Terry McInturff has been working with guitars for the better part of the last 30 years.  In 1997, after years of working on other folks' guitars, he launched his own line.  While some makers may have been reluctant to introduce more than one or two models, Terry's first catalog had 4 different offerings with several choices for both wood and pickup types, including a semi-hollow body available on the maple topped guitars.  Available colors were Faded Cherry and Old Glory Transparent on the all mahogany Monarch, and Old Glory Transparent, Tangerine Transparent and Faded Amberburst on the Empress, with Shetley Blue being available only on the Glory and Zodiac.

         

Less than one year later, the second catalog was released.  The line had now grown to seven models and a second body style with the introduction of the Glory Standard and the slab bodied Polaris and Polaris Pro.  Other changes included the discontinuation of African Limba as the backing wood on the Zodiac and Glory (Custom) as well as the discontinuation of the brass ring around the dot inlays on the fretboard, and the introduction of the paua rope inlays on the Empress.  New colors introduced were Tangerine Transparent on the Monarch and Emerald Green and Amethyst on maple topped guitars.

         

The 1999 Catalog introduced another new model to the McInturff line, the Royal.  The all mahogany Royal features two new innovations - the T-90 single coil pickup (a proprietary version of the popular P-90 pickup) and a chambered body with an open port located on the bottom - bass side of the body.  While the previous offerings could arguably be called derivative, in one way or another, of other "classic" designs, the Royal is truly a unique creation.  In this catalog we also get our first look at the "extended McInturff family" as their lovely faces grace the back cover.