NGD: Martin Custom Shop 00-18s

[Mike Eskimo]

And don't call a Martin sunburst, a 'sunburst' around real Bluegrass folks!

You'll get yelled at ( at least I did!) - it's a Shadetop!

Yeah , they’re shade tops …

And Martin, across many many decades is Terrible at doing them .

Not all, but the majority , and I know aesthetic taste is subjective but I know what I like

 

[Chiogtr4x]

And don't call a Martin sunburst, a 'sunburst' around real Bluegrass folks!



Yeah , they’re shade tops …

And Martin, across many many decades is Terrible at doing them .

Not all, but the majority , and I know aesthetic taste is subjective but I know what I like

Just a personal thing with me,
but when it comes to Martins or vintage style copies ( I own both), I just love the look of a natural ( or 'vintage toner') top. I wanna see the Spruce!
With most Gibsons ( I've never owned but played a few) I want that nice sunburst.

( side: the best playing and sounding acoustics I ever played were a dealer's '50 and '51 J-45's
- so comfy, 'chimey-with-thump' and light! WOW!!)

 

[rocksteady Max]

The new Martin custom shop 00-18s is a joy to play. 00 size, 12 fret, short scale,..The light build, the wide nut and wide string spacing at the bridge and the bigger neck make for an exceptional guitar. I’ve bought a couple guitars from Ted at LA Guitar Sales over the years, he designs custom Martins w the right specs at a savings over what an individual would pay. I’m loving this guitar. View attachment 1201607View attachment 1201608

those are awfully long toes!! better not use the microwave to warm them in winter

 

[rocksteady Max]

Like that guitar. That’s how finger tips should look on NGD.

fingerpicking hand of course

 

[moosie]

Congrats! I love a small bodied 12-fretter. And I love mahogany bodied Martins!

Nonetheless, I've had my eye on the Martin 012-28, or perhaps 0012-28, from the Modern Deluxe series. Normally "Martin" and "Modern" are not two words I'd want to use in the same sentence, unless there was a "not" in there. But the specs on these seem spot on.

Don't wear yours out all in one week, now...

 

[stephent2]

Congrats! I love a small bodied 12-fretter. And I love mahogany bodied Martins!

Nonetheless, I've had my eye on the Martin 012-28, or perhaps 0012-28, from the Modern Deluxe series. Normally "Martin" and "Modern" are not two words I'd want to use in the same sentence, unless there was a "not" in there. But the specs on these seem spot on.

Don't wear yours out all in one week, now...

I see the Modern Deluxe series has the wider string spacing at the bridge (2 1/4th), that's a big deal to me. They look very cool. The carbon fiber bridge plate is intriguing.

I've got an 0 sized guitar that I love but I'm a big fan of the 00 for playability and tonal balance.

 

[moosie]

I see the Modern Deluxe series has the wider string spacing at the bridge (2 1/4th), that's a big deal to me. They look very cool. The carbon fiber bridge plate is intriguing.

I've got an 0 sized guitar that I love but I'm a big fan of the 00 for playability and tonal balance.

Yes, bridge spacing is a big deal, but the other direction for me. I play an OM-28V and D18GE, both of which are 2-5/16. It's one of the things I'm thinking about. The guitar will be mostly for fingerstyle, and I have shovels for fingertips...

 

[Geoff738]

That’s a beauty!

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[985plowboy]

Congratulations!
That guitar is awesome on several levels.

 

[Mondoslug]

Beauty...congrats!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

. . . Cut the string off at the next post, stick it in so there is about 1/8 inch sticking thru the post, one wrap on one side of the post then the rest on the other

View attachment 1201860

Yikes! Really? It doesn't seem like that would leave enough string for many wraps. And it looks like there are only one or two wraps on each string there.

And — you cut the strings before you wind them? Scary! I'm used to leaving some slack for safety. (Except on Fender-style split shafts, of course.)

I have a murderous time changing my slothead's strings.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

The new Martin custom shop 00-18s is a joy to play. 00 size, 12 fret, short scale,..The light build, the wide nut and wide string spacing at the bridge and the bigger neck make for an exceptional guitar. I’ve bought a couple guitars from Ted at LA Guitar Sales over the years, he designs custom Martins w the right specs at a savings over what an individual would pay. I’m loving this guitar. View attachment 1201607

Like wow! Pretty little thing, and I love twelfth-fret joins. Way to go. Congrats!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

And don't call a Martin sunburst, a 'sunburst' around real Bluegrass folks!

You'll get yelled at ( at least I did!) - it's a Shadetop!

Good to know! I just got my first acoustic — uh — shadetop!

 

[Chiogtr4x]

Good to know! I just got my first acoustic — uh — shadetop!

I'm exaggerating a bit ( 'for effect') maybe- not all Bluegrassers care about this trad. minutia. S

 

[Chiogtr4x]

Good to know! I just got my first acoustic — uh — shadetop!

All good!

 

[stephent2]

The Martin came w/ a three pack of Martin MA540T and I've been trying various strings and falling out of love with the guitar slightly. Put a set of the MA540T and the magic is back. I've never had a guitar that was so string dependent. If you're froggy, give these a try, Martin's newest string coating technology, I'm impressed. ($14.50 at Sweetwater).

 

[Old Plank]

Beautiful!