McPherson Guitars Factory Tour Part 1

Acoustic luthier Matt McPherson has twin passions-guitars and archery. Since his youth, McPherson has been fascinated with the physics of wood, but his seemingly polar-opposite interests turned out to complement each other, leading him to develop forward-thinking designs in both realms: He's founder and CEO of Mathews Inc., an archery equipment company that's world-renowned for its light carbon-fiber compound bows, and the lessons he learned about bow tension and dampening translated to intriguing designs in his flattop acoustics-including cantilevered necks and offset soundholes that facilitate a lengthened soundboard, and his trademark "overpass-underpass" bracing, which he says improves sustain by minimizing vibration-absorption points. Today, McPherson leads a team of six luthiers who craft 150--200 exquisitely made boutique acoustics per year in their shop in Sparta, Wisconsin.
In part one of our McPherson shop tour, we see how two luthiers oversee the entire construction of a McPherson acoustic's body, how the company's custom-machined solid-aluminum side benders contribute to consistency, and how their weather-impervious carbon-fiber neck inserts eliminate the need for a truss rod.

[@dustoff85]

I have never heard of McPherson Guitars and I have been playing since 1967. I made my first guitar in 1967 with a guitar neck I found in a dumpster behind a guitar shop in Covina California. I am totally blown away with the quality that McPherson puts into their guitars.

[@lech000]

Its nice that you introduce the craftsman it is quite a respectful

[@christianboddum8783]

That inlay at the end was plain crazy!!!

[@ChuckNorrisCutsMyLaw]

These are guitars for doctors and dentists, not for people looking for a guitar they want to play everyday. I picked up a Canadian built Godin Seagull twelve string for $400 and it sounds amazing. I couldn't tell you if there's a spec of dust in the finish because I couldn't be bothered to look for one, I'd rather spend my time playing it than inspecting it.

[@AlexandruVizitiu]

Snake Plissken Hello, my friend! To tell you a little bit about what kind of fucked up world we live in...I'm a doctor (radiologist) in Romania ( a member of the EU) and I earn about 500$/month. Useless to say my guitar is not even close to a McPherson, or even your Seagull. :) In all other aspects, I perfectly agree with you. Best of luck!

[@AZCobraman]

Fortunately there is a butt for every seat.

[@CMCustom112]

ABSURD level of detail! Guitar building for the obsessive compulsive.

[@raytristani]

Loved the dish fixture!

[@nuendo2496]

I played 3 McPherson guitars at Gruhn when I was in Nashville in 2008. These guitars could be bought for about $3000 each at the time. I had my 1978 Larrivee with me. The McPherson's had everything I wanted in an acoustic guitar..except the sound. My Larrivee won the shootout.

[@WaRLoKWYATT]

My god these guitars are works of art.. just perfect.

[@armurano5093]

Yeah...I keep thinking of Salvador Dali when I look at the sound hole about to slide off...

[@tizianacallari7446]

these guitars sound like heaven!

[@thedaver8]

awesome video! I love these videos about McPherson! Makes me want to save up and buy one! :D

[@pwman]

Notwithstanding Joe Scorpion's comments, I do truly admire their commitment to quality! What an amazing and interesting company. Had not heard much about them prior to seeing these videos.

[@mateoronnie3933]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does anyone know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I somehow lost my account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me!

[@jeremyjaziel7404]

@Mateo Ronnie Instablaster =)

[@mateoronnie3933]

@Jeremy Jaziel thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm in the hacking process now. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@mateoronnie3933]

@Jeremy Jaziel it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thanks so much, you saved my account !

[@jeremyjaziel7404]

@Mateo Ronnie no problem =)

[@deuliciousmafuka3604]

there doing it right there wish i had one of those magnificent axes

[@Colhogan06]

These are definitely great looking guitars. I had to chuckle a little at 27:59 or there about when he said they use an Italian UV polyester. Not because of what he used it was how he pronounced it. He pronounced it "eye-talian" UV polyester. My sister pronounces it that way and I always ask her this after she says it. "I'm just curious but can you show me where "eye-taly" is on the map. I think I missed that country in school." She always gets a laugh out of it tells me to stop picking on her. It's all in good fun but anytime I hear someone pronounce Italy or Italian that way I have to laugh because it reminds me of my sister and our joke between us.

[@paulschuller1167]

Por favor .... pongan subtítulos en Spanich, debe ser interesante el no perder algunos datos técnicos sobre estas Guitarras que son muy Buenas.

[@Lilahowell]

Science + craft. What's not to like? Value is in the gift of who can afford. And so is choice.

[@midi510]

You can't see the detail in the mother of pearl, because of the lighting, but it's there. The "thorns" are ebony and the headstock cap (and back and sides) is koa. The top is Adirondack red spruce; bridge, bridge pins, binding, and fretboard are ebony; neck is mahogany.

[@frontbum420]

The lighting is hard to see but is that a piece of leadwood in the back of the bottom shelf?

[@larscw74]

Those are awesome guitars

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

To get a hand crafted acoustic guitar of this caliber in6 months?? Thats insanely fast. Very cool

[@davidchavez4464]

Dean doesn't get paid enough but I bet he loves his job

[@NJP76]

He does love his job. I know him personally. (I work for one of the McPherson Companies.) He knows his stuff. All around good guy.

[@seanhornibrook]

wow that last inlay shot...

[@SaintsPurgatory]

"it looks like we're looking at a shelf full of wood. Larry can you explain to me what we're looking at?"

[@renatoroldansogueco8340]

F A N T A S T I C ❤️☝🏽😊 !

[@MrPedur]

I really like your videoes- but please show some readymade guitars at the end !!!

[@LarsUelf]

THIS IS SPARTA

[@williammatneyii3218]

Have you ever made one out of a strut? McPherson struts. Srry I couldn't resist.

[@marknorris8615]

obviously truly beautiful guitars and the integrity of craftsmanship is basically perfection, but is this stuff made to be seen or heard ? is it art or a guitar, if you afraid to pull it out of glass case ??

[@rushing2travel351]

I'm going to stick with my seagull. Well built, sounds great, plays great, and I dont have to sell a body organ to buy one! Seagull is an everyday, working musicians guitar. I am thankful for the Godin folks.

[@chrisrunnels4483]

Someone feels the same way you do and has less money to spend. Someone else also feels the way you do and has way more to spend. Some people could never spend $400 on a guitar, Some could cautiously spend a hard earned $15,000 and be very happy about it. Value is perceived. Yours and someone else's is only different, not right or wrong.

[@fredeagle8766]

very pretty.

[@ThaoAustin]

they found a spec of dust in the finish! WOW now that is a quality instrument.

[@AZCobraman]

"Nobody touches Eric's wood" And that make's Eric sad....

[@cheryllakin3077]

That friendly guy with the microphone knows all about wood. Hahahahaha.😁

[@stevehanwright481]

Wow

[@revolutionday1]

Can we all just go ahead and agree that anyone commenting on this video, probably isn't able to actually afford the product featured here?

[@weeweedup]

Did he say neck life was but "7 or 8 years" or did I 'mis-hear" that?

[@midi510]

He said that Ryan has been shaping their necks for the last 7 - 8 years.

[@semilivesixstringstrumist5595]

This is how it should be done Gibson,Fender!

[@telescopereplicator]

More and more guitar players are discovering that by sanding the back of the neck you can create a very smooth playing guitar. A very shiny, smooth surface will create more and more sliding resistance, when your hands get sweatier. By sanding it the sliding resistance is diminished significantly, resulting in more precise and faster hand movements. To this day, I have not seen any professional guitar builder apply this feature to their guitars. Since McPherson builds guitars as close to perfection as humanly possible, I wonder if they will ever adopt this feature and apply it to their guitars. If the customer so wishes, ofcourse.

[@GradyPhilpott]

Eastman did on their Ray Benson signature guitar. The entire guitar was given a satin finish, not just the neck.

[@9171961jo]

1:34, Funny!

[@jodyjames3199]

They also make the finest archery equipment - Matthews Compound Bows and Crossbows

[@NJP76]

Yep. I work for Mathews (Genesis line), and absolutely love it. Best job I have ever had, and plan to retire there...if I ever do decide to retire. :) (I know this is a very old comment, but thought I would reply anyway.)

[@MrUltracoin]

Very nice company! I dont like how the mold is less wide then the guitar rib I like this better : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6rbq2l4nqySgKc. Mcpherson company has a very nice standard of quality. Building good guitars is higher on their ladder then getting profit. I believe every company in the world should be like this, done out of passion and persuit of learning how to be better. Offcourse you also have to be economical, if you don`t make profit you will not last. 9:43 As a technology otaku : those press molds look awesome!

[@semilivesixstringstrumist5595]

That carbon fiber rod is so good! Don't see that in a 6000.00 Gibson or Fender. You don't see that in a 1200.00 Gibson or Fender! You don't see it at all!

[@nelsonpinero3750]

Sasafras!! Nobody touches Eric's wood or tools? So 1 guitar is done by one person? Wow!

[@spitfirekid1]

“No one touches Eric’s wood.” 😳

[@adamhill3107]

I know those guitars cost a lot of money but how in the world do they all make a living and keep the factory open just making 4 or 5 guitars a week?

[@jaezryl]

Make them even more expensive

[@seanc3810]

Very nicely made but I still think Lowden look more hand built/less machinery

[@ThangNguyen-ll2lj]

👍👍👍👍👍♥️

[@dethstormpx4]

nobody touches my wood either.......bummer!

[@cheryllakin3077]

I bet that nice fella with the microphone would touch your wood?? He seems like the type to touch lots of wood😂teehee

[@midi510]

Come on, you touch it all the time.

[@zygmaszel8376]

l like that , nobody touches his tools ....🛠🗜🔧

[@weeweedup]

I would pay another 20k for a neck that did not need a neck reset for life. Not so much the money, but being without your main guitar for that length of time is frankly odd. perhaps eveyone should buy 2. Truss rods are rather useful. Maybe that was a mistatement.

[@1777DK]

If you don’t play it perfectly, it has to go back ...

[@waynegoff764]

Willie Nelsons guitar must be galling to these people.

[@timhallas4275]

Willie Nelson's guitar doesn't just look like shit, it sounds like shit too.

[@fretwireonfire]

It's a distinct sound...part of what makes him one of a kind. I'll take that over uninspired playing on a guitar that the player is afraid to dig into to bring the songs out.

[@rhettbh]

anybody else notice how much this guys voice sounds like David Strathairn's? hahaha

[@rjlchristie]

And then the customer uses it to play his encore piece, "I walk the line".

[@billmartyn-smith1364]

for these prices I think they've been sniffing solvents.

[@manuelbettencourt4213]

I know lots of people who spend 30,000.00 to 50,00.00 for a car or pickup, what is the big deal of 8,000.00 for a guitar that you will use every day? and that never loses its value if you want to sell it.

[@billmartyn-smith1364]

Only an idiot would waste the money to feed your ego

[@weeweedup]

7 to 8 years between neck resets.

[@mikeh4800]

The add before the show of 1:30 is WAY TO LONG. Almost did watch the show.

[@HBSuccess]

Hopefully he meant 6 mo LEAD time/backlog and not "build time". They have enough machinery/automaton that the body/neck box should be a week tops, and another week for finishing. I'm also sick of the CNC apologists. They should be bragging that every possible repetitive grunt operation that can be eliminated - has been. It sounds like they have all kinds of crazy bottlenecks (4 necks per WEEK?) All this adds up to something that is going to be extremely expensive when it wouldn't need to be. What if it took PRS or Martin a week to make 4 necks ?

[@kevinb2014]

+Tioga Fretworks RPS and Martin crank out guitars a lot faster because they're much cheaper guitars, and not up to the quality level of McPherson. If you want to talk about custom $15,000-$20,000 Martins, then you're in the comparable range of McPherson, and I suspect they spend a lot more time building those than the standard models hanging in any Guitar Center.

[@bamf0805]

kevinb2014 prs makes some incredible guitars. meth. not even once.

[@jrbr549]

My father is from Sparta, WI and asked if I'd ever heard of these and maybe I should get one. Does anyone need a kidney?

[@C322C]

should've chosen someone that knows what theyre talking about

[@timhallas4275]

If I win the Lotto, I'll buy a whole years production, because 50 years from now they will be selling for $1.5 million each. My grandchildren will be billionaires.

[@charlestorruella5571]

Not once do this disease say one thing about the sound it was all about how it looked no thought that the sound transfer into the neck would be toned down by a pice of brass and a giant screw

[@DrRJE80]

PG should get some lav mics.

[@conservative-proud]

My question is why are there 9 people that don't like this video ??

[@bluegrassbarry]

9 people who don't like liars.

[@conservative-proud]

bluegrassbarry liar ?? How so ?

[@bluegrassbarry]

bunch of lies. cnc for accuracy. bolt on necks. real reason for this is so they can make more guitars faster and make more money.

[@lliguf]

real musicians just care about the way that the guitar sounds..not so much as to how it looks...If you can afford that much for a guitar,, then you have too much money..period.... ""if a "piece of crap" guitar sounds great.. that's the one you'll always want to pick up and play. not because it looks pretty.. They should change the name of this company to "ANAL FINISHED GUITARS"

[@tizianacallari7446]

+lliguf what is wrong with you? Your comment shows that you can't handle your bitter jealousy, maybe you are a very bad musician, so bad that you can't even hear the difference between something good from something brilliant.

[@marknorris8615]

+tiziana callari i disagree with your comment, lliguf has a point, even eric clapton talked about owning guitars that he was afraid to handle, ironically, lliguf, was talking about an idea, where you are attacking him for his free speech rights, if anybody has issues, you might want to look in mirror, please don't troll me

[@WheresMyDinner64]

Completely agree, it's always the sound and feel/playability that matters. However, I have played a McPherson before and the neck feels amazingly comfortable and the guitar sustains for days. I wish they were uglier so they would be cheaper, but you can't achieve such perfect, reliable transfer of energy that results in everything they put out sustaining and playing so well without being anal about everything. And because their manufacturing process alone will put the guitars at a certain price point, I suppose it's not a huge percentage more cost for them to source the best woods too. If you can afford it, you can afford it and good for you. If you can't there's still no reason to hate on guitars that are fantastic.

[@wilson4180]

They are so anal about guitars bc that’s how the market is today. Look at what’s happened with Gibson in the last few years. Ppl are ape shit over the smallest little details on lacquer finished guitars, it’s lacquer.. it’s going to look good for maybe a year. Most guitar companies won’t use lacquer now bc they know ppl want perfection and lacquer is a gamble. Polyurethane and polyester is fool proof. Know what you’re buying before you buy it. Don’t every except a lacquer finished guitar to flawless bc as soon as you look at it, it cracks.

[@johnhanek167]

Instead of picking apart what each person has said I have a better suggestion. If you can't be positive, then keep it to yourself. Adjust your attitude internally. Whether you realize it or not, your outlook has an effect on how you feel, how you look, how long you will live and where you will find yourself when you pass.

[@guitartalk4909]

I wish I was rich 😡

[@messmer777]

Jeez, must be a real party to work at this place. Ugh

[@myfriendpete]

At 14,000.00 a guitar they don’t need to make anymore then 250 a year. What a JOKE!! I want to know where is all the people that are buying all these new guitar that are being built. Geesh!

[@NSResponder]

Why are you all butthurt just because someone's making a product you can't afford?

[@efrancis19]

As much as I hate to reply to a two-year old comment, I can't help myself. Anyway, go to mcphersonguitars.com/artists and you will see some of the people who are buying these instruments. We're talking Grammy award winners, not Pete sitting on his porch playing for his buddies.

[@charlestorruella5571]

Go though and watch this video closely I counted 14 necks under construction and it didn't look like it took a week to get for they do more then 4 necks a week they just want to keep that low number rep so they can charge more and UK don't think the quality was all that good I've seen builders on KZbin that are way better and turn out a better looking and sounding

[@giuseppemare]

Trashing a neck because of a small pitch pocket is irresponsible. Can the forest sustain this kind of build for generations to come? Instruments are made to be touched. I understand the splitting hair mentality but you can go to far with anything.

[@216trixie]

Nonsense. Small company. Tosses a few pieces of wood out a year. "There goes the forest". lol. Most companies aren't this picky, so I think the trees will be okay. Besides, most all guitar wood now comes from sustainable forests.

[@giuseppemare]

216trixie You're argumentative and not well informed but that is a choice you have decided to make. If you had any interest in the thought behind what I said you'd do research into the sustainability of forests and how that compares to what was originally there and also you'd think a little about what it means to live in a throw away society. I would like those pieces they throw away made into finished guitars and given to children who can't afford guitars so they can have the beautiful healing power of music in their lives. It's more human to do this don't you think then throwing it away?

[@sturmbannfuhrertoht6249]

Joe Scorpion and The Inspectoids There is a finite amount of resources on this earth. The outcome will be the same in the end. Yes, we live in a disposable society. I understand what you're saying.

[@216trixie]

Terry Silver There is a finite amount of trees?

[@giuseppemare]

216trixie I think your question is a serious one and I also think you're honest in what you don't know. The internet is a great tool for research. Wood is a precious resource and yes tone woods are rare and becoming rarer every year. How long do you think it takes for a tone wood tree to grow to maturity? You can't just plant a sitka spruce tree in your backyard and in 20 years you have a tone wood tree.

[@bluegrassbarry]

bunch of lies. cnc for accuracy. bolt on necks. real reason for this is so they can make more guitars faster and make more money.

[@raytristani]

That’s about the size of it. I believe whole heartedly, that one guitar should be made by one maker. I detest this factory mentality. It truly takes the soul out of the build. And CNC’s? Really?

[@DaigoParry]

bluegrassbarry Cnc only for inlays

[@okiwatashi2349]

True, it’s very hard to make any real money doing everything by hand.

[@XxTownGamersxX]

Those guitars are not the one with soul, this is an empty shell which is disrespectful eather for wood and for people... :( They are just money hunters...

[@bluegrassbarry]

I don't like anything about these guitars.

[@johnhulsker9123]

Yep, this is bullsh*t