“The build quality and voice of a fully fledged professional instrument”: McNally S-32 review

Despite its membership in McNally’s entry-level range, this small-bodied guitar’s spec sheet reads more like an instrument from the major league. Is it as good as it sounds? Let’s find out…

McNally S-32
(Image: © Future / Neil Godwin)

Guitar World Verdict

There’s nothing basic here at all. This is a model that has the build quality and voice of a fully fledged professional instrument... if you can track one down to audition yourself, you may find that you fall under its spell as much as we did. It really is the case here that small is beautiful.

Pros

  • +

    Superbly built small-bodied guitar.

  • +

    Larger than life tonal personality.

  • +

    Generous C neck profile is very comfortable.

Cons

  • -

    Nope, we really can’t think of a thing!

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

If you’re at all unfamiliar with this range of acoustic guitars, Ciaran McNally works out of Craigavon, Armagh in Northern Ireland. He previously studied lutherie in both Northern Ireland and London, moving on to work for Lowden as a senior craftsman and Atkin Guitars in Canterbury as the company’s production manager. 

Since that time he’s launched his own stable of handmade instruments that seek to “take the warmth and complexity of Celtic guitars and add some of the definition and fundamental qualities of American guitars”, concluding that he feels that the result is a more versatile instrument.

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