Martin Standard Series | M-36

The Martin M-36 is a truly unique instrument, blending the best of different Martin body styles to create a guitar with a distinctive voice and exceptional playability.  It's a guitar that appeals to players seeking a balanced tone, comfortable feel, and classic Martin craftsmanship.

Body Design and Tonewoods: The M-36's defining feature is its unique body shape.  It combines the width of a jumbo with the thinness of a 000, resulting in a "M" body size that sits comfortably while still projecting a powerful sound. This three-piece back design, crafted from East Indian rosewood, contributes to the guitar's complex tonal character.  East Indian rosewood is a highly prized tonewood known for its rich, warm tones and complex overtones.  It's complemented by a spruce top, which adds brightness and clarity to the overall sound.  Spruce is a classic tonewood for acoustic guitars, prized for its responsiveness and projection. The combination of these two tonewoods creates a balanced tonal spectrum, with a strong bass response, clear midrange, and sparkling trebles.

Bracing and Tone: The M-36 utilizes forward-shifted X-bracing with scalloped braces. This bracing pattern allows the top to vibrate more freely, resulting in a louder and more resonant tone. The scalloping of the braces further refines the tone, enhancing the guitar's responsiveness and adding a touch of warmth.  This combination of bracing and tonewoods makes the M-36 an excellent choice for studio recording, as it captures the nuances of the player's performance with exceptional clarity.

Neck and Playability: The M-36 features a modified low oval neck shape with a high-performance taper. This neck profile provides a comfortable grip and allows for effortless movement across the fretboard.  The 1 3/4" nut width provides ample string spacing for fingerstyle players, while the narrow taper ensures smooth transitions up and down the neck.  The bound neck adds a touch of elegance and enhances playing comfort.  The enclosed gear tuners ensure precise and stable tuning, allowing players to focus on their music without worrying about tuning issues.

Aesthetics and Details: The M-36 boasts classic Martin aesthetics, with a gloss finish on the body and a satin finish on the neck.  The aging toner on the top gives the guitar a vintage look, while the multi-stripe rosette and back inlay add a touch of sophistication.  The antique white binding complements the tonewoods beautifully. The modern belly bridge with a drop-in saddle ensures optimal string contact and contributes to the guitar's overall resonance.  The tortoise pattern pickguard protects the top from scratches and adds a touch of classic style.

Overall, the Martin M-36 is a versatile and inspiring instrument that offers a unique blend of tone, playability, and aesthetics. It's a guitar that will appeal to a wide range of players, from fingerstyle enthusiasts to singer-songwriters and studio musicians.  It's a testament to Martin's commitment to quality and innovation, and a worthy addition to any guitarist's collection.