All of the Mack shapes were designed by John Mack, formerly the principal oboist of the Cleveland Orchestra.

The Mack+ is part of a series of oboe shapes that he designed later in his career with the help of Bob Gilbert, the founder of RDG Woodwinds. These include the Mack, the Mack+ and the Mack++. Although it is rumored that John Mack appreciated all of these shapes for their different qualities, he normally used the Mack+ for all of his reed making.

John Mack served as principal oboist in the Cleveland Orchestra from 1965 until 2001 where he helped define the American style of oboe playing. He was passionate about teaching, and served on the faculty of both the Cleveland institute and the Juilliard School of Music. His legacy endures through the John Mack Oboe Camp, in Little Switzerland North Carolina, that continues to run to this day.