Lakewood and McIlroy

[wildernesschild]

Hello, I'm new here in this forum, but I was wondering if anyone could help me. I have recently decided to start looking into the smaller shop guitars...i.e. Lakewood and McIlroy. I am doing this because while I was mostly looking at Taylor and Larrivee guitars, the shops around me are very biased and will always show and push Taylors at me. This is probably because they are the most expensive guitars at the stores and they have a room for just them. That's not to say that I don't like them, I do. However I can't get a good comparison between the two makers because nobody has high end Larrivees for me to play. Does anyone know anything about Lakewood or McIlroys? I play about 90% fingerstyle with my nails if that matters. Any pros and cons would be helpful. Any owners? Thanks a lot for your help.

 

Wildernesschild

[54merk]

http://www.dreamguitars.com/mcilroy.htm#mcilroy_bio

 

Dermot McIlroy has an excellent reputation. I have never held one of his guitars in my hands but I do know that he got his start working under George Lowden and have read nothing but great things about his instruments. These are not mass produced instruments.

 

http://www.lakewood.de/en/indexe.htm

 

Lakewood guitars are factory produced guitars made in Germany. These are not at all common in the US so I have never seen one of them. They are well regarded instruments.

 

I would definintely look at both of these manufacturers.

 

Most stores carry the mass produced instruments. Martin, Taylor, Gibson...these are widely distributed and very well known brand names. There are so many other fine makers out there that there is no reason not to consider alternatives.

 

I am guessing you live in UK or EU since you mentioned two European produced brands.

[wildernesschild]

I actually live in Orlando Florida. I mentioned these to European builders because they are the only "not mass-produced" guitars that I know of in my price range. I cannot afford a Lowden or a Collings, Goodall etc. so these seem like a good alternative. I liked the Mcilroy because of the walnut cedar combination. However, the people I have been asking questions say that cedar doesn't improve as much audibly over the years as spruce and others. So, I really am in a bind here because I love a lot of the guitars I play, but I like the idea of someone watching over my guitar as it is being built, even if they aren't actually building it. It just sounds better to me than my guitar being one of 200 made in a day by some machine that doesn't even conciously know what it is doing. Anyway, I appreciate the reply Merk, thanks.

 

Wildernesschild

[Feste]

I might be able to give you some input on these guitars. I have owned a Lakewood M-32c and currently own a Mcilroy AJ25cx. I currently own or have owned Goodall, Larrivee, Alvarez, Fender, Seagull, Taylor, Yamaha and other guitars. I tell you this so that you will understand when I say that my Mcilroy is by far the most incredibly instrument I have ever owned! It has something to do with the walnut cedar combination along with the light bracing and overall configuration of the guitar. It is immensely playable and is perfect for alternate tunings which is primarily what I use. The Mcilory is at its finest in open C or low C...simply spine tingling!

On the other hand I had high hopes for the Lakewood and it simply disappointed me all the way around. It was stunning to look at but had no soul. Keep in mind some people simply love them. In fact, the guy I sold my Lakewood to really likes it. What I have found, through research, is that Lakewoods are inconsistent, so it it is the luck of the draw- some are great, others, wel....... That is not the case with Mcilroy. Also, worth considering is that the M-32 is a smaller guitar than the AJ. Are you looking for a small jumbo or more of a concert size guitar?

 

If you would like further info. I would be happy to send you sound samples. I would recommend Shoreline Acoustic for either of these guitars... John Fowler is the guy to talk with. They also have considerable info. about both on their site.

 

Good luck with your choice

[54merk]

+1 Shoreline Acoustic is a great store.

 

Keep checking out their Dutch Auctions. I've seen McIlroys on it in the past so keep an eye on it.

[catdaddy]

 

Originally posted by wildernesschild Hello, I'm new here in this forum, but I was wondering if anyone could help me. I have recently decided to start looking into the smaller shop guitars...i.e. Lakewood and McIlroy. I am doing this because while I was mostly looking at Taylor and Larrivee guitars, the shops around me are very biased and will always show and push Taylors at me. This is probably because they are the most expensive guitars at the stores and they have a room for just them. That's not to say that I don't like them, I do. However I can't get a good comparison between the two makers because nobody has high end Larrivees for me to play. Does anyone know anything about Lakewood or McIlroys? I play about 90% fingerstyle with my nails if that matters. Any pros and cons would be helpful. Any owners? Thanks a lot for your help. Wildernesschild

 

 

If you want to check out some high end (or low end) Larrivees take a road trip to Carlton Music in Lakeland.They've got a nice selection. Decent folks there too!

[SurrealMcCoy]

I will also give a big endorsement towards my McIlroy A25 (Cedar/Walnut MJ), along with dealing with John Fowler from Shoreline. Superb instrument from a superb dealer!

[wildernesschild]

Thank you all for your help. I will definately check out the Lakeland store catdaddy, its not that far from me at all. It is good to hear that the walnut cedar is so nice! I may indeed have to go with the A25c. Ahh the fun of the hunt I suppose. I will decide some day.

[Cams]

+1 on Shoreline!

 

My first solid-wood guitar was a Lakewood M-14. I've played many Lakewoods and Feste's comment about their being inconsistent has made me sit up and think about that. On reflection, that might actually have some truth to it. My M-14CP most certainly did have soul, but only one other really stood out when I tried it, an A-32. That thing was alive!

 

Incidentally, the other guitar in the running at that time of purchase was a Taylor 314CE. The two were very similar and it was a close call.

 

As for the McIlroy, I think it depends a great deal on your style and what particular role you want your guitar to fill. As Feste says, McIlroys excel at altered tunings and are particularly well suited to Celtic fingerstyle. I've only tried one or two and that was at a festival where I was approaching overload, so I'm certainly no authority, however it speaks of their character that the first one I picked up at the festival was in DADGAD.

 

I'd really like to try them again, knowing what I know now.

 

I know John at Shoreline has a returns policy -- might be worth considering that as an option?