Martin Custom Shop M Paisley Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Ember Burst

Some guitars are built simply to be played—others are built to be played and admired in equal measure. The Martin Custom Shop M Paisley acoustic-electric guitar belongs firmly in the latter category, merging bold visual artistry with the meticulous craftsmanship that defines Martin’s highest-level instruments. Designed by Martin President and CEO Thomas Ripsam and available for one year only, this striking M/0000-sized Custom Shop creation reimagines the classic Martin silhouette through a distinctly modern lens. An Engelmann spruce top detailed with a custom paisley motif meets quilted maple back and sides beneath a flowing Ember Burst gloss finish, pairing visual depth with articulate projection. Forward-shifted Adirondack spruce X-bracing adds clarity, headroom and harmonic complexity, while a black walnut neck carved to Martin’s GE Modified Low Oval profile balances vintage-inspired feel with modern playability. From the hand-signed internal label to the European flamed maple binding and custom abalone snowflake inlays, every detail of this limited-run Martin Custom Shop instrument reflects a deliberate union of artistic expression and performance-driven precision.

Engelmann Spruce and Quilted Maple Shape a Clear, Responsive Voice

The M Paisley's M/0000 14-fret body strikes a distinctive balance between breadth and focus, offering deeper low-end support than an OM while retaining articulate projection and tonal control. Its Engelmann spruce top delivers a supple response and warm fundamental, rewarding a nuanced touch with immediate clarity. Quilted maple back and sides enhance note separation and high-end definition while keeping the bass response tight and controlled. Forward-shifted Adirondack spruce X-bracing, hand-scalloped to Martin’s Golden Era specification, allows the top to move more freely—improving dynamic headroom, expanding harmonic complexity and ensuring the instrument’s refined visual design is matched by an equally sophisticated voice.

Black Walnut Neck and Ebony Fingerboard Support Fluid Playability

A black walnut neck carved to Martin’s GE Modified Low Oval profile with a high-performance taper offers a vintage-informed feel that remains agile and comfortable during extended playing sessions. The traditional dovetail neck joint maximizes vibration transfer between neck and body, enhancing sustain and tonal cohesion. With its 25.4" scale length and 1.75" bone nut width, the instrument provides balanced string tension and generous spacing for articulate fingerstyle passages and clean chord transitions. An ebony fingerboard and bridge further reinforce durability and precise note articulation across all 20 frets.

LR Baggs Anthem Electronics Deliver Natural Amplified Tone

The LR Baggs Anthem pickup system captures the full dimensional character of the paisley Ember Burst with remarkable accuracy. By blending an undersaddle pickup with an internal microphone, the Anthem preserves both the immediacy of string attack and the natural resonance of the guitar’s body. This hybrid design maintains dynamic nuance and harmonic detail while offering reliable feedback resistance for live performance. Whether on stage or in the studio, the system translates the warmth of Engelmann spruce and the clarity of maple with balance, depth and minimal coloration.

Custom Paisley Motif and Custom Shop Appointments Elevate the Design

The visual identity of this Custom Shop instrument begins with an intricate paisley motif that flows across the Engelmann spruce top, framed by a rich Ember Burst gloss finish that enhances depth and dimensionality. European flamed maple binding outlines the body, fingerboard and headplate with luminous contrast, while herringbone purfling and a Style 28 multi-stripe rosette connect the design to Martin’s long-standing aesthetic tradition. Custom four-point abalone snowflake inlays add refined detail, complemented by a quilted maple headplate with a block inlay logo. Waverly gold tuning machines and a GE Modern Belly ebony bridge with bone saddle and pins complete the instrument with precision and understated elegance.

A Limited Custom Shop Instrument Built for Tone and Distinction

Available for only one year and featuring a hand-signed, numbered label, this exquisite Custom Shop creation reflects Martin’s highest level of craftsmanship and design. Its Engelmann spruce and quilted maple tonewood pairing, Golden Era bracing and LR Baggs electronics deliver a voice that is clear, dynamic and harmonically rich, while the bespoke paisley artwork transforms the familiar M silhouette into a striking visual statement. For players seeking a guitar that merges expressive tone with collectible artistry, the Martin Custom Shop M Paisley stands as a refined example of modern acoustic guitar craftsmanship.