Sound Pure's Take

Condition: Used, Very Good

I love a 12-fret dread, and this Martin Custom Shop build only confirms that admiration. The stripped-down look lends this guitar a handsome workhorse aesthetic, with ivoroid button tuners and binding, a 28-style back strip and minimal mother-of-pearl dots the only bits of flash. All that minimalism seems intent to make a fine point: This guitar is meant to be played. And it plays very well. It gives you all the full-bodied bass, wide-open midrange and snappy treble expected from a rosewood dreadnought, and the exquisite Sitka top holds the sound together poetically, offering both pristine clarity and plentiful overtone potential. A low-profile neck combined with a wider-than-average nut width invites expressive left-hand play, and the neck's sheen finish presents a fast and comfy feel slotted between satin and gloss.

SP Luthier Notes: Fret dress and setup

Model
D-12
Serial
1892167
Year
2015
Body Size
D-12 Fret
Construction
Dovetail Neck Joint
Bracing Pattern
D-12 Fret #7A
Brace Shape
Non-Scalloped
Top Material
Sitka Spruce
Back Material
East Indian Rosewood
Side Material
East Indian Rosewood
Finish Top
Gloss
Back & Side Finish
Gloss
Scale Length
25.4"
Fingerboard Width at Nut
1 7/8"
Neck Shape
Low Profile
Top Color
Clear
Binding
Grained Ivoroid
Top Inlay Material
Multi-Stripe
Top Detail
None
Pickguard
None
Pickguard Inlay
None
Rosette
Multi-Stripe
Bridge Style
1930 Style Belly w/ Drop-In Long Saddle
Bridge String Spacing
2 5/16"
Bridge Material
Ebony
Bridge Pin Material
White
Bridge Pin Dots
Black Dots
Saddle
Long, Drop in, Bone
Saddle Radius
16"
Brace Material
Sitka Spruce
Brace Size
5/16"
Back Purfling/Strip
Style 28
Heelcap
Grained Ivoroid
Endpiece
Grained Ivoroid
Endpiece Inlay
Multi-Stripe
Back & Sides Color
None
Back Detail
None
Back Inlay Material
Multi-Stripe
Side Detail
None
Side Inlay Material
Multi-Stripe
Neck Material
Genuine Mahogany- 12/4
Finish Neck
Catalyzed 15 Sheen
Neck Color
Dark Mahogany
Number of Frets
20
Neck Joins Body at
12th Fret
Side Dots
White
Fingerboard Material
Ebony
Fingerboard width at 12th Fret
2 5/16"
Fingerboard Inlay Style
Style 28
Fingerboard Inlay Material
Mother of Pearl
Fingerboard Binding Material
None
Headstock Shape
Slotted / Round Slots / 6 String / Diamond
Headplate Material
Solid East Indian Rosewood
Headplate Logo Style
Old Style Gold (Small)
Headplate Binding Material
None
Tuning Machines
Golden Age 2515 - Bright Nickel, Side Mount
Knob
Ivoroid
Nut Material
Bone
Case
Hardshell

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

Try Before You Buy: take it home, commit only when it's right. Program details →

Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

Come hear it in our control rooms.

Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.