Martin Guitars Custom Shop 000-18

Sonic Evaluation

As my time playing this Custom Shop 000-18 came to a close, I sadly picked my way through the chords to Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart. Although time constraints are ultimately what tore this serial and I apart, the depth of feeling is the same. Perhaps because of the highly sought-after Cuban mahogany back and sides, it doesn't sound quite like any other 000-18. It has all the punchiness and warmth we expect from this model, but it has a greater overtone presence, almost as if it's halfway between mahogany and rosewood.

As a result, it sounds richer than the typical 000-18. The lows have immense power and depth, the midrange is broad and punchy, the highs have a heaping dose of sparkle, and it sounds perfectly balanced across the board. That's really the story with this guitar: it lives directly in the center of the Goldilocks Zone. Sonically speaking, the porridge is juuuuuuust the right temperature. It sounds rich, but not at the expense of clarity or woodiness. It sounds present but not too bright, and warm without wandering into the mud. Beyond that, it exhibits Martin's trademark touch-sensitivity in spades, which makes sitting down with it a delightfully expressive experience.

If you're seeking a supremely balanced, rich-sounding 000, you'll never let anything tear you and this serial apart (you might even find yourself singing a certain Rick Astley tune at it!).