Many thanks to Rick Spreitzer for the below feedback:
I first ran into Michael Stone while shopping for a dealer with Composite Acoustics in stock. At the time, I wanted to try the Cargo and Michael was very helpful and responsive on several fronts. He freely offered his time and expertise and ultimately it led me to a great guitar purchase: a CA 7iM-CE with the LR Baggs I-Mix system. This guitar has quickly become a mainstay for live gigging and I use it as a companion to my tried and true CA Performer (also with the I-Mix system). The 7-series offers me the right combination of plug and play constancy (between it and the Performer) and it’s own tonal uniqueness (due to the more vibrant top with it’s unique integrated bracing as well as the off-set sound hole).
But let me back up a step here: Michael’s time, expertise and fair dealing landed me more than a great guitar. He also has given me an ally and sounding board in the unique world of carbon guitars. He clearly knows his stuff. He is generous and on point with his information. I’m grateful for the relationship with Michael Stone and MacNichol Guitars and Mandolins and don’t hesitate to steer folks his way.
If there are fair and decent forces to the universe, more folks will be singing a similar tune about Michael and MacNichol.
Many thanks to James Cannon for the below comments:
A couple of years ago, I owned a Larrivee L10 and was approached by another person with the proposition of a trade for a Composite Acoustic Bluegrass. I liked the idea of not having to humidify another guitar, so I made the trade. I was really blown away by the looks, sound, and craftsmanship put into this guitar. I then found a used GX player, and purchased it also. What a great sounding guitar, and again, no humidity problems. I had heard about the newer offset sound hole models by CA, so I set out to find a dealer to purchase a new one. That is when I found Mike at MacNichol Guitars. I got to talk with him for some time, and ordered a new 7i. Shortly after, I also bought a Cargo for travel use. One of the deciding factors of dealing with Mike was, first of all, his price. Can’t be beat anywhere. On top of that, he offers a 30 day money back guarantee INCLUDING SHIPPING! Unheard of anywhere else as far as I know.
Since then, I bought a 5i from Mike, which came in with a few small manufacturing defects. I contacted Mike about them, and the next day, he sent me a return label for the box along with a full refund. Now that is service.
My family and I were going to go to the Carolinas for a week, but first a stop at Disney World for 3 days. I packed the car and threw the Cargo in the trunk. We got to the hotel only to find it was too early to check in the room, but my son wanted to go to Disney, so we left the car in the parking lot, boarded the shuttle, and went to the park. For those of you who haven’t been to Florida in July, trust me, it gets pretty hot. We returned around 4pm, checked in, unloaded the car to the room. When I pulled the Cargo out of the gigbag, it was almost too hot to hold, but it was still in perfect tune with no ill effects! That, my friends, is durability! I think you could float these things in a pool for a week and nothing would happen to them except the strings might rot off. I since sold the Cargo, but have another one on order because I miss it so much.
It’s really nice to just pick up a guitar and play it with no worries about temperature or humidity. It’s also nice to find a dealer like Mike at MacNichol with no worries about getting the best price and industry leading service. Thanks Mike!
Here are some pictures of a CA GXi model with carbon burst finish. With the integrated bracing, you can see the bracing showing through on a carbon burst top, which is why most CA i Series are painted rather than revealing the carbon fiber. However, CA will soon be producing some GXi models like this one.
At this angle and light, you don’t see the bracing.
However, when the picture is taken with a flash, the bracing stands out.
At this angle and normal light, you can see the bracing through the carbon fiber.
Same angle but with a camera flash, and the bracing is more easily seen.
As a longtime buyer of acoustic guitars–and a longtime buyer of CA Guitars–I’ve never had a buying experience as pleasant as dealing with MacNichol Guitars. Their customer service and prices were the best I’ve ever encountered. All my questions were answered promptly and thoughtfully. During the process of waiting for my “on order” guitars, I received several updates which helped with peace of mind and always made me feel like I was up-to-date and a part of the process (rather than just a nameless customer).
As a business owner myself, I try to be the business that I would want to deal with. It is absolutely clear that MacNichol has that same philosophy. From their prices, to return policies, to helpfulness and friendliness, they are second to none. By second to none, I mean the best–the first place anyone should go to buy their next guitar.
