This Guitar Will Probably Upset You - McPherson Touring Review

[@ARKenMan]

I have had the McPherson CF Sable for maybe 2 years now. I freaking love it! The thing never goes out of tune (slight tuning of course) but it's always ready to go. I don't have to worry about Arkansas weather with the high humidity or freezing cold in the winter with no humidity. Plugged in it sounds like a $10,000 guitar. It plays like a dream. It's not as loud as wood of course but it's darn near close. It's the Honda Accord of guitars in my opinion in that this baby will look and play the same for a long, long time. I love the touring version too and I really appreciate the great review.

[@pmrparts]

I’ve had the McPherson Touring Guitar since 2015. The early models were called Kevin Michael Touring Guitar. I have gigged with it every week for the past eight years. They are great guitars.

[@JohnOtis_203]

Tremendous Review!! I have to agree with everything you said--which was quite a bit! The sound is SO wonderful, it's almost difficult to think of as a traveling guitar. I think of it as a shape-shifter. Precisely as you mentioned: it's all in how you approach it. Perhaps it's just me but, if I'm looking for a boxy parlor sound--no problem, cedar-topped rosewood grand concert? It will get you there! Top end has all the articulation of a Maple SJ. Absolutely NO idea how. Perhaps I'm kidding myself, but try putting one down . . . 😎

[@Tony_Leonardi.]

I am blown away by how awesome this sounds

[@AllenDresser]

Dylan - your analysis and explanation of the design and engineering in this guitar is excellent. I totally agree on your comments on "action" being not dependent on the neck relief , but on saddle height. Would the Touring work for a singer songwriter gigging situation and have enough low end for a full sound? Or would the Sable be a better fit?

[@bzeines]

I own a Sable and have been very happy with it. I chose it for very specific reasons. Living in NYC my instruments have been victim to the constant changing climates. Especially in the winter when dryness is the worst. I have struggled with humidifying instruments but with no success. I researched a lot of carbon fiber guitars and have always wanted a McPherson. The wood instruments have climbed dramatically in price but these are in the range of affordability and they have a fabulous sound. Whenever pros get to try my instrument they are always surprised at the response of the sound. It is what works for me in my finger style modus. If you want an instrument that is impervious to the conditions, this is it. And it also sounds fabulous.

[@markhedger6860]

Great video, would be good if you could do a side-by-side comparison of the Sable versus touring.

[@patrickhanly7458]

Nice discussion on this guitar. I have a 3.5 Englemann/Indian and the Sable. The wood one stays home and is used for recording and the Sable is used to gig. No worries about weather, temp, etc. It is an unbeatable combo.

[@tamierik]

You are 100% correct in everything you said about McPherson. I have owned two so far in my life. The current one is a MG 5.0 Bear Claw Sitka / Macassar Striped ebony. It’s an expensive guitar at almost $13K brand new, but it is without a doubt the finest guitar in quality, sound and playability that I have ever played. It’s literally a work of art. A buddy of mine travels full time in a motorhome as well. Recently he asked me about a good guitar for him. I suggested the McPherson carbon fiber. He bought one and is constantly thanking me and raving about it. I’m new to your channel but I’ll be watching many of your videos as I’ve already found several of them very helpful. Thanks and congrats on your travel McPherson. PS. Anyone who says anything negative about a McPherson without a truss rod doesn’t have the slightest clue what they are talking about so ignore it!

[@CoreyMcConnell]

Thanks so much for the McPherson coverage. I’ve learned a lot from your videos, especially enjoyed the string comparison Idea: nobody has tested the tonewood amp out on a McPherson What do you think of products like tonewood / hyvibe?

[@ratwynd]

At one time I had a 3/4 scale Composite Acoustics carbon fiber Cargo model. US made and sounded great. If I get another CF guitar it will only be a full size model. I could never get used to the short scale. The other issues I had were with string buzz. That was the big one. 0.13s were too soft on mine. Due to the short scale I had to start with a set of 0.14-0.59 and add a 0.16 for E and 0.20 for B to prevent (most) buzz. I am a heavy hand flat picker I will admit. I am in FL and I never had any neck issues, flat as can be. You are right about NO need for truss rod. I have a Revstar Yamaha that also has carbon rods. I have never touched the truss rod on it.

[@shadowminister4090]

I have bad shoulders and very interested in smaller/narrower guitars. Looks amazing

[@cchavez248]

This is my dream guitar, if McPherson comes out with a nylon string version too, I'm going to be a poor sommabish for a while! Thank you!

[@colb999]

I'm about to order an Emerald Virtuo so I'm all about the carbon fibre. I've had my CF bass for 37 years, another for 33y and have never bought into the whole tonewood for solidbodies argument. I have a $US200 synthetic Nova without the onboard electronics I use all the time. It's stable, decent sounding, light and fun and I use it on the beach regularly.

[@shanewalton8888]

I presently only have one acoustic, my Yamaha. P 16:24 erhaps after my daughter gets through college I can pick up one of these.

[@janmichaeljablonsky9847]

At the two-minute mark, I had to go to that old cliche, "shit or get off the pot." And come on, you don't purchase a carbon fiber guitar because it's cool, you buy it for its virtual indestructibility.

[@DylanTalksTone]

No… that’s why YOU buy it.

[@BartMigal]

Great video. I'd love to hear an a/b with some other wooden steel string guitars.

[@BillySoundFarm]

I'm happy that you're happy

[@sailfastnow]

How are doing bends with the 13s on the Touring?

[@peterkirdan]

Agree 100%. I have the sable and love it. Got a touring on the way from Ish Guitars. This too is my third Carbon fiber guitar (the other is CA) and McPherson is by far the best. Thanks for the review.

[@jamwayofaiken-augustarockb7643]

Ever since I got my El Cheapo nylon string guitar I really haven't played steel string acoustics... so have you put nylon strings on that guitar is that a doable thing? Btw, Dillon is DA MAN

[@jamwayofaiken-augustarockb7643]

Sharing this with a friend who plays bass so my next question is do they have bass versions?

[@ernestochang1744]

having a truss rod inside of that thing will probably break the truss rod, wont do much to actually bend the neck back into shape, before you could even move that neck an inch the steel reinforced truss rod would likely just snap inside providing no useful benefits you could even stand on the neck of the guitar and no bowing would happen, i have a mcpherson carbon sable and while i havent stood on the guitar i've had it for 1 year now and i have had no need to touch the tuners, it is so stable that for upwards of a year now with same strings i havent needed to touch the tuners yeah the fretboard is a bit gunky but that's my own sweat not really a problem with the guitar, a cool thing i would have loved to see is stainless steel frets

[@benjamincardenas4219]

I just bought the Traveler brand Redlands’Koa 23.25 scale, guess I’ll have 2 travel guitars now lol.

[@goatsmakesoapco.9113]

What would happen if I used 12s on it? More prone to buzz?

[@DylanTalksTone]

Nope it’ll be fine

[@kevinwatkins3856]

That thing is beautiful, and sounds amazing, imo.

[@limpneckmike]

I would love it if we started to get carbon fiber bolt-on necks from companies like Warmoth that make replacement necks that don’t require a truss rod. Is that even possible? I don’t know, but that’s what this made me think of.

[@larryfouch6113]

I believe I saw Darrell Braun video where he demoed a carbon strat replacement neck

[@donnylee1992]

I'd love to do an A/B with a touring and my Composite Acoustics Cargo. Or maybe someone has already done one and put it on youtube. lol

[@DDE_ADDICT]

I wonder what a carbon strat would be like

[@ghergen]

I've played them and they are great but I'll stick with my Emeralds. Well done video.

[@rodhier2516]

What do you like better about your Emerald guitar versus a McPherson, both being carbon fiber? Thanks.

[@ghergen]

@@rodhier2516 As stated, both are excellent. The Emerald allows a great deal of customization. Emerald also offers a larger variety of models, etc. The soundhole on the Emeralds, for me, is a large plus.

[@kevinwagner8697]

sounds like a wood guitar even better than the Sable!!!!

[@ben-jammin2284]

Regarding your comment that everything from McPherson will be perfect! Absolutely not!! As much as I love my McPherson Sable that I purchased brand new a few weeks ago, it was anything but perfect out of the box having several QC issues. For an instance, the volume control was literally hanging in the sound hole not adhered to the top. Also, there is an imperfection in the honeycomb carbon fiber top under the clear coat. The fret board has a dimple in it near the first fret. The 12th fret wire is uneven and discolored. The back of the headstock has paint smears and the case had a long scratch on it. I expected waaaaay more after dropping $3500! I had high hopes as I’ve always owned and loved my Mathew’s Bows, but this was incredibly disappointing given their supposed reputation. I almost sent it back for a refund or exchange, but my god she sounds absolutely stunning and can’t go a day without her now. So in the end, I can live with the imperfections. They definitely need to work on their QC though!

[@DylanTalksTone]

You should have returned it. That’s interesting. This is literally the first I have ever heard of

[@ben-jammin2284]

I agree, I should have exchanged it. I was actually in the process of boxing it back up, but kept playing it, unable to put it down lol. Then thought, well maybe tomorrow, then the next day and so on to the point beyond the return window!

[@ben-jammin2284]

I should also note, I bought it from LA Guitar Sales (an authorized dealer for McPherson), but not direct from McPherson. It is possible the dealer caused these issues. I should have added that in my initial post.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Yeah. I would have definitely reported it. I can tell you that McPherson themselves do not tolerate imperfections and would have immediately corrected it.

[@CoopsXKE]

My Touring came to me in 100% perfect condition. It has hung on the wall next to my desk for three years. Other than string changes the guitar has needed absolutely nothing and it looks as good as the day it arrived. My only complaint with the Touring is the scale length. They should have tried to build it with a 24” scale. It wouldn’t make any difference in its portability as a travel guitar but it would make it easier to play. A slightly longer scale length would also help produce a bit more volume.

[@ghergen]

Had a Rinsing without a trussrod, big mistake. I believe Dylan is VERY wrong concerning this. When changing string gauge, etc it's important to have the truss rod.

[@DylanTalksTone]

a McPherson is not a rainsong. Get a real Carbon fiber guitar and you won't have a problem.

[@ghergen]

@@DylanTalksTone I've played several of the McPhersons both carbon fiber and wood. They are very nice (especially the wood ones). I'll take my Emerald(s) any day over the McPherson. Try an Emerald and you might learn something. Of course, it's all subjective. I might know a bit more about acoustic guitars than you realize.

[@DylanTalksTone]

@@ghergen Then you should know that the McPherson Is Engineered to not need a truss rod. That is NOT subjective

[@ghergen]

@@DylanTalksTone I do know the McPherson is engineered to not need a truss rod (as was the original Rainsong). In my humble "opinion" this is a major flaw. Realize, I do not dislike the McPherson. I have played several and like them. Having said that I believe there are better carbon fiber guitars available. Apparently your videos guide/influence many end-users. I think you do your viewers a disservice when you so heavily promote one product over the others. Your evaluation does not appear to be subjective. Enjoy playing your McPherson and continue playing it.

[@TheRyanshamowski]

@@ghergen I agree with you. Just because something is "engineered" a specific way doesn't make it impervious to scrutiny. Things are engineered badly all the time which is why recalls and new product lines exist. And having owned both mcpherson and emerald. I will take the emerald in comfort, volume, and quality any day. I mean Dylan himself has the Sable on his website for sale. I thought that was the best acoustic ever made.

[@CraigFlowersMusic]

Just to play devil's advocate here . . . If it's so stiff, how does it vibrate? If they put one in there even though it's not needed, they could actually sell them.

[@scottclark7592]

I dont know, but it sure rings like a bell,,,,,,,

[@dmeenkster]

From what I’ve read elsewhere, the stiffness of the neck transfers the sound energy to the saddle and the guitar top. Matt McPherson manufactures Matthews hunting bows and has dedicated himself to stopping string noise in bows, thereby gaining a lot of understanding of how strings transfer sound. Taking what he’s learned over to making string noise in the guitar.

[@DDE_ADDICT]

It's the SVJ of acoustics

[@DylanTalksTone]

Excellent metaphor

[@EddieCostelloMusic]

Sounds like a boom box and the crystal crackling mids are awful not a nice sound.

[@ahall3823]

I disagree. You need to be able to adjust the truss rod to suit your playing style. Some people like a flat fretboard, some people like a bit more relief. You need to be able to make those adjustments. With carbon fibre necks, you cannot tailor it to your own preference.

[@DylanTalksTone]

How many Mcphersons have you played?

[@ahall3823]

I’ve played at least a dozen carbon fibre guitars and bass guitars, or guitars that have a carbon fibre neck. I agree with you on a couple of points. 1. They are stable. Next time I need an acoustic guitar for a road trip, I might get one. 2. For acoustic guitar, there is less need to adjust the relief in the neck based on playing style (but I disagree that it should be nearly flat).

[@DylanTalksTone]

You didn’t answer my question

[@nicholasaragon4126]

I'd say it's less of a preference and more of an unfortunate necessary compromise due to the construction. If the frets are laser-perfect then the neck can be straight with action set to taste based on how hard you strum. Some of my guitars need some relief, some can stand to be dead straight. It varies.

[@ahall3823]

@@DylanTalksTone Apologies for not answering to your satisfaction. I've only played the one McPherson acoustic guitar. It was fine.

[@cchavez248]

Ummmmm. 🤤. Mine?