The Ian Tyson Inspiration Acoustic Guitar

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The Ian Tyson Inspiration Acoustic Guitar

A solid wood Florentine cut-a-way acoustic


The Ian Tyson Inspiration solid wood acoustic
Availability: 
Preorder

The Ian Tyson Inspiration is a solid wood Florentine cut-a-way acoustic guitar crafted with AAA grade Sitka Spruce and book matched Bolivian Rosewood.

We are now taking pre-paid pre-orders for late November delivery.

Suggested Retail Price: 
CAD $3,299.99
Your Price: 
Price:USD $1,049.99

When we found a special stash of rare bookmatched Bolivian Rosewood with both heartwood and sapwood, we knew it was destined for an exceptional guitar. We challenged our workshop artisans to craft a one-of-a-kind model defining the art of building a MacKenzie and Marr acoustic.

They asked for inspiration, so we turned to our old friend in Alberta. Ian Tyson had definite ideas about what he wanted. The result of his input, together with the skill of our craftsmen, has delivered an exceptional solid wood Florentine cutaway - the Ian Tyson Inspiration, the newest MacKenzie & Marr Guitar.

A Florentine cutaway, one that comes to a sharp point, differs from a gently curved Venetian cutaway in more than just visual appeal. With a Florentine cutaway, the guitar is constructed as a symmetrical full-body model, and then the cutaway section is removed. The sidewall of the now-detached section is inverted and re-attached, creating the unique Florentine profile.

Because of the skill, time and difficulty required to craft a genuine Florentine cutaway, they are not as common as the Venetian version.

Please note:
The blend between dark heartwood and lighter sapwood varies from guitar to guitar. No matter the blend between the two, we guarantee that your guitar will be a work of art. (NB. Jerry, our luthier, and John waste a lot of time simply marvelling at each guitar as they prep it.)
The black pickguard on the sample is just plain ugly. All production guitars will have the clear pickguard pictured in the image gallery below.

Owner Reviews

ERIC from KINGSTON, ON

Thu, 05/13/2021 - 17:19

I recently purchased an Ian Tyson inspired cutaway. It is the most beautiful acoustic that I have ever seen. Everyone who has seen the guitar comments on its beauty. It has a sweet sound and the balance from the high e to the low e blends beautifully. The neck is quite similar to an electric and as it comes equipped with light gauge strings it is very playable. I purchased the Tom Rush Signature dreadnaught #55 back in 2012. It has more bass and volume that the Ian Tyson but doesn't have the same balance. I have gone into music stores and played their high-end guitars. I found none that sounded any better, or as good, as either of my MacKenzie Marr guitars. As it turns out, I have two amazing guitars for far less than than than I would have paid for a mid-level "brand name".

Deric from San Diego

Thu, 04/08/2021 - 08:35

Hello, I received my Ian Tyson yesterday and the problem I'm having with it is I can't put it down. It is not only a gorgeous piece but plays and sounds just as wonderful as it looks. Craftmanship is exquisite. The setup is right around where I like it so no need to adjust for now. This is going to age nicely. One other problem is pickguard or no pickguard but I'll eventually get that worked out. Thank you for your honest advertising and keeping your quality at such a high level. Deric

Kevin from Knoxville

Mon, 04/05/2021 - 09:42

Just received my Ian Tyson model and I cannot believe how amazing it is. Bright, projects and incredibly full sounding! Stunning guitar! Playing this Friday, Saturday & Sunday and this is my main guitar now! I would say that these guitars are way better than a $3000 Martin! Just ordered a Algonquin 12 string now! Thank you so much for these guitars! I cannot believe I waited so long!!!!

Angus from Victoria

Mon, 04/05/2021 - 09:41

What a lovely guitar! All my guitar-playing friends are envious. It's great.

Richard from Montreal

Mon, 04/05/2021 - 09:39

I would like to state that I have found your guitar that I bought from you an exceptional piece of craftsmanship. Of all the guitars I've owned, and that is quite a few, this is the one I've always dreamed of owning. It looks very good, plays very well and makes me feel so comfortable playing it.

milovan from parkland county

Tue, 03/09/2021 - 09:42

Not much to say Guitar is excellent,rich beautiful sound,realy enjoying to play . Thank you.

Gary from Cranbury, NJ

Tue, 02/23/2021 - 14:11

I could not wait to get my hands on this guitar after reading about it. I was surprised to take it out of the box and find it was more than it was cracked up to be. It is beautiful and the tone is on a par or better than my other guitars that cost 3 to 5 times as much. The setup was very good. I have been playing for 63 years and have played many other acoustic brands and types. This rates among the best I have had the pleasure of playing. I am almost afraid to play it out on my different venues :). A work of art. Hats off to Mackenzie & Marr.

Lorn..(Guitar was a surprise gift ) from LYNDEN Ontario

Thu, 02/18/2021 - 15:15

The tone is superb. I am getting readjusted to steel strings and the neck width after 10 years of playing a classical nylon stringed Yamaha. Ian and Sylvia were the first concert l took myself to. I play blues and folk for my own enjoyment. Usually finger picking style. The guitar and amp were a gift from my family. Certainly the best guitar l am likely to own though my 50 year old Framus is pretty good.

John from Baldur

Wed, 01/27/2021 - 11:43

I am very pleased with this guitar... There are several note worthy points. Aesthetic Beauty: One of the most beautiful instruments I have seen, let alone owned. The sap wood which runs throughout many parts of the guitar is beautiful against the dark tones of the rest of the instrument. Being a Florentine cutaway adds to the overall beauty while also implying that I might have the need to move that far up the neck.(I don't) The high gloss finish made it difficult to take a picture of it to send to friends. It was much like trying to take a picture of an unframed mirror, but in real time it looks fantastic and enhances the depth of the finish. My only complaint is with the clear pick guard. As with my other MacMarr purchase, a Tom Rush Naked Lady, it came with an uninstalled clear pick guard. The Naked Lady pick guard was much thinner and so less visible when installed. I like the look of pick-guard-less acoustic, but I also like the protection a clear guard provides. I realize I am being "picky"... Playability: As I play sitting down, the size of the guitar probably comes into play more so than for a standup player. I have owned my Naked Lady for a number of years, and find the this guitar much less tiring when played for extended periods. It sits comfortably on either leg, allowing me to shift my siting position, and I don't have the feeling of having to reach over the guitar in either position. The neck is well suited to my hand and style of playing. Sound: I had anticipated a much quieter guitar compared to the aforementioned Naked Lady. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that while perhaps not quite as much bass, it performs wonderfully through all ranges in both strumming or picking styles. Although I have yet to test the electronics in anything more than a LoudBox, the LR Baggs system is the same as in the Naked Lady, so I am not concerned. The guitar came well packed in a quality hard shell case. Although not needed the 7 day satisfaction guarantee gave me reassurance that I could change my mind if not happy. Great purchase experience of a great guitar. Nice addition to the stable... "I can drink too much whiskey, smoke too many cigars, but I'll never have too many guitars." JJ

Enderson from Montreal

Wed, 01/27/2021 - 11:40

Hi there, I am disappointed with the product I got: - Frets were quite sharp on the extremities, requiring filling; - The Electric pick up that came with the guitar came unglued after a couple of weeks. I have to re-glue it - and most importantly, there is a significant amount of buzzing, which varies by where in the fretboard one presses the strings, but the bussing is everywhere to a degree but much stronger on the lower strings and in the middle of the fretboard. Very disappointing given the price of the instrument. Not sure anything can be one, but as a consequence, I have not used the guitar that much at all, having to fall back on my old guitar. Regards, Enderson (From MacKenzie & Marr - Enderson, we'll be reaching out to you tomorrow. Sharp frets and buzzing strings are often a sign of a dry guitar, but dry or not, they can both be corrected, usually quite easily. We want you to enjoy your guitar so look for our call.)

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Specifications

Dimensions
Neck Profile: 
shallow "C"
Frets To The Body: 
14
Scale Length: 
646 mm (25.4 inches)
Fretboard Radius: 
355mm (14 inches)
Neck width at nut: 
43 mm (1.7 inches)
E to E string spacing at nut: 
3.5 cm (1.4 inches)
Body Style: 
Jumbo Florentine Cut-a-way
Width at Upper Bout: 
29 cm (11.4 inches)
E to E string spacing at saddle: 
55 mm (2.15 inches)
Width at Waist: 
22.5 cm (9 inches)
Width at Lower Bout: 
41cm (16 inches)
Body Depth: 
10 cm (4 inches) at the neck - 12.5 cm (5 inches) at the end-pin
Body Length: 
51.5 cm (20.5 inches)
Materials
Body finish: 
Gloss laquer
Neck finish: 
Hand buffed sastin laquer
Fretboard and Bridge: 
Macassar Ebony
Neck: 
Solid Indonesian Mahogany
Tuning Machines: 
Grover vintage open gearing high ratio (18:1) tuning machines
Body Back and Sides: 
Solid Bookmatched Rare Bolivian Rosewood
Body Top Wood: 
AAA Solid Sitka Spruce
Nut & Saddle: 
Genuine bone
Bracing: 
Hand scalloped Spruce X bracing
Strings: 
D'Addario EXP16 light gauge (12-53) coated Phosphor Bronze
Extras
Case: 
Professional arch top hardshell case (included at no additional cost)
Electronics: 
Optional L.R.Baggs Anthem

Photo Gallery

Videos

Guitar Mama

,

Rob Lutes Plays the New Spruce and Bolivian Rosewood Ian Tyson Inspiration

,

The MacKenzie & Marr Ian Tyson Acoustic Played By Rob Lutes

Fall In Love In Less Than a Week

Try any of our guitars in the comfort of your own home. If you don't fall head over heels in love within a week we'll arrange to take it back and issue a full refund (including shipping).
*certain conditions apply.

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