A Rustic 12-fret Rendition of Martin's Do-it-all 000
This Custom Shop 000-12 offers a sound distinct from any historically minded Martin creation, boasting an adventurous arrangement of top-tier tonewoods. Martin guitars have long utilized mahogany and koa hardwood tops, yet it’s a rare sight indeed to see a sinker redwood model stroll through the Sweetwater Guitar Gallery. Compared to Martin’s usual softwood suspects, sinker redwood provides a darker, rounder, and warmer sonic signature with ample overtones. Around back, a wild-grain East Indian rosewood body resounds with thumping bass, chiming highs, and lush resonance. A 12-fret, slope-shouldered body with scalloped GE X-bracing further sets this Martin apart from the pack, expanding upon the standard 000 form to supply rumbling projection and a fingerstyle-ready depth. Plus, the genuine mahogany neck’s slim GE Modified Low Oval profile, glassy ebony fingerboard, and comfortable 1.75-inch width accommodate players of all backgrounds equally. European flamed maple binding and historic herringbone trim provide a crisp contrast to this Custom Shop 000-12’s decidedly dark, rustic aesthetic. An old-school slotted headstock and Grover Sta-Tite tuning machines cap off this Custom Shop 000-12, all adding up to a truly singular example of Martin Custom Shop craftsmanship.
Related Videos: Custom Shop 000-12 Redwood/Rosewood Acoustic Guitar - Natural
Tonewoods taken from the river’s depths
The top of this masterful Martin utilizes what’s known among high-end 6-string aficionados as “sinker” redwood. This timber was salvaged from the bottom of waterways, culled from reclaimed logs that sank to the bottom ages ago. It’s a process that changes both the appearance and the sound of the wood, as the timbers absorb minerals in the water over decades. What about the sound? Sinker redwood is revered for its warm, rounded-over character and ringing overtones.
As for the back and sides, Martin's experts picked out an eye-catching assortment of wild-grain East Indian rosewood. Tonally, this timber delivers all the bell-like highs, lush lows, and abounding overtones you’d expect from a rosewood-laden Martin guitar. However, this wild wood features rippling grain lines and patterns that set it a world apart from your typical slab of Indian rosewood.
Well-balanced 000 body shape
Smaller than a dreadnought but by no means a “parlor guitar,” Martin’s 000 body shape is a true 6-string Swiss Army knife, tackling everything from singer/songwriter strumming duties to melodic fingerstyle without batting an eye. Martin fans champion this shape for its exceptional string-to-string balance and comfortable playability — a byproduct of the 000’s slightly reduced 24.9-inch scale length. All in all, the 000 body shape is an ideal choice for guitarists who clamor for full-bodied Martin tone in a more comfortable, balanced-sounding package.
About Martin Custom Shop
If you’re like us here at Sweetwater and often dream about guitars that may not exist, the Martin Custom Shop is the place to turn for unique, limited runs built with care. Each Martin Custom Shop acoustic guitar is built by hand in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, by luthiers who match your passion for unique instruments. The Martin Custom Shop builds instruments for iconic players and hobbyists alike, with options ranging from classic tonewoods like rosewood, mahogany, and spruce to stunning figured rarities like koa, flame maple, and Brazilian rosewood. Each Martin Custom Shop guitar is crafted to deliver classic Martin performance, but with satiating extras like custom inlays and premium binding — all tied together by an unparalleled attention to detail.
Martin Custom Shop 000-12 Redwood/Rosewood Features:
- An adventurous tonewood twist on the 12-fret 000, built to world-class standards by the Martin Custom Shop
- Sinker redwood top with scalloped GE X-bracing performs with a warmer, darker, and rounder sound compared to Martin-standard spruce
- Wild-grain East Indian rosewood back and sides boast eye-catching figuring and a lush, bass-rich tone
- Slope-shouldered 000 body with a 12-fret neck joint resounds with impressive projection and far-reaching versatility
- Genuine mahogany GE Modified Low Oval profile neck offers a slim and sleek playing experience
- Ebony fingerboard loaded with long "Diamonds and Squares" inlays
- European flamed maple binding and herringbone trim provide a crisp contrast to the top's dark coloration
- Old-school slotted headstock with high-performing Grover Sta-Tite tuning machines
