Martin Custom Shop M Grand Auditorium, 36-Style, Sitka Spruce Bearclaw Top, Cocobolo Back & Sides

As one of a handful of Martin Custom Expert dealers, Russo Music is fortunate to be able to spec out our own acoustic guitars with the Martin Custom shop, like this M Grand Auditorium Acoustic Guitar, made with 36-Style appointments, a Sitka Spruce Bearclaw top and Cocobolo back and sides: all woods that were hand-selected by Russo Music. This guitar is a masterpiece of design and construction, highlighting why C.F. Martin has been able to produce high quality instruments for as long as they have. 

Martin's monikers have developed and changed with their guitars over time, and this Grand Auditorium "M" features a body style based on their Size F archtop jazz guitars. This specific Grand Auditorium model, while custom, showcases specs inspired by the Martin M-36. It features a top made from Sitka spruce, with swished bearclaw wood figuring characterized by raised and rippled sections. The top beautifully contrasts a darker back and sides cut from cocobolo, with a gorgeous bookmatched back that showcases cocobolo's grain, and makes this guitar an absolute work of art. This wood pairing is less common for Martin, a result of a trip to the Martin factory by Russo Music employees who wanted to get adventurous and spec this guitar out themselves. Under its hood, this Martin Custom boasts Sitka spruce Golden Era forward shifted X-Bracing.

The neck of this M Model features a Modified Low Oval profile that fits pretty snug into the palm, providing enough depth for fingerstyle playing while remaining comfortable for strumming as well. The High-Performance taper on the neck gradually thins the it as it approaches the body. On top of the neck, the fingerboard is cut from premium black ebony, which hosts an extremely tight grain, and a naturally "oily" finish. This fingerboard is host to 20 Standard frets, and Style 38 Mother-of-Pearl inlays.

This Custom Shop M Grand Auditorium is topped with a natural gloss finish on its body, doing little to interrupt the beauty of the bearclaw pattern found in the Sitka spruce and gorgeous grain of the cocobolo. The neck, on the other hand, features a contrasting satin finish that provides a smooth and comfortable feel for fretting hand maneuvers.

This guitar comes with a custom molded hard case.

Most new Martin Guitars ship with the original endpin not installed, if you'd like us to install one for you before shipping, please let us know and we'd be happy to. 

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