
( Brand: Martin ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: 2087811 ), ( Part Type: Guitar Bar )
Introduction
The Martin Guitars Wildwood 000-18 acoustic guitar is a masterpiece, showcasing the finest craftsmanship and innovative design. This instrument is part of Martin's Wildwood Series, which offers a unique blend of traditional looks and modern features. One of the most significant upgrades in this model is the use of Martin's revolutionary Progressive Tone Bar Bracing. In this product description, we will delve into the details of this groundbreaking construction and explore how it contributes to the Wildwood 000-18's superior sound quality.
Traditional Design Meets Modern Innovation: The 000-18 Wildwood Edition
The Martin Wildwood Series reflects the rich history of the Martin guitar company, with its authentic traditional appearance. The Wildwood 000-18 is a testament to this legacy, featuring a solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back, sides, and neck, as well as a rich, satin finish. The model boasts a 000 body size, which is slightly smaller than a dreadnought, making it comfortable for various playing styles and ideal for those who prefer a more focused and articulate sound.
The Magic of Progressive Tone Bar Bracing
Progressive Tone Bar Bracing is an innovative design introduced by Martin Guitars as part of their effort to improve the tonal quality of their instruments. Traditional X-bracing, while effective, has limitations in producing even tension and flexibility across the soundboard. In contrast, Martin's Progressive Tone Bar Bracing utilizes gently angled, tapered bars that provide superior soundboard stability while allowing the top to flex naturally.
These tone bars are carefully designed to transition smoothly from the base of the bridge plate to the soundhole. This innovative design results in a more evenly distributed tension across the soundboard, allowing the guitar to produce a richer, more balanced tone with enhanced clarity and projection. Moreover, the progressive bracing allows the Wildwood 000-18 to respond well to different playing styles and techniques, expanding its versatility as a versatile acoustic instrument.
Superior Craftsmanship and Fine Tuning
Each Martin guitar is handcrafted by skilled luthiers, and the Wildwood 000-18 is no exception. The instrument's neck features a comfortable modified low oval profile, making it ideal for various playing styles. The 1-11/16" bone nut and 20:1 tuning machines ensure that the strings stay in tune, enabling you to focus on your playing and not worry about inconsistencies in intonation.
Additional features include a solid East Indian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, as well as elegant pearl diamonds and square position markers. The bridge and top binding are made of maple, giving the instrument a polished, eye-catching appearance. Overall, the Wildwood 000-18 encompasses both Martin's rich heritage and cutting-edge design, making it an excellent choice for discerning musicians who value exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled tone.
Conclusion
The Martin Guitars Wildwood 000-18 Progressive Tone Bar Bracing acoustic guitar is a marvel of modern luthierie and an excellent example of how traditional design can be paired with innovative techniques to create a truly outstanding instrument. With its solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back, sides, and neck, and groundbreaking Progressive Tone Bar Bracing, the Wildwood 000-18 offers a full, rich, and articulate sound, ideal for any playing style or musical genre. Whether you are a seasoned performer or a beginner looking for an instrument to grow with, the Martin Wildwood 000-18 is a worthy investment that will provide years of musical enjoyment.
The Martin Guitars Wildwood 000-18 with Progressive Tone Bar Bracing is a high-quality acoustic guitar that is popular among musicians for its unique tonal characteristics and craftsmanship. To help you make an informed decision before making a purchase, here are some pros and cons of owning this particular Martin model.
Pros:1. Rich and balanced tone: The progressive tone bar bracing used in this guitar allows for efficient transfer of vibrations from the top to the back and sides, resulting in a rich, full-bodied sound with excellent clarity and balance.
2. Sitka Spruce Top: The solid Sitka spruce top provides the guitar with excellent projection and sensitivity, making it ideal for various playing styles and genres.
3. Mahogany Back and Sides: Mahogany back and sides provide a warm, rich tone that complements the brightness of the spruce top, resulting in a well-balanced sound.
4. Vintage-style appointments: The guitar features vintage-style tuners, a solid East Indian Rosewood bridge, and a hand-rubbed, natural finish, all of which contribute to its classic look and feel.
5. Playability: The Wildwood 000-18 features a modified low oval neck shape, which is comfortable for most players, and a 25.4-inch scale length, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles.
Cons:1. Expensive: The Martin Wildwood 000-18 with Progressive Tone Bar Bracing is on the higher end of the price range for acoustic guitars, which may be a barrier for some potential buyers.
2. May require a break-in period: Some players have reported that this guitar requires a break-in period to fully develop its tonal qualities, which can be frustrating for those who prefer an immediate sound.
3. Fingerboard radius: The guitar's 12-inch fingerboard radius may be too flat for some players, especially those with larger hands or a preferred playing style that requires a more curved fingerboard.
4. No hardshell case included: Although the Martin Wildwood 000-18 comes with a gig bag, a hardshell case is recommended for better protection during transportation and storage.
Conclusion:The Martin Guitars Wildwood 000-18 with Progressive Tone Bar Bracing is an excellent choice for players who value a rich, balanced tone and classic craftsmanship. Its vintage-style appointments, comfortable neck, and high-quality construction ensure that it will last for years to come. However, its price point and potential need for a break-in period may be drawbacks for some. Ultimately, if you are willing to invest in a premium acoustic guitar with exceptional tone andplayability, the Martin Wildwood 000-18 with Progressive Tone Bar Bracing is definitely worth considering.
Recommendation:If you are interested in the Martin Wildwood 000-18 with Progressive Tone Bar Bracing but are concerned about the price or the potential break-in period, consider the Martin Guitars D-15M or the Martin Guitars 000-15M as alternative options in the mid-price range that still offer excellent tone and craftsmanship. Otherwise, if the price is not a concern and you are looking for a premium acoustic guitar with a rich, balanced sound and vintage-style appointments, the Martin Wildwood 000-18 with Progressive Tone Bar Bracing is an excellent choice.
Theres really no other way to express it, than say it just sounds right. The right amount of bass, mid range punch and treble snap. Tonal evaluation this is a ferociously dynamic guitar with gorgeous shimmer on the top end, and beautiful mid-range resonance.
Compared to the standard tone bars found extensively throughout Martin lineup, progressively scalloped are shorter in peak height by 25 nearly 40 respectively, and measured provide an overall weight reduction of approximately 20 contrast their normal counterparts. Many guitar enthusiasts are familiar with the typical sound signature of iconic Martin model's, and know they re also an excellent jumping-on point in quest for tone customization. To my ear, this one is everything I would hope for out of a mahogany Adirondack-clad body and more.
Paired with that irresistible mahogany clarity, this one will keep you up at night. The bass response is full and forward projecting this one has an uncommonly sophisticated harmonic range. The more in this case being bass response theres formidable power to one that has be heard believed.
9 scale length width at nut: 1-3 4 nut material: bonehead stock: solid east Indian rosewood binding: tortoise style rosette: old 18 tuners: Goth open gear tuners with butter bean knobs bridge: : style case: black hard shell case. These instruments offer a unique experience, delivering all the tonal magic of Adirondack spruce, with an incredible dynamic response, exceptional volume push and HD-like ultra wide frequency response that has to be heard believed.
Progressively scalloped bars, not commonly found among the standard lineup, exploit strength of legendary Martin x-brace while reducing mass from overall assembly with goal quickening top and promoting maximum tonal spectrum. We feel that Adirondack and mahogany is a match made in heaven guitars like this make it immediately evident why. From the moment we opened cases, could hear and feel difference tonal evaluation simply put, you take this one with into battle.
While there are endless combinations possible throughout Martins impressive model history, we collaborated to arrive at the wildwood formula not a radical departure from standard, yet employs unique strategy with potential further open up tone envelope. 880 9 scale length : 24. Step up to the tone bar.
Adirondack spruce tops and bracing, along with the progressive tone bars have created an experience like no other, astounding clarity, vivid, dynamic highs, a low end that is simply breathtaking. Notably, the end goal was further tuning for bass focus and mid treble presence. When wildwood guitars wanted to launch a project that would drive the tone throughout breadth of popular Martin body shapes, we jumped at opportunity.