Opeongo 00 Solid Wood Small Body Acoustic
The Opeongo is a solid wood 00 acoustic guitar with a remarkably rich and resonant voice for its size. Designed for long sustain and complex harmonic overtones, it offers the comfort of a small body guitar without the thin or compressed sound often associated with compact acoustics.
The Opeongo Philosophy
In 2012, we encountered a small body acoustic guitar that completely changed our understanding of what a compact instrument could sound like. Until then, most small acoustics we had played produced a thin or overly compressed voice. This guitar did not. It had richness, sustain, and harmonic complexity that seemed impossible from such a compact body.
When we asked how they had achieved it, the answer surprised us. The key was not simply premium tonewoods or craftsmanship, but the neck-to-body relationship itself. A traditional dovetail neck joint allowed vibration to travel more completely throughout the instrument, creating what we think of as a larger “virtual soundbox.”
The Opeongo was designed around that philosophy. Its goal is not volume for its own sake, but richness, resonance, sustain, and immersive harmonic overtones from a comfortable 00-size acoustic guitar.
Hallmark Features
- Solid AAA-grade Sitka Spruce top
- Solid bookmatched African Mahogany back and sides
- Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fretboard and bridge
- Vintage-style open gear 18:1 Grover tuning machines
- Slot head headstock
- 12 frets to the body
- Comfortable 00 small body design
Direct to musician
I may be the smallest guitar of the family but that doesn't mean I'm shy.
My dovetail neck-to-body joint (the only proper way to join the two) is the secret to my expanded "virtual" sound box.
My open pore finish is thinner than thin so my top just vibrates and vibrates and vibrates. Talk about orchesteral!
Specifications
Dimensions
Materials
Extras
Description
Building a small-bodied guitar is easy. Building one worth listening to is far more difficult.
For years, most compact acoustics we encountered shared the same limitation: a thin or compressed voice that sacrificed richness and sustain for comfort. We wanted to create something different — a true 00-size solid wood acoustic that still delivered the immersive harmonic character expected from a MacKenzie & Marr guitar.
The Opeongo took more than two years of experimentation, prototypes, and collaboration with respected luthiers before we were satisfied. We began by rethinking the relationship between the body, bracing, and neck itself.
Its highly sculpted X bracing supports the solid quarter-sawn Sitka Spruce top while allowing it to vibrate as freely as possible. The solid African Mahogany back and sides complement the geometry and tonal character of a smaller-bodied instrument, contributing warmth, clarity, and harmonic balance.
Just as importantly, the Opeongo’s neck and traditional dovetail neck joint were designed to transmit vibration throughout the instrument, extending resonance beyond the body itself and creating what we think of as a larger “virtual soundbox.” The result is exceptional sustain, rich harmonic overtones, and a remarkably immersive voice for a compact acoustic guitar.
The Opeongo is equally rewarding to play. Its 12-fret-to-body design reduces stretching and creates a more relaxed playing position, while the 1 3/4-inch nut width encourages precise and comfortable fingerpicking.
All MacKenzie & Marr guitars include a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing or material defects. Play the Opeongo in the comfort of your own home for a full week. If you don’t fall in love with it, return it for a complete refund, including shipping costs.
Every Opeongo includes a hardshell case at no additional cost.
Videos
Joseph
Stephen
I've never had a 12 frets to the body guitar before, but it only took me about half an hour of playing to become comfortable.
I've had it out to open mics, and with the Anthem system installed, it performs beautifully.
I guess the thing which surprised me was how full and balanced the sound is for a small body guitar.
I honestly don't believe that there is a better 00 guitar available at this price point.
Eric
Drew
1. I bought this for my wife, opened it to check for damage (None, packed incredibly well!) and I thought I’d play it for a minute. Well, one minute turned into sixty, as I went through blues, folk, blue grass and 80’s/90’s music. Loved playing it, but I had to repack it.. it was a gift after all!
2. We are both Martin snobs. I have a long history with the company, going back to the 90’s when Tiger Bloom ran it. The Mackenzie & Marr guitar I bought surpasses the Martin 00 line in playability, sound and tone. Now, I want one of their 12 strings for myself!
I often find the finish on smaller manufactures to be lacking, like Martin Mexico production line. It just lacks the smoothness, and a finished aesthetic. I went over every piece of it, from the matching grain alignment to neck smoothness to fret height.
This is 100% an under priced instrument. It feels and plays like a high end ($4k-$7k) work of art. I’m no musician, I just play at the guitar. Playing on a Mackenzie & Marr will never get old. Great experience from purchasing to playing. On a fun note, I called them to see if they had any merch, and John Marr actually answered the customer service line. Too cool!
Thanks all!
Joseph
With a little arthritis in both thumbs, the C shaped neck helps a lot. Love the case and the light
weight of the Opeongo, makes it easy for me to take it to my lessons. Like most people, the idea of buying a guitar without seeing or playing it seemed a little scary. But, no regrets !!!!!!!!!
