Jason Isbell is no stranger to Telluride—he most recently came through town for the 2025 Telluride Bluegrass Festival with his band the 400 Unit. Over the past two decades, Isbell has emerged as one of the defining songwriters in contemporary Americana, known for his unflinching lyrics, rich storytelling, and reverence for roots music traditions. On his solo album "Foxes in the Snow," Jason used only one guitar—his treasured 1940 Martin 0-17—and captured some of the richest acoustic guitar tone ever recorded.
Built in Navajoa, Mexico, the 0-10E Retro Jason Isbell recreates the tone, feel, and vibe of Jason's guitar, but in an accessible Road Series package. It is the only Road Series model with a 14-fret 0-size body, and that's the smallest full-size Martin design. It has a 24.9" scale length, and it is constructed with a solid Mahogany top, back, and sides. With a 1-3/4" nut width and Performing Artist neck profile, it's an approachable, dependable guitar that's ready to deliver night after night.
Under the hood, the 0-10E Retro Jason Isbell has the new Martin E1 electronics. This is a slick setup with soundhole-mounted controls, including a built-in tuner. Some comparable guitars come with inferior fingerboards, but this model is properly built with a genuine East Indian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Plus, it comes from the factory with Grover open-back tuners. The Road Series models are designed to be plug-and-play, gig-ready axes, so it's a nice package, especially with the included soft-shell case.
- Body Size: 0-14 Fret
- Construction: Mortise & Tenon neck joint
- Top: Solid Mahogany
- Back & Sides: Solid Mahogany
- Finish: Dark Mahogany color satin
- Bracing: Scalloped X-bracing
- Braces: Spruce, 5/16"
- Neck: Select hardwood
- Neck shape: PA Profile with High-Performance Taper,
- Scale Length: 24.9"
- Frets: 20
- Fingerboard: East Indian Rosewood with Old Style 17 white Boltaron inlays, 16" radius
- Nut Width: 1 3/4"
- Nut Material: White Corian
- Bridge: East Indian Rosewood Modern Straightline with 2 5/32" spacing
- Saddle: White Tusq
- Bridge Pins: Black plastic
- Rosette: Single ring wood fiber
- Pickguard: Faux tortoise
- Headstock: Solid with East Indian rosewood headplate and Script Old Style overlay logo
- Tuners: Nickel Grover open-gear with butterbean knobs
- Electronics: Martin E1