The CS-00S-14 with its premium appointments is the most distinct looking guitar among Martin’s 2014 new models.
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This special instrument is built by C.F. Martin & Co.’s Custom Shop team and will be limited to only 114 guitars worldwide.
The guitar’s smaller parlor-size shape is based on old and ornate design called Style 42, which was part of Martin’s top of the line instruments in the early 1900. Now Martin’s expert guitar builders are bringing back this vintage design with the modern addition of an ultra lightweight non-adjustable carbon fiber neck reinforcement.
Most notable feature of this guitar is “torrefied” Swiss spruce top, which means that the top wood underwent a special heat based aging process. This is the same process used in the construction of Viking ships, breaking down wood resins to add stability. When used on guitars, it is said that the process gives the wood an aged and broken-in sound and look, which is what the CS-00S-14 guitar is obviously going for.
The special torrefied top is supported by rare Honduras rosewood back and sides, selected for their resonant properties. The guitar follows Martin’s 00-12 fret body size.
Complementing the guitars premium tonewoods are ornate binding, purfling and inlays. Solid cocobolo was used for the body binding, and 42-style abalone is used for the top inlay and rosette. Style 45 purfling runs through the center of the back side, and it features a solid cocobolo endpiece with special inlay.
The neck is made of solid mahogany carved into a modified V profile, topped by a 24.9″ scale length solid black ebony fretboard. Nut width is 1-13/16” and 12 of its 19 total frets are clear of the body. Ornate concave diamond design inlays are used as fret markers, matching the slotted headstock with solid black ebony headplate.
Other features of the guitar include a solid ebony pyramid bridge with drop-in saddle, nickel Grand Tuners w/ butterbean buttons and modern Fishman Aura VT electronics for plugging in!
No doubt that this is an amazing instrument, so it won’t be surprising that it commands a premium price tag. MSRP is $8,999, but I have seen it being sold online for around $7099. You can visit Martin Guitar for more information.
If the CS-00S-14 is out of your price range then don’t worry because at half the price the Martin 0-28VS is rated one of the best parlor guitars.
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