A Martin Unlike Anything You've Seen or Heard
It would be fair to say that this Hops and Barley LTD special edition from our friends at Martin is one of the most unique acoustic guitar designs we’ve encountered here at Sweetwater. Other than its D-14 Slope Shoulder blueprint, just about everything else ventures far from the cages of commonality, most noticeably sporting an absolutely mesmerizing display of custom pearl inlays throughout the headstock, fingerboard, rosette, and pickguard. When it comes to tonewoods, this unicorn is backed by hearty walnut with a gorgeous and ultra-rare sinker redwood top, delivering a warm and earthy tone with unmatched resonance and sustain. The Martin DSS Hops and Barley LTD is an absolutely stunning acoustic fit for a true instrument connoisseur. Just picture yourself with this beauty in hand!
Related Videos: DSS Hops and Barley LTD Acoustic Guitar - Natural
Impressive “Hops and Barley” custom inlays
The aptly named Hops and Barley LTD boasts a striking pearl inlay pattern that wanders nearly the entire length of the guitar. Gracefully adorning the bridge, pickguard, and rosette, this unique pattern scales the flora’d ebony fingerboard and genuine mahogany neck, landing gracefully on the dark contrast of the Guatemalan rosewood headstock. Additionally, the white glow and fine intonation of the bone nut, the compensated bone saddle, and the vintage copper open gear tuners effortlessly and elegantly merge charm and playable functionality. Simply put: you’ll never put this guitar down!
Topped with sinker redwood
The old growth of California’s redwood forest was originally logged back in the 1850s, and the earliest lumber candidates to arrive at the mill decks after floating downriver were lodged deep into the silt of the riverbed by the massive weight of incoming logs. This 400-plus-year-old sinker redwood — which has been aged and infused with another century and a half of Californian minerals and character — possesses qualities entirely unlike any other tonewood on the planet.
The top pattern of the Hops and Barley LTD is a head turner in every sense of the term, revealing the gorgeous, glowing heart of a piece of wood that long pre-dates the birth of our nation. Its asymmetric grain and natural bushels of light and dark pair perfectly with a toasted burst gloss finish, ensuring a uniquely aged and elegant vibe you just can’t replicate.
Exhilarating sonics to match
And how does it sound? If you know redwood, then you know it brandishes some of the finest resonance of any tonewood. Sinker redwood adds a healthy helping of earthy richness that produces a fantastically warm tone loaded with undertones. The tighter bass end and exceptional sustain of the walnut back and sides round out this acoustic’s enviable sonic beauty. For porch players, small club acts, living room legends, and studio artists alike, the Hops and Barley LTD just begs to be played.
Martin DSS Hops and Barley LTD Acoustic Guitar Features:
- Finely crafted limited-edition model from Martin
- D-14 Slope Shoulder body shape offers classic Martin playing feel
- Incredibly rare and gorgeous sinker redwood top with walnut back and sides
- Warm, extremely resonant tone with superb sustain, tight low end, and beautiful undertones
- Genuine mahogany neck with 20-fret ebony fingerboard
- Stunning pearl “Hops and Barley” inlays adorning the bridge, rosette, pickguard, fingerboard, and headstock
- Bone nut and compensated bone saddle promote excellent intonation
- Guatemalan rosewood headstock with vintage copper open gear tuners elicit vintage charm
