MGA Guitars

Overview

MGA Guitars is a small-scale luthier brand specializing in handmade acoustic guitars and banjos, built by Matthew Grant Arcara. The instruments draw influence from 1930s C.F. Martin dreadnoughts and orchestra models, emphasizing traditional bracing patterns and design. Available through select dealers like The Music Emporium, MGA targets niche markets of enthusiasts seeking custom, high-end acoustics.

History

MGA Guitars was founded by Matthew Grant Arcara, a third-generation engineer based in Portland, Maine. Arcara established his workshop in South Portland, where he builds instruments under the MGA moniker, reflecting his engineering background and passion for pre-war Martin designs. The brand has developed a presence through custom projects and dealer partnerships, including builds demonstrated at locations like The Music Emporium in Massachusetts.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Instruments are handmade in a small workshop in South Portland, Maine, by luthier Matthew Arcara. Production is fully in-house, focusing on custom and limited builds with obsessive attention to detail from premium tonewoods.

Notable Products

• MGA-D2 Dreadnought - Custom dreadnought featuring Madagascar rosewood, built and played by Arcara at The Music Emporium.
• MGA-D1 - Dreadnought model showcased on the brand's site with gallery examples of high-end appointments.
• MGA Openback Banjo - Recent addition to the lineup, emphasizing functionality and traditional design.
• Custom Madagascar Rosewood Dreadnought - One-off build demonstrated in promotional materials, highlighting premium materials.

Reputation

MGA Guitars is regarded by acoustic enthusiasts as a boutique builder producing instruments faithful to vintage Martin aesthetics with modern engineering precision. Professionals and collectors appreciate the attention to bracing and tonewoods, often comparing them favorably to pre-war models. Limited production keeps availability low, fostering exclusivity but restricting broader exposure.