Do McNaught Guitars live up to the hype? [Archive]

View Full Version : Do McNaught Guitars live up to the hype?

Jack Bulter

11-07-2007, 08:10 PM

I'm currently playing Brian Moore MC/1's. I love these guitars, but I was unaware of them until about a year ago because they're so rare. I didn't know what I was missing out on. Is this the same with McNaught guitars? Everything I read about these guitars make them sound like they're the greatest guitar around. I would be looking at a 24 fret G5, but at the price they're going for I'd have to sell both my MC/1's to get one. Ed Roman says the early models were built to a higher standard than current models. Have any of you found this to be true?

paintguy

11-07-2007, 08:19 PM

First of all, don't believe a word Ed Roman says.:crazy

I own 1 McNaught Vintage Singlecut and it's build, fit, finish and quality is extremely high. I can't imagine a higher standard.

As far as selling your stuff and buying a McNaught, I would say you need to try one out before you jump to any conclusion.

Every guitar is different and you need to find the one that speaks to you. What rocks your world may not be the same as someone else. I have had some fairly inexpensive guitars that I like more than some very high end or boutique guitars.

That being said, try out as many McNaught G5's as you can.

danhops

11-07-2007, 08:51 PM

Build and materials are 2nd to none IMHO. I had a VDC that I couldnt find fault with, but it just wasnt getting along with me so I sold it. I preferred my Hamer Studio to it by a long shot. YMMV.

whoismarykelly

11-07-2007, 08:59 PM

I think there is potentially merit to Ed Roman for once because the construction of the Mcnaughts has changed dramatically since 2000 or so. They used to have no heel. Now they have huge neck heels. I think everything used to be 24 fret and now most that I see are 22.

k_kush

11-07-2007, 09:17 PM

I wouldn't put too much stock into ERs comments. He used to be a distributor of DTM guitars. I believe DTM severed ties with the man (as did PRS) and he started dissing the newer guitars. I've been to his vegas shop and he does have a fairly large stock of older DTMs which explains why he might present these as better.

That said, I custom ordered a McNaught Signature Phoenix a few years ago and asked about the neck heels. I was told that the Dave found the larger heal to be more stable and to provide greater sustain/tone (makes sense - more wood!). I can say the build quality is exceptional and a work of art. The neck is amazing and has a girthy V contour that must be played to appreciate (Dave does offer different neck carves). Dave also offers both 22 and 24 fret models (mine is 24).

These guitars aren't cheap and I don't think I would order another. Not that this guitar isn't awesome, but I have one now and there are so many other guitars I'd like to have too. I'd definitely try to play one before plunking that kind of coin down. Know what you want before you order and don't sell your other equipment until you've decided it's for you.

http://www.kushmanguitars.com/images/shared/DSC00126.jpg
http://www.kushmanguitars.com/images/shared/CIMG1648.JPG

You really think that neck heel looks "huge"???

Zilmo

11-07-2007, 09:57 PM

Ed Roman is a biased, opinionated, arrogant dipshit.

Oh, and McNaughts rock.

bRoWn-SoUnD

11-07-2007, 11:50 PM

Ed Roman is a biased, opinionated, arrogant dipshit.

Oh, and McNaughts rock.

Dipshit yes :rolleyes:... And McNaughts guitars focking KILL :RoCkIn

Paulpuck68

11-07-2007, 11:57 PM

+ a billion on the dipshit comment.

Import Bakers Rock!!!!!

Whoops I mean McNaught's rock!!!!!!!!! Seriously though I do like McNaughts but if you like your Brian Moore's that much I sure wouldn't sell them without trying out a McNaught for yourself first. They are some very highly thought of guitars on the board that just do nothing for me but in the hands of another player are incredible so try as many as you can and find the ones that work best for you.

prsflame

11-08-2007, 08:50 AM

Live up to the hype? I don't think they get enough hype around these parts, but I'm biased:Dhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/ishmael109/DSC01166-1.jpg

Matt F

11-08-2007, 09:24 AM

Live up to the hype? I don't think they get enough hype around these parts, but I'm biased:Dhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/ishmael109/DSC01166-1.jpg

Um.. Hey buddy.. Ole Pal.. Um.. Can I come over and play :o ?

My 02 DC was amazing. Build Quality and tone. Sadly, I could not bond with the V in the neck.. That was the only issue I had with my DTM.

DiazDude

11-08-2007, 09:42 AM

The only McNaught I've ever played or seen for that matter is my VDC.
I ordered it totally blind. A risk..yes. And the outcome was x100 what I expected. It is simply the finest electric guitar I've ever owned or played.
Ill be getting with the Daves for another one next spring.
Here it is...And the masters who built it...
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d136/diazdude/mcnaught027a.jpg

Oh yes...Ed Roman is a puppy molester.

drezdin

11-08-2007, 09:55 AM

My McNaught Experience...

Place order with R*man and give money
Talk to Daves Many times.
I hear "neck is cut out"
then "waiting on pickups"
then "coming along"
then "close to paint"
1 year passes..
then "sorry Ed and Dave don't talk any more"...."you can order your guitar through ____"
I ask "can I get guitar that was built for me through the other dealer?"
I hear... "guitar was never started"

I manage to get money back.

DiazDude

11-08-2007, 10:20 AM

drezdin

11-08-2007, 10:33 AM

How does Dave telling me "guitar is close to paint" and then telling me the guitar was never started = honesty.

paintguy

11-08-2007, 10:52 AM

How does Dave telling me "guitar is close to paint" and then telling me the guitar was never started = honesty.
Too many scenerios to know what happened. Maybe the guitar was started. Maybe it was built. Maybe Ed Roman had it. Maybe Ed Roman never paid McNaught in full.

Too many maybe's involved.

I agree that take Ed Roman out of the equation and you would have a guitar. From what I understand after I did some checking, McNaught delivers a custom order in about 6 weeks. That is amazing!!!!!!

lbenf

11-08-2007, 11:16 AM

I have a Ed Roman era, handmade, pointed headstock, heeless Phoenix that just kills. They "walk the walk"

Trebor Renkluaf

11-08-2007, 11:27 AM

My McNaught Experience...

Place order with R*man and give money

You lost me right there.

k_kush

11-08-2007, 11:54 AM

Wow...6 weeks is great... when I ordered mine in 2003, I waited over a year for mine. However, mine had pretty intricate hand done inlays. 6 weeks is awesome. Problem with anything over 6 months is my tastes change too often and I want to change specs.

Martin Horne

11-08-2007, 11:54 AM

Guitars are a matter of personal taste. For me, my 2 McNaughts are my 2 favorite guitars in 44 years of playing high end instruments. The feel of the neck, the build quality, attention to detail, and tone make them the Holy Grail for me. If you deal with a reputable dealer (or directly with Dave and Dave as I did), you will have no problems. I speced out my second McNaught and had it within 2 months after placing the order. During those 2 months I received numerous emails and phone calls concerning the specs and details because they wanted everything to be perfect. My 2 McNaughts are the only guitars I gig with and they will be with me for life.

paintguy

11-08-2007, 12:09 PM

fewmm

11-08-2007, 12:10 PM

Ed Roman is a biased, opinionated, arrogant dipshit.

Oh, and McNaughts rock.
Right on!:rotflmao

fewmm

11-08-2007, 12:15 PM

My 02 DC was amazing. Build Quality and tone. Sadly, I could not bond with the V in the neck.. That was the only issue I had with my DTM.

You should try the 59 profile...I had the same reaction to the V neck that you did. This neck profile on my latest one is perfect for me. VERY different indeed!:BEER

jeffhef

11-08-2007, 12:35 PM

I own number 18...

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2/jeffhef/McNaught/HS-Back-S.jpg

Here's the back...

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2/jeffhef/McNaught/BodyBack-S.jpg

Front in case you're interested...

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2/jeffhef/McNaught/Body-Front-S.jpg

You can compare mine with a newer one in one of the earlier posts. My other humbucker guitar is a Les Paul. My LP is 8 pounds. The mcNaught feels about 2 lbs lighter. The frets on the McNaught are jumbo's and the radius is flatter...maybe 12.

I live close to Scott Splawn's shop. He's a McNaught dealer. David builds in Shelby...about 20 miles from my house. I've had an opportunity to play probably 5 other newer McNaughts other than mine. Yes...the neck joint is different. But the guitar's he produces now are excellent. I love mine and it has become my main guitar. I find it easier to play. However, the heel has no bearing on this. It's more the frets and radius. As well as the contour of the back of the neck. Mine is kind of like a 60's profile but a little flatter feeling. I have small hands and it just fits me to a T.

I know David asks a premium for his guitars and you have to wait. But tghe workmanship that goes into them is no less than art. Check out this inlay...

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2/jeffhef/McNaught/Roses-S.jpg

The guys not just a luthier...he's an artist. That being said...the standard disclaimers apply. It may not suit you. It may not end up being what you were looking for. With me...this guitar felt perfect for me the first time I played it. In fact, this guitar was given to me. A fellow TGPer owned it. He loaned it to me about 4 or 5 years ago. I never could get up the money to buy it. A few months ago he and I had lunch and he gave it to me. He told me he felt it was made for me and I should have it. Imagine my shock!!!

I can't say enough positive about mine. BUT...this is definitely my dream guitar. It's almost like David measured my hands and made it especially for me. From what I understand he will do almost that very thing. If you can describe to him exactly what you want he can build it.

As I mentioned...I've played other McNaughts and I thought they were fantastic as well. BUT...AGAIN...if you already have a guitar that you know in your heart is the perfect guitar for you...then look no more.

This guitar will be mine until the day I die. Then my kids can fight over it.
:p

jeffhef

MOJO

11-08-2007, 12:58 PM

most likely there was probably some shenangins on Roman's end, Dave may have completed the guitar and sent it to Roman for delivery who in turned sold it to someone else who offered more for it ( if Ed easily refunded you ...something like that "probably did happened" ) or Ed forgot your order or something like that ( he's been know to not write things down )... never put anything past ED

no Builder is perfect and things do happen but i've found the 2 dave's to be pretty straight shooters overall...

rgsss14

11-08-2007, 02:22 PM

Hey guys - let's stick to the discussion about McNaughts and leave ER out of it - we've heard that story a billion times....what might have the potential to be a cool, informative thread might then get nixed, otherwise.

PaulP is absolutely right - these guitars play like butter and the fit and finish are amazing, and the asymmetric neck carve is unique and very comfortable. I had a Moonscape that I hope Radax is still enjoying. The guitar just didn't do it for me tonally and it was too garish for my tastes, but that is a personal opinion. I definitely need to revisit them...there are a few pieces over here at Eddie's in town.

MrMo

11-17-2007, 04:38 AM

I've owned several of these guitars, very early models and more recent. I currently own two. They're first rate in every respect. I believe he's improved as a builder and prefer the more recent guitars. Just because a guitar is old doesn't make it better. There's an old saying: "They don't make 'em like they used to--and they never did."