Martin MMV Solid Top Dreadnought Rosewood/Sitka Acoustic Guitar  

This is the second Martin I've owned, and there is something about this one that is beyond words. It's in the sound it produces, a full dynamic range of tones with unbelievable sustain. It's in the volume and presence of the sound. It's in the playability. The action is low and fast. The ebony fingerboard and satin mahogany neck are silky and pleasant to the touch. It's in the quality and the beauty of the wood: the Indian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce with flawless gloss finish. It's in the substance and feel of the guitar as it vibrates against your body. The gold tuners are a nice touch, and more important, the guitar stays in tune. It frets easily and accurately up and down the neck; I've checked it with a chromatic tuner. MF calls this the Mmv; the wood label on the inside says it is a custom model. It is about as close to a D-28 as you can come. And it is made in the U.S.A.

Everything about this guitar bespeaks quality. It is light but not too light. It has a substantial feel. All acoustic guitars require care and protection from abuse and extremes in humidity and temperature, but some are more durable than others. There is a real sense that this guitar will endure and improve with age.

It is not easy and maybe not even appropriate to rate the value of a guitar by its price. The greater value is intrinsic. That said, this is a lot of guitar for the money. You could easily pay twice as much for similar quality.

I own several top of the line guitars including a Gretsch White Falcon and Gibson Songwriter, and now the Martin. They are all special in their own way. I grew up in a family of bluegrass musicians on a farm in the Ozarks. That's one of the reasons I wanted a Martin, and I find myself reaching for it first in most cases. It sort of takes me home again. As I said, the value of a guitar is intrinsic. I expect a lot from a guitar. The Mmv exceeds my expectations. It fits me well. It plays fast and easy. It's voice is pure and sweet. If you are shopping for an acoustic guitar, you won't find a better value. Nor will you find a better guitar than the Martin Mmv.

Rating "Features" on a purely acoustic guitar is basically meaningless. It is what it is and does what it does. But the Marshall Mmv does what it does so perfectly that I'm giving it a maximum score.

This instrument is perfection. Truly. I've been playing for almost fifty years and owned several dozen instruments. (I presently own half that number) None is finer than this guitar. None.

The design, of course, is pure and simple Martin. Martins can be flashy or they can be "plain." This one has a few touches of flash -- the gold tuners for instance and the particularly tasteful rosette, but its beauty remains its simplicity. And its extraordinarily fine materials, construction and finish.

Sound-wise it is pure Martin Dreadnaught but perhaps a little less 'scooped' then some I have played. I.e., it has the expected Martin bass chunk and the usual Martin sparkling top end, but it also has a smoother more equally balanced sound. I suppose to some this might be a disappointment; to me it was a gift.

Playability was superb right out of the box. Moderately low action, Near perfect intonation (the bridge is slightely carved for compensation). Why it was even in pretty close to correct tune! (How'd they manage that?)

In other words shes a "Ten."

Impossibly good. Truly. I've craved having a Martin in my collection for nearly 40 years. This one made it possible.

Though MF sells this as an Mmv the model name on the instrument's (laser cut) wooden interior "sticker" says it is a "Custom."  MF must have worked out quite the deal for us with C.F. Martin and passed it along. Wow!

Let me add some supporting details to all the above...

This guitar has a modified "A" brace design. The original"A" bracing system was initially used on some of the more recent less expensive models. It was apparently a bit less costly to make (fewer pieces), burt also had some advantages over the long-used "X" brace system. One was that the forward section -- that between the sound hole and the neck -- was better supported and thus likely would require fewer "neck resets" than other models. This was important to the company because they will reset the neck as many times as is needed at no cost to the original owner over his or her lifetime.

The "downside" to the new design was a little less bass 'thump.'

The modeified "A" used on the Mmv provides the best of both. It has the well supported "A" design up front, but a complex "X" beacing system much like the original from the sound hole back. I think it is this combination that makes the guitar sound as evenly balanced as it does.

The wood used on my copy is truly lovely. The grain of the soundboard is even and close. The rose wood fine. The ebony a deep black -- sadly sometimes not the case on some newer guitars.

The "fit and finish" to use an automotive phrase is perfection. It is as good as on any Martin guitar I have ever seen or played. Less fancy then some, yes, but just as well crafted.

The neck is lovely. I played mostly electric (Gibsons and Fenders) for most of my years -- as a working musician with a well known recording back in the `60s -- so I am used to low action. For an acoustic this guitar comes pretty close to my ideal. The action is low but totally buzz free all the way up the neck.

The "Martin" inscribed tuners (Gotohs?) are fine. Smooth in action, firm in holding string tention. The gold finish is particularly lovely.

The case is heavy. Probably not the first choice for on-the-road use. (I expect the vinyl surface would be easily damaged) But it cradles the guitar well and looks just fine-- plush really! -- for use in the home an an occasion car trip.

As all the above suggests I cannot recommend this guitar more highly. If you've always wanted a Martin and couldn't quite swing the cost this is your chance. Cheap? No. But an absolutely stunningly good deal.

Here's the Martin MMV negatives: single ply top binding and comes with the basic Martin case. Also, you have to explain to other Martin players what MMV stands for. (There is the rarer HD MMV with herringbone binding that can be found for a few more dollars, you can buy a fancier Martin case.

Not a single flaw. Even a top scratch I thought mine had came off with Martin finish cleaner (oops, might have been dog snot...)

This is the most affordable Martin Dreadnought that doesn't use "man-made" materials or have a satin finish. And that rosewood still smells great after five years!

Buy the D45 if you must, but this is everything I need, plus gold plated hardware (had to add my own gold plated strap button) and the fun of confusing other players (no, it's not a D21).

Beautiful guitar!!

I have never heard such a beautiful sound, it was so full and clear

Great Price

Salesman was exceptional answering my questions.  It was delivered so fast.  And the sound was beautiful, so full and clear.  A keeper for life!