Martin Custom Shop OM Sitka Spruce Top Sinker Mahogany Mahogany Back and Sides (Ex-Demo) #M2226384

What we say:

This beautiful guitar is part of an extremely limited edition of instruments form Martin’s esteemed Custom Shop. Each model in the series uses ‘sinker’ Mahogany and is personally signed by Chris Martin IV himself!

In the world of acoustic guitar making, some of the most revered instruments are those made by Martin & Co in the pre-World War II years of the 1930s. The elements important to an objectively great guitar sound all seem to conspire within these hallowed instruments: projection, note separation, chordal unity, sustain, sympathetic harmonic overtones and above all else, balance.

Martin have been able to buy some extremely special, and extremely old timber, straight from the river beds of Belize! The wood has lain there for over a hundred years and was itself over a century old when it was logged! Lying in the river has meant that the wood has taken in plenty of minerals and nutrients, changing its structure and density. This is turn means that, when used in premium custom shop instruments, the resulting tone is very, very close to those famed Pre-War instruments!

This ancient Mahogany has been allowed to dry naturally: it is not torrefied. This adds authenticity to a package that already has heritage and provenance. Martin have used this wood to make some quite unbelievable guitars, of which this is one.

This ‘Sinker Mahogany’ Martin is a ‘OM’, or Orchestral model. This has a slimmer depth to the body and narrow ‘hips’ and is one of Martin’s most popular body styles outside the Dreadnought. The 000 is perfect for fingerpicking styles but is also a most satisfying strummer.

The main difference between the OM and the similar 000 design is the OM’s slightly longer scale length. Measuring 25.4” as opposed to 2.9”, the extra tension and space makes the OM particularly well-suited to fingerstyle techniques.

The Sinker Mahogany is used here for the back, sides, neck and end block. The top is premium grade Sitka Spruce and the fingerboard is Black Ebony. The headstock even has an East Indian Rosewood plate! This is an extremely rich selection of woods indeed!

Sonically, these tone woods put themselves to great use: this is a superb sounding instrument with projection, detail and clarity to match the surprisingly deep bottom end supplied by the sinker mahogany. This OM model has a lovely top end sparkle too, thanks to the Spruce. There is a lovely balance to the sound which sets it above other top end acoustics.

Martin have used the Mod Low Oval neck to provide a feel that all players will appreciate: not just vintage aficionados.

With legitimately vintage tone wood and the signature of Martin’s CEO, this is one very special guitar indeed. Those factors are less important that the feel and the sound, both of which are extraordinary.

Available in only very limited numbers, this Martin Sinker Mahogany OM model is the one you’ve been waiting for!