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New Martin design" martin SC-13E

Discussion in 'Acoustic Heaven' started by maxvintage, Jan 17, 2020.

  1. Jan 17, 2020 #1
    maxvintage

    maxvintage Friend of Leo's

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    Martin announced this at NAMM


    https://www.martinguitar.com/new-sc-13e-acoustic-electric-guitar/


    Entirely new design for martin, radical new neck joint, new bracing. Looks like an answer to Taylor

    I'm very interested, because I like the way Martins sound but have always had trouble playing the kind of stuff I play about the 12th fret.

    Nice to see an innovation, also priced very reasonably
     
    FenderGuy53 likes this.
  2. Jan 17, 2020 #2
    fuman

    fuman TDPRI Member

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    That looks pretty cool. Made in Mexico with a laminate body, but those aren't deal breakers for me.
     
  3. Jan 17, 2020 #3
    Dan German

    Dan German Poster Extraordinaire Silver Supporter

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    Nice. What's the new bracing? I must have missed that. I find the new neck joint interesting, although a) I don't need access that high up the neck, and 2) they lost me at "slim neck."

    EDIT: found a link I missed that has bracing info
     
  4. Jan 17, 2020 #4
    Buckocaster51

    Buckocaster51 Super Moderator Staff Member Ad Free Member

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    If I didn’t have a Gallagher Doc Watson (non cutaway) on the way...
     
  5. Jan 17, 2020 #5
    Buzzgrowl

    Buzzgrowl Tele-Meister

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    Looks likes a bolt-on neck. Is it?

    Btw, both those videos have out of tune guitars.
     
  6. Jan 17, 2020 #6
    matrix

    matrix Tele-Meister

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    Would like to try one. Design looks really cool, but ears tell the story...
     
  7. Jan 18, 2020 #7
    Freeman Keller

    Freeman Keller Friend of Leo's

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    As one review said "an acoustic guitar for electric guitar players"... $1899 list, long scale but thirteen frets clear.....somehow I doubt that it will be a classic
     
    navigate40 and FenderGuy53 like this.
  8. Jan 18, 2020 #8
    Chiogtr4x

    Chiogtr4x Poster Extraordinaire

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    Not for me as I learned how to play on a D-28 import clone 45 years ago and love the acoustic ( play 50/50 electric or acoustic gigs)
    But it could be a ' bridge the gap' guitar that has good tone, features that get electric players to play, then with time dig a more traditional acoustic?

    ( but its it's overpriced- should be like $750 take home, IMO)
     
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  9. Jan 18, 2020 #9
    Kelleycaster

    Kelleycaster TDPRI Member

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    199B61E6-C98E-4F3D-A381-E42809925C80.png Here’s a picture for those who don’t care to watch the vid...

    My personal opinion is that it looks innovative, very comfortable to play, and kind of ugly.:lol: Like they wanted to make an offset shape but were too nervous to go “all out crazy”, so they came up with something that looks like a Breedlove that sat out in the sun too long.
     
  10. Jan 18, 2020 #10
    oatsoda

    oatsoda Tele-Holic

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    Guess I'm a traditionalist, that just isn’t my Martin.
     
  11. Jan 20, 2020 #11
    Pooks

    Pooks TDPRI Member

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    I find it really interesting and I'm a bit surprised to see something this out there come from Martin. Would definitely like to hear one in person. I'm wondering how good they could make this 'platform' sound am a little surprised they don't have a high priced USA version that's a bit of a showcase.
     
  12. Jan 20, 2020 #12
    maxvintage

    maxvintage Friend of Leo's

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    Tradition is good, innovation is good--they're both good.

    It looks like the neck is bolt-on and adjustable, so you can change the action with an allen wrench. You can make more substantial changes with shims, as in Taylor's neck joint. That's appealing. Rick Turner is always arguing that all acoustics should have adjustable necks.

    I do a lot of fingerstyle jazz stuff and have to reach above the 12th fret. Even where there's a cutaway, that's often awkward on an acoustic.

    I'm not crazy about the sounds in the videos--I don't like the Taylor sound at all--but I'll be interested in trying one. Sweetwater has them listed at 1499.

    They ship with 11s: I'd have 12s on there quickly.

    Edit: Turner's argument is based on his experience with Howe-Orme guitars, a 19th century maker that made guitars with necks that were fully adjustable. They sat off the body a bit. interesting. Anyway Turner claims it had no bad effects on sound but made a huge improvement in playability, because you could easily tweak the action as the weather changed
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2020
  13. Jan 20, 2020 #13
    FenderGuy53

    FenderGuy53 Poster Extraordinaire

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    Wow! Somehow, a laminate body, x-bracing (visible thru soundhole) and bolt-on neck don't square with up the price tag, IMHO.

    I'll keep my Road Series guitars. Great values, for a grand less $$$!
     
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  14. Jan 20, 2020 #14
    Piggy Stu

    Piggy Stu Friend of Leo's

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    Good luck to them, but a good acoustic is such a fine balance. All the crazy prejudices people have for guitars come true on an acoustic - bridge mass, tonewood, etc

    Love proper Martins. Hope this is one, but 50% of everything I try with their name on it now does not say Martin to me
     
  15. Feb 19, 2020 at 1:09 AM #15
    Speedfish

    Speedfish Tele-Meister

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    Anyone strap one on yet? Wondering how these things balance?

    Thanks,
     
  16. Feb 19, 2020 at 7:40 AM #16
    toomuchfun

    toomuchfun Tele-Afflicted

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    Martin is evolving with the times. Like many say, it's not for me but I'd rather they appeal to the younger market and stay in business. I feel confident their authentic line and traditional models will always be there too.
     
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