McPherson Acoustic - anyone other there help with picking best size (3.5, 4.0, ??)

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dave Barnes on January 15, 2010 at 6:42pm

Hey William,
I have a 4.5 rosewood/Adirondack McPherson that I use in worship. It has a fantastic rich sound with strong bass. If I were to do it again, I think I would go for the 3.5 to get a brighter sound, but that's an individual preference. Regardless, it is a joy to use with my band and cuts through amazingly well.

Permalink Reply by Steve Azulay on January 15, 2010 at 9:52pm

I dont know what size but I do know that...God willing...I would love to have one too. I know I didnt help you but i read "mcpherson acoustic" and started typing lol. God bless you brother. Maybe you can play "audition" different ones and see which one fits you. In Jesus, Steve

Permalink Reply by David Harrell on January 16, 2010 at 2:28am

I played a McPherson at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville earlier this week. It was a 4.0 with Beeswing Mahogany back and sides and a Red Spruce top. It is now my dream guitar. The sound was the most amazing thing I have ever heard. I play a Martin DC-Aura and this guitar absolutely blew my guitar out of the water. I am now working on the plan to hopefully acquire this guitar sometime this year. I really liked the size and feel of the 4.0 versus the 5.0.

Does anyone know what McPherson model Paul Baloche plays?

Permalink Reply by Dave Barnes on January 16, 2010 at 3:51am

He plays a 3.5 but I'm not sure of the wood.

Permalink Reply by William Doney on January 19, 2010 at 9:56pm

thanks for the info guys, particularly the clarification on Baloche's McP. i did talk with him last spring at a CMS conference, and now that Dave mentioned it, he does play a 3.5. and if i remember correctly, it's the englemann top/rosewood sides. he said he also has a 5.0 (don't remember the woods), but he said it wasn't as comfortable to play, so he uses the 3.5 (at least on tour). maybe the 5.0 for recording?

anyway, thanks for the help. i found a 3.5 in Canada and called to put a deposit on it (with hopes of paying it off before i'm too old to play!), but it was sold just days before..... ouch! so the journey continues..... thanks again...

Permalink Reply by David Harrell on March 6, 2010 at 1:42pm

I just upgraded to a McPherson Guitar. After playing every McPherson they had at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, I decided on the 5.0XP with Port Orford Cedar top (it's actually a variety of Cypress) and Black Flamed Acacia back and sides (also know as Australian Blackwood). I really like the sustain of the 5.0 versus the other models and felt it fit my style of playing the best.
The tonewoods make a huge difference in the sound. My decision came down to the Port Orford Cedar versus Carpathian Spruce for the top and Black Flamed Acacia versus Macassar Ebony for the back and sides. There is a section on the McPherson Guitar website on tonewoods.

I played it in worship for the first time this past week. The tech guys say they don't have to adjust a thing. The sound is as pure an acoustic sound as you can imagine. I do agree with Dave's comment about the 3.5. If you're looking for a brighter sound, you might consider the 3.5. I have found the 5.0 to have a very warm sound but that it still works well with the band.

A quick note, if you ask, McPherson will send you a feedback buster for free for playing in a band. I found I didn't need it, but it would be helpful with some sound systems.

Permalink Reply by William Doney on March 9, 2010 at 9:20pm

man i'm crying looking at that photo!!! :) beautiful guitar... funny, i may have played that exact guitar last fall when i was in Nashville for a conference! now you need to update your photo to show it off!

and on my continuing quest, i've upgraded to a taylor 814CE. so i'm getting closer... lol.. also spent some time on the phone with the guys at McPherson (great guys, answered all my q's). and they've steered me toward a 4.0 or 4.5, since i need a guitar that work well w/out a band too.. although the 3.5 is supposedly super comfortable to stand and play (due to it's slimmer design), the the 4.0/4.5 is closer to what i'm currently using.

till then, enjoy! and let me know if you ever need someone to babysit it..

bill
music.WilliamDoney.com