Martin Guitars Custom Shop 00-41

Sonic Evaluation

After I picked a little bit on this gorgeous 00-41 12-fret, I set an alarm on my phone and told my officemate not to let me keep playing past the bell lest I spend the whole day lost in this serial's rich sound. First things first, though: this guitar is so responsive that a butterfly flapping its wings in California could probably make the strings ring out at mezzo forte on the East Coast! It has a round, piano-like attack that springs forth with immediacy before it leaves the room awash with its natural reverberant power. The low-end is quite warm with a satisfyingly sculpted boom, and the midrange is woody and quite punchy, and the high-end is open, sunny, and sweet with plenty of sparkling overtones. It also handles complex chord voicings with ease, and it maintains superb string-to-string balance.

However, what makes this serial truly magical is how wide its dynamic range is. You can really alter the tone colors by hitting harder or easing off, which makes for a delightfully dynamic playing experience. It feels like an extension of your hand, a wooden glove! Speaking of which, I would be remiss if I didn't mention of effortless it felt to play this 00-41, even compared to other Custom Shop instruments.

If you're looking for a responsive, robust-sounding Grand Concert with fast feel, check this incredible 00-41 out. I have no doubt you'll have to set a few alarms when you sit down with it to make sure it doesn't eat your entire day, either!