Martinez - Standard MC-88S CET Black and White Ebony

The Martinez Standard MC-88S CET Black and White Ebony is based first and foremost on its shape, not its sound. The thin-body cutaway reduces the thickness of the body and opens up access to the higher registers, a choice that redefines the position of the left hand across the 20 frets of the rosewood fingerboard.

Beneath the strings, the solid spruce top carries the weight of the sound. This wood opens up over time and retains its presence when playing a barre chord. The mahogany neck follows the same principle: a stable wood that absorbs the stresses of the 650 mm scale length without interfering with the strings.

At the back, the Indian rosewood back and sides enclose the soundbox, producing a dense bass that fills a room. The natural gloss finish reveals the wood’s grain rather than concealing it – a design choice that appeals as much to the eye as to the ear.

The 52 mm nut leaves enough space between the strings for classical arpeggios, without turning the neck into a motorway for large hands. The six strings respond with tension calibrated for nylon, ranging from a muted bass to a clear treble.

This 4/4 classical guitar is equally at home in rehearsals and on the go, carried in the case supplied with purchase. A guitar for those who want a classical instrument without the bulk of a full-size model, from the living room to the small stage.