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McCormick String Instruments

A luthier for 35 years, Mac’s guitars have displayed in museums. He builds archtops, flattops, resonator guitars, Djangos, and more. He is also a Martin and Gibson authorized repair shop. Tomorrows heirlooms…Today.

52 thoughts on “McCormick String Instruments”

  1. Mac McCormik
    Wayne Jarrett

    Mac was my stepfathe’s brother in law. I have a guitar he made. I love it. He was going to teach me how to build guitars but I was too young and restless at the time. Wish I had spent time with him now.

  2. McCormick Mandolin
    Scott

    Hey, I had purchased a electric mandolin a few years ago from a friend of Macs and was trying to find out if Mac had any family I think his grandson Scott mentioned in this string is around. Wanted to ask a few questions. Thank you

    1. my dad was one of macs best friends
      Phillip Rogers

      i have alot of macs guitar molds and wood benders and a couple of his guitars if want to know more 706-366-0467wgbdz

      1. My Main Man. . .Mac McCormack
        Gary Veylupek

        I used to sweep out Mac’s shop in Ralston, Ne in the Fall of 1973 and Spring of 1974. He taught me a huge amount of love and respect for guitars and other acoustic instruments. I never heard anything about him studying with a master guitar maker in 1964(I’d like to know more about that). I quit my sales job at Hospe’s Music in Omaha, Ne when he took me under his wing. It was quite a ride! Many years later, in the mid 1990’s, when I was shop manager at One World Music(vintage guitars, etc) in Austin, Tx., a young man walked in the store with an acoustic guitar that I recognized as a Mac McCormack-style dreadnought immediately. I began to question him and he said that Mac had guided and helped him make the guitar. That’s when I found out that Mac was in Columbus, Ga. When Mac left Omaha, he had said that he was heading to California. I was surprised to find out that he was on the other side of the Country. I was sad to hear that Mac had passed away several years ago. I have a snapshot of him in his shop in Georgia, with a lady by his side. One of my prize possessions. I sure would like to hear more about his life in Georgia and his work. Please keep me posted. Sincerely, Gary Veylupek.

        1. Gary its Bob McGuire, we
          Anonymous

          Gary its Bob McGuire, we worked together at Hospe’s. We also played the Drawing Room one night. Wow I really mis Mac’s in Ralston. He built me a les paul that had a busted neck, and 5 string mastertone. Ended up trading the for his old blue 57 chev pick up . Call me 4025941792

          1. I'll call you soon
            Gary Veylupek

            Great to hear from you. We have a lot of catching up to do. I still keep in touch, after all of these years with Pat Frampton, in Omaha. He says that Tom Lund(also from Hospe’s) is still around town. Best Wishes, Gary V. P.S. Do you remember the evening that Bob Gibson came in the store?

    1. Need Missing McCormick Label
      Gary Spillman

      I have a parlor McCormick guitar that I bought from the Guitar Shoppe in Auburn after his passing, but it does not have a label. How can I get one of these? Does anyone know how to get a hold of Ann? Mac worked on my guitars for many years and became a personal friend.

    2. Mac McCormick
      Shaun Kelly

      Horror story time!
      A few years ago I played in a rockabilly band, I didn’t have a semi-acoustic but the other guitar player had two (one of them was a McCormick). He played a Gretsch so I asked if i could borrow the McCormick, and I loved it so much that a few years later a called him and asked to buy it.
      He had been given it years before by someone, but had no idea what it was (nor did I at the time), neither of us had ever seen another McCormick, and he and his brother had passed it around between themselves for years, thinking it was a nice guitar, but of no great value.
      Anyway, when I asked to buy it he told me he had sold it to a second-hand shop for £250 (about $350). It was then that I searched the web and discovered how much McCormicks were worth!
      Did I tell? Too right I did!

    3. Re: Mac McCormick
      Todd Moore

      Another guitar player and I were just talking about your grandfather yesterday! Mac was a great person. When my father died in 1995 he left some money for me and my brother to buy something to remember him by, I had Mac build me an acoustic. I have been playing for over 25 years and it is by far the best sounding/playing acoustic guitar I have ever played. I’ll try to get you some pictures of it as well a pics of my aunts 1940ish Gibson acoustic. The top had been crushed when someone stepped in the middle of it. After Mac finished repairing it, by PIECING THE TOP BACK TOGETHER (a phenomenal feat that allowed the guitar to keep its value) I would have sworn it was a brand new guitar. I was absolutely perfect. I think we have before and after pics of it.

  3. Mac McCormick Custom Electric Guitar
    David Strickland

    Scott,
    I have a electric guitar that has a engraved neck plate that says it was built by Mac McCormick and it also has his signature in pencil on the neck. Did you ever know of him building a electric? Let me hear from you and I will send you some pics.
    David

    1. Mack building electric guitars
      Rob

      Last time I spoke to Mack he mentioned building an Eletric. I had Mack inlay one of my electrics.
      Sorry to hear he passed away. I have two of his acoustics, a 6 and a 12 string, both inlayed and hand carved on neck.
      Beautiful guitars I hope I can play again one day. Messed up my right arm in a motorcycle accident.

      Rob

    2. Weiss Guitar by MCCormick
      Antonio

      Hi there

      Does anyone know how to get hold of Mr Mccormick as he has a site or had but does not reply to emails and just impossible

      to find out if he can build a guitar for me or not. I wanted to enquire about his 13 string guitar.

      Been trying for two years now, has he closed down or not taking emails for orders anymore?

      Any info will help.

      Regards

      Antonio

    1. RE: McCormick Guitar
      Johanna Gabbard

      Hi. Your father was very kind to me and took great care in building my beautiful 6-string cutaway acoustic guitar in 1992. I was sorry to hear he had passed away. He had an apprentice, Mike Carter who I befriended in the Army while in Germany. Mike was an apprentice of Mac’s and offered to help me make a custom guitar, generously giving me some of his stashed Brazilian rosewood that he had stored at Mac’s shop. Since we were in Germany (1990), Mike went to Erlangen and hand picked out the German spruce soundboard and shipped it to Mac. I submitted my seashell design to him which he used to make to fretboard abalone inlay and creatively added small shell designs to the saddle and heal, alongside his signature wood carving. It took about 18 months to get the final product, but I was elated to receive it and felt like I made a friend forever. The custom label reads : For my friend Johanna. I visited Mac several times after that just to chit chat and talk about my guitar. He was pretty proud of this one and told me he thought it was one of the best looking guitars he had ever built.

      It is a treasure and will hold on to it for life. I play this guitar regularly and it just gets better with age. I’m happy to send you photos of this “masterpiece” from one of the masters of the craft.

      Regards,
      Johanna

  4. My Grandfather
    Scott McCormick

    If Anyone has any pictures of my grandfathers custom guitars, repair work, and or memorable stories, I’d like to hear from you by email. Please be sure to put RE: Mac Mccormick in the subject line or else i will consider it spam. Thank you.

    1. RE: Mac Mccormick
      D

      I have a McCormick F style flat top mandolin I bought on the Mandolin cafe in 2011. I played it several years and purchased another mandolin. The Mac has sat for a few (5) years while my father was in a sub acute care center. Today I picked up and tuned up the Mac and it still has the classic McCormick sound. I also have a few of his old business cards. He made great stuff!

      D

    2. RE: Mac Mccormick
      Anonymous

      Scott,

      Good evening. I am not sure if you will receive this, but when I lived in Columbus GA in the early 90’s (stationed at Ft. Benning) I would visit Mac on a regular basis. He would perform fret work on my electric guitars and I would always enjoy the conversations we would have about life and Father Patterson (priest at the catholic church in Columbus). Mac gave me two hand made Rosaries he crafted from wood. I remember Ann would be working on her glass projects as you enter his shop and they made me feel like I was part of the family. Sorry for your loss and rest in peace Mac.

      v/r

      Joe

    3. RE: Mac Mccormick
      Nolan Conley

      He made me a baritone ukulele and I think he only made one more. I wonder if you might know about what they might me worth at this time. Please contact me and if we need to I’ll send some pictures.

      Thanks,
      Nolan Conley

    4. McCormick Custom Guitar
      gojogab

      Just found this site and so sorry to hear about Mac’s passing. My friend Mike Carter apprenticed under Mac and he talked your grandfather into making me a guitar as a favor to him. I really lucked out. Mike and I picked out the woods (Brazilian Rosewood and German Sitka Spruce) and I designed the inlay and Mac did the magic. Its a beautiful guitar and an incredible sound. I’d be happy to send you pictures of it. I think Mac was really proud of this one. I sent it back for a simple repair one time and he kept it on display for awhile before sending it back . 🙂 I’m just fortunate to have met such an artist and man. He definitely has left his legacy.

      Johanna

    5. "A Mac McCormick One Of A Kind!"
      Shannon Rae McKenzie

      Hey Scott,
      This is in reference to Mac McCormick, your grandfather & his work. My husband has owned a music shoppe in Auburn, AL for almost 20 years & was friends with your grandfather. He often talks about him & his unbelievable craftsmanship. He also has a couple of his custom built guitars in our private collection and showed me one yesterday that was beyond spectacular! If your interested in seeing the pictures that were recently taken or care to speak with my husband & learn more about your grandfather & his dear friendship with him please feel free to email him, (Mark McKenzie – [email protected]) & he can send you his cell number. The photos should be available on our website soon http://www.auburnguitar.com

      Sincerely,

      Shannon Rae McKenzie
      [email protected]
      Auburn Guitar Shoppe
      762 East Glenn Avenue
      Auburn, Alabama 36830
      http://www.auburnguitar.com
      https://www.facebook.com/auburnguitar
      (334)-821-6818

    6. Re: My Grandfather
      Randy

      I was fortunate enough to find one of your grandfathers fine products in a small guitar shop in Dallas. I still play it, and it still sounds great. The thing almost never needs tuning after sitting for a while. I just pick it up and play it. I can send you some photos if you like. Just let me know

      1. Re: My Grandfather
        Jim Owen

        Your grandad did a lot of repair work for me in the 13 years I was lucky enough to know him. I used to hang out at his workshop quite a lot. Not only was Mac a gifted luthier and guitar restorer, he was one of the best people I have ever met in my life.

    7. mac macormick
      warren kearns sr

      i will send you some pictures and the full story of my dads 1934 dobro that mac restored for me he also built a resonator for my nephew.he was a good person and i thought a lot of him.he was very talented.i just figured out that he has passed and i am sorry,he will surely be missed.when he restored my guitar we agreed on a price and a time line of a couple of months.i had only met him one time he finished my guitar in just a few weeks and called me to come get it.i went and payed about one third of the bill and he kept on telling me to go ahead and take the guitar home till i loaded it up.i paid the bill in full in just a few days and i asked him why do you trust me this much and he told me that he could talk to me a few minutes and new that i could be trusted.i sent him a lot of business after he did my guitar.i just took my wife by the shop the other day because i told her what a talented and good fellow he was.sorry to here about his passing

    8. mac mcormick
      warren kearns

      i have a 1934 dobro that mac restored and a good story behind it and also a picture of he and i holding it.me and my wife went by the shop 2 weeks ago and did not look to be any activity what is the statis of mac he called me the dobro man from camilla georgia.hope all is well with him thanks keith kearns

  5. I met a man in Lubbock in early ’80’s He repaired my ’52 Gibson J45 for several years before in Omaha,ne. Could this possibly be the same "mac"? If so I Would love any e-mails on this because I fell now I’ve lost a great friend also. The guitar world will miss him greatly.

    1. Re: Mac
      gary kent carpenter

      : I met a man in Lubbock in early ’80’s He repaired my ’52 Gibson J45 for me several years before in Omaha,Ne. Could this possibly be the same "mac"? If so I Would love any e-mails on this because I fell now I’ve lost a great friend also. The guitar world will miss him greatly.
      The ‘Mac’ I knew also repaired other string instruments as well, in fact as I remember he was in Texas to look at one of J.Gimbels fiddles. He asked if I knew the difference between a violin and a fiddle, I said ‘not really’. He said ‘a violin was carried in a violin case and a fiddle was carried in a "toe-sack’ He was a very good humorist.

      1. Re: Mac
        Will Moore

        This is indeed the same Mac McCormick. He apprenticed in Nebraska then moved to San Jose then Lubbock TX and finally Columbus Georgia. I have 4 of his guitars and have to say I really miss him.

  6. Mac's Obituary
    J Murrah

    Mac McCormick, a Columbus guitar maker beloved for his beautiful — and beautiful sounding — guitars, died Tuesday, following an extended illness.

    McCormick, was was born Frances but had been called "Mac" since grade school, spent the last 40 years handcrafting the acoustic instruments, which are played by many musicians in the region. He custom-made guitars for their buyers, who would pay a pretty penny for a guitar emblazoned with McCormick’s nickname.

    1. Re: Mac's Obituary
      F. Fussell

      I’ve just learned about Mac’s death–a sad loss for the Chattahoochee Valley and the entire world of traditional music-making in America. His work as a luthier was very important to me in my work as a documenter of traditional music, and also to me and my family as a friend and as an example of making excellence a way of life. Thanks, Mac, for doing everything you did.

      Fred C. Fussell

      : Mac McCormick, a Columbus guitar maker beloved for his beautiful — and beautiful sounding — guitars, died Tuesday, following an extended illness.

      : McCormick, was was born Frances but had been called "Mac" since grade school, spent the last 40 years handcrafting the acoustic instruments, which are played by many musicians in the region. He custom-made guitars for their buyers, who would pay a pretty penny for a guitar emblazoned with McCormick’s nickname.

      1. Re: Bob?
        Mark Evans

        : Hi! I’m searching for a fantastic banjo player named Bob Letterly who attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the late 60’s. He was born in Iowa and would be approximately 60 year’s of age. Every time I hear a banjo I remember him and how he seranaded me many moons ago.

        : Are you the one?

        : Kathy W.

        Hi,
        I don’t know where Bob is now but I wish I did. I was in a bluegrass band with Bob in 1973 to 1975 then lost touch. Bob is one of the finest banjo pickers in the country as far as I am concerned and a decent human being as well…good luck on your search.
        Regards,
        Mark

        1. Re: Bob?Bob lives in Mapleton, Iowa. And he still plays the ban
          loann moody

          :
          : : Hi! I’m searching for a fantastic banjo player named Bob Letterly who attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the late 60’s. He was born in Iowa and would be approximately 60 year’s of age. Every time I hear a banjo I remember him and how he seranaded me many moons ago.

          : : Are you the one?

          : : Kathy W.

          :
          : Hi,
          : I don’t know where Bob is now but I wish I did. I was in a bluegrass band with Bob in 1973 to 1975 then lost touch. Bob is one of the finest banjo pickers in the country as far as I am concerned and a decent human being as well…good luck on your search.
          : Regards,
          : Mark

      2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Kathy
        Kathy

        Hi! I’m searching for a fantastic banjo player named Bob Letterly who attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the late 60’s. He was born in Iowa and would be approximately 60 year’s of age. Every time I hear a banjo I remember him and how he seranaded me many moons ago.

        Are you the one?

        Kathy W.

        1. Robert "G." Letterly aka Firpo Dill
          Anonymous

          I played in a bluegrass band with Bob for two years (1979-1980) and I have many photos, flyers and posters from many of the shows we played. At this time I was playing in three bands (plus having a very full-time job) and had to give up two of the groups. Unfortunately, I gave up the Union Hill Bluegrass Boys and I am now sorry that I did. The last time I saw him was at the Seattle Folk Life Festival, probably about 18 years ago and haven’t seen hide nor hair of him since. But everyone is absolutely correct when they say he is a superb banjo picker, as well as fiddle and guitar. A true talent!

          Buckle Bob Hover

          1. Bob Letterly
            Greg Shuck

            Hi Bob Hover my name is Greg i grew up with Bob Letterly and knew him well. Bob’s first wife lives in Onawa Iowa now

            and i can get in touch with her. Bob lived in Mapleton Iowa till his death in 2017 [I think ] or 2018, he died of cancer.

            Would you foreward the files of the posters, photos, and flyers. I would appreciate it very much. P.S. many of the guys

            who played with Bob locally would appreciate the info which i will share with them. Sincerely, Greg Shuck

          2. Bob...
            Tarra Cunningham

            Saying a little prayer that Bob Hover see’s this… I know it’s been a while since your last post. Would love to talk to you a bit about Bob’s music history. He is my step-father and is currently battling the end-stages of a terminal cancer diagnosis. I think his children would love to see some of those photo, flyers & posters if we could maybe work something out via e-mail? Please contact me if you see this, would love to hear from you! Call anytime if that works too (712)840-6987
            Thanks so much
            Tarra Cunningham

        1. Re: Still Flying RC after all these years?
          Robert Gregg Letterly

          : Yo Olde Let, Do you still fly RC planes after all these years?

          : DCM

          D. Morris! dang me…good to see you are still around. I never figured out how to get out of RC..lots of helicopters and indoor micros now all electric. Drop a line [email protected] would like to hear from ya.

  7. Stolen guitars
    Ken Clark

    I don’t have all of the info yet, however, someone broke into Mac’s shop and stole three guitars. Two Martins and one of his own custom guitars. It is a parlor guitar with case. I will post more when I get complete descriptions from him. Indications are that, the person/persons knew what they were looking for.

  8. Mac Mcormick
    Brian Fowler

    Mac Mcormick made both of my mandolins as well as Jefferson Airplane original Bassists Bob harvey bass. he is a great luthier. Pics of the insruments http://www.sfblue.co.uk You can ship to Mac he will take care of you!
    McCormick String Instrument
    1238 Midway Drive
    Columbus, GA 31901
    706-327-8508

  9. Mac McCormick
    Ken Clark

    I am a beginner. I recently took my Strat to Mr. McCormick to have it "setup" properly. Mac performed the work while I waited and absolutely refused any payment. That is so rare these days. He even promised to show me the correct way to string my guitar. I looked around his shop and the instruments that I saw where works of art. He is a true craftsman.

      1. Re: Mac McCormick
        Bill Westbrook

        It is the same guy. I’ve known Mac for 30 years. He has built conversion banjo necks for my 1928 TB-3 Mastertone and 1927 Granada banjos. About 3 years ago I had him build me a flat-top dreadnought guitar. It has mellowed into the best sounding guitar I have ever played.

        I’m sure he would build you a great 12-string.

      2. Re: Mac McCormick
        Marc Hall

        : : I am a beginner. I recently took my Strat to Mr. McCormick to have it "setup" properly. Mac performed the work while I waited and absolutely refused any payment. That is so rare these days. He even promised to show me the correct way to string my guitar. I looked around his shop and the instruments that I saw where works of art. He is a true craftsman.

        : About 10 years ago, I found the sweetest 6-string Accoustic guitar ever, and it was made by F.J. "Mac" McCormick. I’ve tried to find him ever since, so I might get a 12-string. Do you think this is the same guy?

        Yes. I just left his shop 1 hour ago, 6-2-2005. His phone no. is 706-327-8508.

      3. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Randy Rowan
        Randy Rowan

        : I am a beginner. I recently took my Strat to Mr. McCormick to have it "setup" properly. Mac performed the work while I waited and absolutely refused any payment. That is so rare these days. He even promised to show me the correct way to string my guitar. I looked around his shop and the instruments that I saw where works of art. He is a true craftsman.

        About 10 years ago, I found the sweetest 6-string Accoustic guitar ever, and it was made by F.J. "Mac" McCormick. I’ve tried to find him ever since, so I might get a 12-string. Do you think this is the same guy?

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