Martinez - Standard MC-48C CE RN

Cedar has its devotees, and Martinez offers them the MC-48C CE RN. Unlike spruce, which has a sharper attack, the solid cedar top responds with a warmth that envelops the note from the very first strum. The bass gains in roundness, the midrange in richness: ideal for those who prefer a velvety tone to a biting one.

The mahogany sides and back extend this warm tone, a combination of woods that gives the instrument a consistent tone from the bass to the treble. The mahogany neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard, a classic combination that ensures a supple feel under the fingers, whilst the 52 mm nut width gives the six strings plenty of room to vibrate without interfering with one another.

The thin-body design and its cutaway provide easy access to the upper frets, a feature that appeals to guitarists from genres other than pure classical who wish to explore the upper neck without straining. The 4/4 size and 650 mm scale length nevertheless retain the hallmarks of a classical guitar in the larger size range.

The glossy natural finish highlights the cedar’s grain rather than concealing it, a clean aesthetic that works equally well in the living room and on stage. The Fishman system transmits this warm tone to the amp or mixing desk, from the home studio to the concert hall. Assembled in China, the MC-48C CE RN completes the Standard series with a sound all of its own.