Here for sale we have a McIlroy A30e acoustic guitar in Natural Semi-Gloss finish. Made in Northern Ireland in 2018, this guitar comes from Dermot McIlroy's workshop in Antrim. McIlroy is a former employee of Lowden, which was based in Newtownards before it became Avalon in 2003. McIlroy set up shop with his wife Colleen in 2000 after financial difficulties at Lowden in the late '90s resulted in lay-offs and reduced hours. Owning his own brand allowed Dermot to experiment with his own designs and alter some of the techniques he had learned at Lowden, His guitars were tested and loved by local musicians, and have continued to grow in popularity over the years thanks to their excellent build quality and beautiful sound.
 
An all-solid construction is employed, comprising East Indian Rosewood back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, Mahogany neck with a Maple/Rosewood centre stripe, Rosewood headstock 20 fret Ebony fingerboard bound with Maple & Rosewood, along with an Ebony bridge. The body is double bound in Maple & Rosewood, whilst the top is adorned with handsome Maple purlfing and a Paua Abalone rosette. A Bone saddle and nut are fitted, along with a set of Gold Gotoh SG381 tuning machines. An L.R. Baggs M80 magnetic soundhole pickup has been fitted, and features a master volume control, active/passive mode switch and a battery level indicator button. 
 
The Mahogany neck plays very well, with a profile which might be described as a very soft 'V' shape. This offers a highly ergonomic playing experience across the register, perfect for a wide range of playing styles and techniques. The profile has slightly broader shoulders than is typical for a 'V’ profile, and it tapers off to more of a 'C' shape as you climb the register. In combination with a strong volute, the neck provides a unique and refreshing playing experience which matches the strikingly beautiful aesthetics. The Ebony of the fingerboard is luxurious under the fingers, and with its traditional 16" radius delivers a flat and consistent playing surface, which is more easily accessible thanks to the single cutaway design. 
 
The acoustic voice of the McIlroy A30c is rich and finely balanced. The selection of tonewoods used in its construction is absolutely exquisite, with beautiful silking visible across the Sitka Spruce top. An incredible attention to detail has been spent on the fit and finish on the instrument, which whilst adding a sense of luxury and exclusivity to the playing experience ensures that the sound of the instrument matches its stunning looks. Lows are warm and rich without being too soft, the midrange is open and clear, and a sizzling top end brightens up every note played. The addition of the L.R. Baggs M80 pickup adds the versatility required for live and recording situations, meaning this exquisite instrument can be used in a wider range of musical contexts. 
 
Please be aware that for international buyers import fees are not included in our postage and packaging cost, this only covers the cost of the guitar being sent to you. Import fees will be charged by Customs upon the guitar's arrival in the recipient country. Due to Brexit, this also applies to EU buyers. We advise checking the total import cost with Customs as this is not information we are able to accurately provide.