Martinez - MC-18 Toledo 1/2 + Housse

The clear sound of a small soundbox resonates from the very first notes of the Martinez MC-18 Toledo ½, a half-size classical guitar designed with a neck within easy reach for children and beginners. Its 544 mm (21.42-inch) scale length brings the frets closer together, so every chord can be formed without straining the wrist. The 44 mm (1.73-inch) nut keeps the strings tight, whilst the left hand can cover all six strings in a single stroke.

The laminated spruce top delivers a crisp attack and withstands the knocks of vigorous learning. The laminated sapelli back and sides impart a warm mid-range tone to this light-coloured wood. The okoumé neck remains stable even with changes in humidity and glides smoothly under the palm. The neck, glued to the body, concentrates the transfer of vibrations into the soundbox. The satin finish allows the wood to be felt beneath the fingers, whilst light falls on the soundbox without harsh reflections.

This guitar is ideal for classical method books, school workshops and quiet evening jam sessions. It is crafted at the Martinez workshops in China, a company whose history began in Germany in 1978 before relocating to Guangzhou in 2005 with Kenny Hill as technical advisor. This continuity between two traditions explains why the MC-18 Toledo ½ features in so many learning journeys.