Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends
archtop.com
2003 McPherson MG 5.0XP Bearclaw
Status: For pricing and hold status for this instrument, please check our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may by found here. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please contact [email protected].
SN# 0137
Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Body depth at endpin: 5"
Materials: Bookmatched quartersawn solid bearclaw Sitka spruce top; solid figured bookmatched Indian rosewood back and sides; solid mahogany neck; solid ebony fingerboard; solid ebony bridge with compensated bone saddle; curly koa binding and soundhole rosette
Hardware: Gold Schaller 16X1 tuners, Baggs under-saddle pickup with thumbwheel volume control, endpin jack.
Notes: "Set the soundboard free." This could be the motto of master luthier Matt McPherson and his crew, who build their highly innovative guitars near Wisconsin's scenic LaCrosse River. McPherson's design concepts are aimed at increasing resonance through reducing drag on the instrument soundboard. The braces are triple-laminated for stiffness, after the legendary Larson Brothers' guitars, and hollowed and arched so they span each other without interference. The cantilevered fingerboard is suspended off the top in archtop style, to reduce damping. The neck is stiffened with a jumbo sized carbon fiber reinforcing rod and connected to the body with constant tension washers to minimize flex. And finally, the signature elliptical offset soundhole is designed to free the maximum expanse of the soundboard, to enhance overall resonance.
The result is an instrument with an impressive roster of celebrity fans, including Brad Paisley, Amy Grant and Charlie McCoy among many others. Even Wayne Newton plays one, and it's not like he couldn't afford any guitar he wants.
The MG 5.0XP is McPherson's largest model, designed to maximize sustain, projection and bass response. With a full 1 3/4" nut and 2 1/8" string spacing at the bridge, the MG allows unimpeded access of fingers to strings. with a sleek, gentle profile with just a hint of the traditional V contour. The open Venetian cutaway allows free access to the highest frets, and the body is notably well balanced on the lap or the strap. The thumbwheel volume control is tucked discreetly under the soundhole, in easy reach of the player as well.
This eyecatching example is built with a soundboard of rare bookmatched, quartersawn 'bearclaw' Sitka spruce, raked with dramatic cross grain figure from rim to rim. Back and sides are crafted of hard Indian Rosewood for brilliance and punch, and the entire body trimmed with elegant curly Koa binding. The voice is full and open, with exceptional clarity response in the bass register, enhanced by the full depth 5" body. The guitar is in immaculate condition, and comes complete with premium Ameritage case with built-in humidifier, and three compensated bone bridge saddles in varying heights, for optimal action adjustment. McPherson guitars are rarely seen on the vintage market, and this pristine example offers the opportunity to skip the wait list and bag a bargain to boot. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with .013 gauge phosphor bronze strings, and will accommodate lighter or heavier gauges, according to preference.
Case: Deluxe original Ameritage arched plush lined hardshell case.
