
( Brand: Martin ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: 2090417 ), ( Part Type: Guitar )
The Martin Guitar 00-28V Series represents a clever fusion of tradition and innovation, delivering a balanced and dynamic tone with excellent projection. One of its notable features is the Wildwood progressive tonebar bracing, which is a key element of this guitar's structural design that enhances the instrument's tonal qualities. Let's delve deeper into this specific feature and explore its implications for the overall sound and performance of the 00-28V model.
The Wildwood progressive tonebar bracing system is an engineering advancement introduced by C.F. Martin & Co. This bracing pattern, designated as 2090417, consists of a combination of graduated, tapered, and parallel tonebars integrated into the guitar's top structure. These bars are carefully crafted from solid Sitka spruce, providing optimal strength and flexibility to create a more responsive and expressive top.
The primary purpose of bracing in a guitar is to support the top against the tension of the strings and provide a means for the transfer of vibrational energy throughout the instrument. Traditional X-bracing, which is commonly used in many acoustic guitars, was designed for the heavy-bodied dreadnought shape, optimized for bold, powerful sound. However, the X-brace design may not be ideally suited for smaller body sizes like the 00-series, where a more nuanced and articulate tone is desirable.
Martin's Wildwood progressive tonebar bracing is, in essence, a XX-brace pattern that is scaled down to meet the requirements of smaller bodies. This bracing style optimizes the soundboard's response by allowing for a more uniform load distribution and reducing the mass of the bracing material. The result is a guitar with improved clarity, volume, and articulation while maintaining the desirable warmth and rich tone character associated with Martin 00-series instruments.
The progressive nature of the tonebars refers to their tapering over the length of the top, which results in a gradual transition from the bridge area to the soundhole. This design element enhances the sound projection and resonance, contributing to the instrument's symmetrical and balanced tone. The parallel tonebars situated under the soundhole further support the top, making it more vulnerable to hole damage, and improve the guitar's structural integrity.
With Wildwood progressive tonebar bracing, Martin Guitars have succeeded in creating a cutting-edge solution for enhancing the tonal qualities of their 00-28V Series. This innovative bracing pattern enables this versatile instrument to deliver an impressive balance of clarity, projection, and warmth, offering both fingerstyle and strumming players an ideal platform for expressing their musical ideas.
The Martin 00-28 and the Wildwood Progressive Tonebars Bracing System are two popular options in the acoustic guitar market. While the 00-28 is a traditional Martin model with standard X-bracing, the Wildwood Progressive Tonebars offer an innovative bracing design that aims to improve tonal quality. Here's a detailed comparison of both options to help you make an informed decision.
Martin 00-28: Pros:1. High-quality materials: Martin Guitars are renowned for their solid wood backs, sides, and tops, which contribute to the vintage, rich, and well-balanced sound.
2. Classic design: Traditional X-bracing offers a solid foundation for the top, ensuring an appropriate transfer of sound from the strings to the body.
3. Playability: Martin's necks are known for their smooth finish and easy playability.
Cons:1. Cost: The Martin 00-28 is an mid-price range guitar, making it a more expensive investment compared to some other brands.
2. Limited tonal variety: While the traditional X-bracing sound is desirable for many musicians, some players may seek additional tonal versatility.
Wildwood Progressive Tonebars Bracing System: Pros:1. Customizable tone: The progressive tonebars provide a design that allows knowledgable luthiers to adjust bridge placement, allowing for greater tonal customization.
2. Enhanced bass response: This bracing design improves bass response for a fuller sound.
3. Original Martin tone with added versatility: Players who prefer the Martin tone but want more control over their sound can opt for this system while still benefiting from Martin's signature sound.
Cons:1. Complex installation: The progressive tonebars require a skilled luthier to properly install, which may add to the overall cost.
2. Additional cost: The cost of purchasing a guitar with the wildwood progressive tonebars can be more expensive than a base model Martin guitar.
3. Limited availability: As this is a unique modification, finding a guitar with the wildwood progressive tonebars pre-installed may pose a challenge.
Conclusion:Both the Martin 00-28 and the Wildwood Progressive Tonebars Bracing System offer unique advantages for the acoustic guitar player. The traditional 00-28 delivers the vintage Martin tone that many musicians value, while the innovative progressive tonebars bracing system adds versatility and customization options. Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal preferences and priorities, such as desired tonal characteristics, budget, and willingness to undergo a custom installation.
Recommendation:If you value the classic Martin sound and prefer to stick with a more traditional approach, then the Martin 00-28 is an excellent choice. However, if you are looking for a more customized and versatile sound, as well as the familiar Martin tone, consider investing in a guitar with the Wildwood Progressive Tonebars Bracing System. Just ensure that the installation is carried out by a skilled luthier to guarantee optimal performance.
This guitar is inspiring. Off the charts sustain tends to be a given with 12 fret guitars, but this one in particular has some extra Moho going on that department tasteful bouquet of overtones hovering top.
The bass response on this one is quite nice, too with a stunningly clear and crisp mid-range. The bass response is full and forward projecting this one has an uncommonly sophisticated harmonic range.
Tonal evaluation this is a ferociously dynamic guitar with gorgeous shimmer on the top end, and beautiful mid-range resonance. Notably, the end goal was further tuning for bass focus and mid treble presence. Step up to the tone bar.
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. 9 width at nut: 1/3 4 binding: grained overdressed: : waver side mount bridge: solid black ebony pyramid bridge spacing: saddle: bone case: hard shell case, gibe style. 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. 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.
From the moment we opened cases, could hear and feel difference. 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. Paired with that irresistible mahogany clarity, this one will keep you up at night. 920 9 fingerboard: solid black ebony scale length : 24.
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.
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.
We chose a beautifully quartered Adirondack top to replace the standard steak spruce as well braces with progressively scalloped tone bars tonal evaluation goal of this guitar was put wildwood spin on tried and true 00-28VS model that Martin offers part their lovely timeless vintage series. When wildwood guitars wanted to launch a project that would drive the tone throughout breadth of popular Martin body shapes, we jumped at opportunity.