For many enthusiasts, C.F. Martin & Co. has been building some of the world’s finest guitars for over 180 years. The company pioneered manufacturing techniques and features that have become industry standards, including X-bracing, the 14-fret neck joint and the dreadnought body shape. Remaining true to its founder’s philosophy, Martin continues to rely on skilled craftsmanship and a highly trained workforce. More contemporary designs and approaches now allow Martin to maintain its position as a global leader in professional acoustic guitars, without compromising its core models or legendary quality.
Everything begins with the classic combination of a solid Sitka spruce top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, a pairing that has defined high-end Martin tone for decades. The scalloped Sitka X-bracing allows the top to move and breathe more freely, producing a broad and richly resonant response. The central feature here is the hide glue construction. Used by luthiers for centuries before the arrival of modern adhesives, hide glue transfers vibration between wooden parts without creating a dampening layer. The result is an instrument that resonates as a single entity, where every component actively contributes to the overall vibration rather than simply being attached beside the next one. The hide glue dovetail neck joint follows the same philosophy of complete authenticity. This is the way pre-war guitars were assembled.
The select hard mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge, Golden Age Relic Nickel tuners, and satin nitrocellulose finish all reinforce this approach: everything is designed to let the wood vibrate naturally, without masking its character beneath thick finishes or oversized modern hardware. The Modified Low Oval neck profile feels familiar and comfortable, neither too slim nor too substantial, equally suited to fingerstyle playing and stronger rhythmic accompaniment. The 12-fret neck joint positions the bridge closer to the centre of the soundboard, which changes the feel and response under the picking hand. The 000 body remains compact, balanced, and comfortable to hold for long sessions, without the bulk of a Dreadnought. The notable feature is the long 25.4" scale length on a 12-fret design, which is highly unusual. String tension feels firmer, the attack requires slightly more commitment, but the reward is increased precision and dynamic range.
This instrument is extremely responsive, with a fast and articulate attack, tight and defined basses, deep rosewood mids, and crystalline highs that sing without harshness. The hide glue construction brings the kind of resonance vintage guitar enthusiasts look for: long sustain, rich harmonics, and above all the sensation that the entire guitar vibrates as one, with the sound emerging from the whole body rather than only from the soundhole. The guitar rewards touch and nuance. It projects with clarity rather than brute force. In fingerstyle playing especially, it feels remarkably alive: bass lines remain perfectly defined, the mids stay present, and the trebles catch the light effortlessly. For us, this is clearly one of the finest modern Martins currently available for players searching for true vintage spirit and tone.
2-year warranty from our workshop.
