Custom 000-14 Cocobolo with Flamed Mahogany Wedge Acoustic Guitar

Private Reserve Guitars works closely with the Martin Custom Shop in Nazareth, Pa., to obtain instruments that are especially noteworthy based on their performance characteristics and appearance.

The following descriptions are from Sound Check Sessions that allow a small group of Martin employee/players to spend quality time with fresh instruments to discuss the concepts behind the creations, and to offer commentary on sound, feel, and look.

In the case of this special instrument, PRG connected Martin Custom Shop luthier Dale Eckart. Dale has been with Martin for nearly 40 years. His eyes, ears and hands have held more special Martin instruments than just about anyone. Dale designed this guitar, and the following is from a conversation with him at the factory about the Custom 000-14 Cocobolo with Flamed Mahogany Wedge Acoustic Guitar:

"I was looking for something that was going to be bright, yet uniform between treble and bass and was also highly playable. I used the performing artist neck profile. As to the body, on the top bracing I used 5/16th inch Golden Era Sitka bracing. For the rest of the braces I used quarter inch Adirondack Golden Era braces, which gives it a little more free movement in the back, yet you get the stiffness with the Sitka cross braces on the top. Also with the OM bracing, it moves the "X" a little bit closer to the sound hole. We constructed them all with hide glue.

"Next I asked, 'Did it look pleasing?' That's where I came up with the cocobolo with the flame mahogany wedge and also a flamed mahogany neck.

"I think it's a good mix between finger picking and strumming because strumming it gives you. Because what I was looking for was something that was even between treble and bass, and that's what I accomplished. You don't get one stronger than the other where it would be good for the strummer and a finger picker."

PRG inventory changes regularly, so please contact your Guitar Advisors at 866-926-1923 for the latest availability and an in-hand description of the instruments.