Because Martin has dominated the steel-string guitar market for nearly 100 years, it's easy to forget that—for the company's first 90 years—most Martin designs resemble what today is considered a "classical" guitar. While modern nylon-string Martins may be relatively rare, they are fine instruments, built with the honed precision and attention to detail of the 187-year Martin tradition.
The Martin 000C12-16E introduces modern innovations to the traditional classical/nylon-string guitar concept. The result is a unique hybrid guitar that covers a vast sonic landscape. It is the ideal choice for any nuanced classical guitarist or curious steel-string player looking to expand their tonal palette.
The 000C12-16E starts with a 12-fret 000 body with a cutaway that allows unfettered access all the way up to the 20th fret. While most classical guitars have a wide 2" nut and a flat fingerboard, the 000C12-16E has an approachable 1-7/8" nut width and a radiused fingerboard that facilitates all sorts of playing styles. Thanks to the added tension of its 26.44" scale length and its lightweight "A-frame" bracing, its Spruce top produces plenty of volume and shimmering, crystal-clear trebles. Nevertheless, it is not lacking in bass content by any means—Mahogany back and sides add robust warmth to the tone. Equipped with Martin E1 the 000C-1216E is ready for the stage or the studio, but its inspiring tone and smooth playability will ensure it becomes the favorite in the living room, too.
- Body: 12-Fret 000 w/ Cutaway
- Construction: Simple Dovetail Neck Joint
- Top: Spruce
- Back & Sides: Mahogany
- Brace Pattern: "A-Frame" X-Brace System
- Brace Material: Sitka Spruce, 1/4"
- Scale Length: 26.44"
- Nut: Bone, 1-7/8"
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Fingerbard Radius: 18"
- Neck Shape: Low Profile
- Bridge: Ebony w/ Drop-in Saddle
- Saddle: White Tusq w/ 2-5/16" Stirng Spacing
- Electronics: Martin E1
The Martin 000C12-16E includes a deluxe soft-shell road case.