Martin OOOC acoustic guitar Review

An experienced guitar player knows when a guitar is just right. Although I've played a lot of good guitars over the years, the Martin 000C cutaway auditorium guitar ranks with the best electric/acoustics I have ever played.

Features

Priced at around $2,000, the 000C-16RGTE is auditorium-sized, which means means that the body is a smaller than a standard full-size guitar; the thickness is reduced by about an inch and the width is slightly smaller. This smaller size, however, means it is more comfortable to play when performing.

The neck's scale length is 25.4 inches and the low frets are on a fingerboard of striped ebony. The review model that I played had Martin phosphor-bronze, light-gauge SP strings. The "C" in the model designation indicates that the 000C is a cutaway model, meaning it is easier to play high notes on the neck.

The Martin 000C is available with some options, including a good internal pickup package. This was how the guitar I played was fitted up, and this Fishman brand pickup worked very well. However, I mostly played the guitar acoustically.

The Audition

The feel of the 000C is everything that a premium guitar should be. The action and balance of the instrument felt just right in my hands. A cutaway guitar begs to be played at the higher frets and the 000C had perfect intonation and excellent playability as far up the neck as I cared to go. If you have a smaller body, you'll appreciate the smaller size of the 000C. In particular, this is a good guitar for women.

Although the "auditorium" body is smaller than a full-size guitar, I played the 000C at a performance in a spacious common room with vaulted ceilings and plush furniture. The unamplified sound of the guitar had no trouble filling the room and working with my vocals. Its crisp, but balanced, sound is ideal for strumming, flat picking and finger picking. The tone, from E to E, is well defined with no muddy spots or unusual resonances.

Summary

The Martin 000C is a beautiful-sounding guitar. It has a treble crispness without losing solid midrange and clean bass that are characteristic of better Martin guitars. Throw in its ease of play, build quality and versatility as an acoustic or electric-acoustic, and you have one nice guitar that is easy to play for an extended time. The cost is reasonable for a well-built Martin guitar but it's still at a level where only serious players will be interested. Even still, it's a beauty if you decide it's for you.