Martin Custom Shop 00 Size 12 Fret Sinker Mahogany, VTS Sitka Spruce Top Martin Guitars

In the winter of 2019, we spent some time at the Martin Guitar Factory learning about the features and benefits of Sinker Mahogany. The wood used on the back and sides of this guitar is hand selected by Russo Music from a batch of premium Belize Mahogany that had been pulled from the murky, muddy depths of the Central American river system. For hundreds of years, these timbers have been washed over by sediment as they aged to perfection on the floor of these former logging highways. The logs are excavated by locals in Belize and processed at the Martin Factory for use by the Martin Custom Shop.

This 00, 12 fret, flattop guitar is the picture of intentional design, from engineering to aesthetic. The 12-fret neck joint shifts the bridge down to a more centralized position over the guitar top in comparison to the more common 14 fret design. By moving the bridge south from the edge of the soundhole, it is placed in a more elastic region of the top thus delivering its sonic energy with less restriction. 12 frets have seen a resurgence in popularity over the past few years for this very reason. On this instrument we decided to turbocharge this top to bridge relationship with VTS Sitka Spruce. The Vintage Tone System (VTS) process is Martin’s unique approach to torrefaction. By heating the wood components in a high heat environment with increased atmospheric pressure and decreased oxygen, Martin can “cook out” the water and sugars from the wood. This leaves us with a Spruce top that has similar properties to a vintage, aged, wood top with increased stability and lower moisture content.

We also focused on other string contact point in this design and spec’d a slotted peghead behind the 1 ¾” bone nut. The slotted peghead increases the break angle behind the nut slot, which allows more energy to travel up and down the playable portion of the string and into the top. The headplate around the slots is flamed mahogany, with a classy Old Style Gold Small Decal. Profile is the fan favorite modified low oval with the high performance taper. This small body and fast neck will lend itself to countless hours of playing on plush and hard seating surfaces alike. No couch fatigue here.

The back and sides of this instrument are hand selected Sinker Mahogany set #191. The book match boasts the wide range of colors that Sinker is known for, from golden yellows, sunset oranges, and the darkest, muddiest browns. You can see the effect of 100+ years of waterflow, mud, organism decay, and sediment quite clearly. Sinker is prized for its extremely warm and balanced tone across the frequency spectrum.

The Premium VTS Sitka top is sprayed in a gloss Ambertone 1933 burst finish that blends flawlessly into the rich and earthy Sinker back and sides. The mahogany gets a rosewood filler before its clear gloss finish. The neck is satin for smooth playability.

00 Size instruments like this are popular for their speed of attack. They achieve maximum velocity upon minimal energy input. Unlike a large body jumbo, this guitar is ready to get up and go at the slightest fingerstyle touch.