Product Description

2023 Custom Shop Expert 000-28 Authentic 1937 Ambertone

This limited edition model is a culmination of decades of experience at Martin in replicating the golden era of their production and in modern playability, together in one line of instruments. The Custom Shop Expert guitars were only offered through the highest performing Martin Custom Shop dealers, this particular instrument came from Fuller's in Texas. These models blend select Authentic features and aesthetics with some modern build practices. This example is of the 000-28 with an ambertone top, something that is exceedingly rare on vintage instruments, and their Stage 1 Aging package.

The elements of this instrument are an .110" thickness Adirondack Spruce top paired with Premium East Indian Rosewood sides and back, with 1/4" scalloped Adirondack Spruce bracing. The guitar is a complete hide glue construction. It wears the iconic 5/9/5 soundhole rosette, herringbone top purfling, and zig-zag back strip. The ebony belly bridge, with slot through long saddle, and tortoise guard complete the 30's stylings. The neck is a modified V profile, with the 30s heel and 1 3/4" nut width, and long pattern diamonds and squares for the fretboard inlay. The headstock wears the Golden Era script logo, with the diamond volute adorning the back as well as a set of aged Waverly tuners. The nut, saddle, and bridge pins are bone. The addition of a truss rod is a modern touch anyone can appreciate.

The guitar is finished in the Vintage Gloss package, only available from the Custom Shop, which has a beautifully patina'd look to it. It looks especially good over the ambertone and with the touch of the Stage 1 Aging package. The guitar has a tasteful amount of aging, which gives a very convincing look. There are subtle lines of checking on the top, headstock veneer, and neck. The Waverly tuners are well tarnished and the nut, saddle, and bridge pins are made to show years of wear and filth build up. All in all the complete package looks great and will surely continue to age nicely with years of use.

The looks on this guitar are only surpassed by the sound and tone it emanates. It has a strong, piano like bass response with great sustain and clarity. Chords are clear and rich, with single notes resounding nicely without weakness. The 000 body shape, hide glue construction, and Adirondack top yield a wide range of timbres and volume. The guitar responds equally well to fingerstyle or plectrum, with plenty of bark when you dig in and a round, warm tone when played more gently. It has a good amount of headroom, as much energy as you put in it will output in volume, this 000 responds very much like a dreadnought in some ways.

Serial Number 2793707

4 lbs

.84" at the first fret to .93"at the ninth fret

CS Certificate, case tage, owners manual, and fullers cloth included

Original black pebble Martin case with green interior, made by Harptone

Product Details