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Martin M-38 Acoustic Guitar  

Product #513364

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This product has been discontinued but may be available as a used item

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    • Martin

    With a grand auditorium body for more control and comfort.

    Martin is proud to restore the M-38 acoustic guitar back into the stock lineup. Long prized in performing and recording circles, the larger 0000 or grand auditorium shape is combined with the shallower 000 body depth to yield notes that resound and decay quickly with a tonal balance and power that is less prone to stage feedback when miked. Style 38 appointments are ornate yet tasteful.

    Features

    • Construction: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint
    • Body size: M(0000)-14 Fret
    • Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
    • Rosette: Style 45
    • Top bracing pattern: Standard X Scalloped, forward shifted
    • Top braces: Solid Adirondack Spruce 5/16''
    • Back material: Solid East India Rosewood
    • Back purfling: Style 45
    • Side material: Solid East India Rosewood
    • Endpiece: White Boltaron
    • Endpiece inlay: Black/White Boltaron
    • Binding: White Boltaron
    • Top inlay style: Black/White/Black Boltaron
    • Side inlay: Black/White Boltaron
    • Back inlay: Black/White Boltaron
    • Neck material: Select Hardwood
    • Neck shape: Low Profile
    • Nut material: Bone
    • Headstock: Solid/Diamond/Square Taper
    • Headplate: Solid East India Rosewood w/Raised Gold Foil
    • Heelcap: White Bolaron with Black/White Inlay
    • Fingerboard material: Solid Black Ebony
    • Scale length: 25.4
    • # of frets clear: 14
    • # of frets total: 20
    • Fingerboard width at nut: 1-11/16''
    • Fingerboard width at 12th fret: 2-1/8''
    • Fingerboard position inlays: Style 38
    • Fingerboard binding: White Boltaron
    • Finish back & sides: Polished Gloss
    • Finish top: Polished Gloss w/Vintage Toner
    • Finish neck: Satin
    • Bridge material: Solid East India Rosewood
    • Bridge style: Belly
    • Bridge string spacing: 2-1/8"
    • Saddle: 16" radius/ Compensated/Bone
    • Tuning machines: Gotoh Chrome w/Large Knobs
    • Recommended strings: Martin MSP 4100 Phosphor Bronze
    • Bridge & endpins: White w/Black Dots
    • Pickguard: Tortoise Color
    • Case: 570 Geib style
    • Interior label: None

    A Martin classic revisited. Order yours today.

    Write a Review Overall Rating Customer Reviews 5 See all 5 customer reviews...

    Old one from 1984 holds up

    | Review By: Mike H. | 2 years, 7 months ago

    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

    Features:
    Quality:
    Value:
    Overall:
    I bought an M38 used from a dealer nearby in 1992--I traded a 1952 00-21 which was a mistake, but this guitar sounds better than ever. It is especially useful for various tunings. Dropping the low E string to open C reveals bottomless bass. I installed a McIntyre pickup myself, which is mostly non-invasive- It sticks to the bridge plate inside with special putty, so no alterations needed other than slight enlargement of the endpin hole. Amazing natural sound with that pickup. The intonation of the guitar is perfect. It is as balanced and dynamic as any guitar around. I know better than to say it is the best, or better than so-and-so, because every guitar is  unique, and I suppose Michael Hedges' old beat up D-28 would make us all crazy if we heard it live, but this M38 is a keeper for me. I saw one on TV being played by someone accompanying Paul McCartney, and also saw Arlo Guthrie playing one on Mountain Stage. It was probably the best sounding guitar I ever heard in person.
    Do you own the product?:
    No
    Have you used the product?:
    No
    Musical Experience:
    Playing acoustic since 1950s
    Style of music you play:
    No labels-just improvise and listen
    Where you live:
    St. Albans, WV

    Did you find this review helpful? yes no909885

    Ringing Out!

    | Review By: Peter-0jwbU | 2 years, 9 months ago

    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful

    Features:
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    Value:
    Overall:
    This guitar RINGS out like no guitar I have ever played.  The beauty and comfort of an OM body style, yet the booming bass of a DM!  This guitar is a fingerstylest' dream guitar!  It is stunning to look at, and stunning to, as another reviewer said, close your eyes and listen!  ***** Star Guitar by Martin. This is the most balanced Martin I have ever played.  I love the soft finger picking of the 18, and the boom of a dread, but to have BOTH in one guitar?  It is that and a whole lot more!
    Do you own the product?:
    Yes
    Have you used the product?:
    No
    Musical Experience:
    Amateur
    Style of music you play:
    Blues, Fingerstyle, Country blues
    Where you live:
    Maine

    Did you find this review helpful? yes no1013082

    Dream Guitar of a Lifetime

    | Review By: Peter Hyatt | 2 years, 9 months ago

    1 people out of 1 found this review helpful

    Features:
    Quality:
    Value:
    Overall:
    This has to be THE most versatile guitar to be found.  What amazes me most is the deep bass sound. Although I play fingerstyle, this guitar is fine for bluegrass strumming and picking. With the slightly larger size, it can boom with a dreadnought, but has the smaller feel and intimacy of a OM.  It is beautiful to look at.  I did upgrade with the walrus ivory saddle and bone bridge pins, and I think Martin should have included these for the price.  I think it my be the finest all around guitar made by Martin.  Very similar to the Stefan Grossman model (which is stunning) and has been used to record by many famous artists.  I have read that David Bromberg uses it as well as Ben Harper and others.  It takes my breath away every time I take it out of the case.  It is not my "every day" guitar, as it is more of a performance guitar.  For me, it is a once in a lifetime purchase and well worth the sacrifice to get it.  It is hard to believe that such bass comes from light guage strings and an OM type body.  Great volume, great balance, and beauty... Although I am not a professional musician, it is a joy to own a professional instrument.
    Do you own the product?:
    No
    Have you used the product?:
    No
    Musical Experience:
    Hobbyist
    Style of music you play:
    Folk blues, rags, fingerstyle
    Where you live:
    New England

    Did you find this review helpful? yes no1013046

    unheardof tone

    | Review By: maturemusiclover | 3 years, 4 months ago

    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful

    Features:
    Quality:
    Value:
    Overall:
    I've played dreadnoughts and others for years Guild,Gibson, Taylor, Ovation). this guitar speaks like none other. Close your eyes and you would swear you were playing a twelve string. Has the playability for many genres and styles. Feels wonderful to sing along with. Amen.
    Do you own the product?:
    Yes
    Have you used the product?:
    No
    Musical Experience:
    Active picker
    Style of music you play:
    Americana, ie bluesfolkcountryrock
    Where you live:
    blue ridge

    Did you find this review helpful? yes no805840

    Beyond Balanced

    | Review By: Cocoa | 3 years, 11 months ago

    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful

    Features:
    Quality:
    Value:
    Overall:
    This guitar is the dream guitar. It makes the OMJM sound like a poo poo platter. This is the guitar Ben Harper uses for recording because of it's incredibly crisp, balanced, and professional tone. it's amazing. buy it. p.s. the white binding extends around the headstock and it is the sexiest thing ever.
    Do you own the product?:
    Yes
    Have you used the product?:
    No
    Musical Experience:
    Active Musician
    Style of music you play:
    Blues, Rock, Funk
    Where you live:
    Chicago

    Did you find this review helpful? yes no899260

    See all 5 customer reviews...
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