With the SC-13E, Martin's design team (led by Chief Product Officer and industry veteran Fred Greene) sought to rethink what an acoustic-electric guitar could do. How do you redesign the guitar so it can keep up with today's plugged-in, cross-genre, pedalboard-packing, loop-station wizards? Do you want to play leads all the way up the neck? Play longer? Play louder? The SC-13E is a fantastic choice.
The SC-13E's unique offset body is a fresh look for the acoustic guitar industry, but it's more than just a new shape. Combined with unique Tone Tension X Bracing, the asymmetrical body shape produces balanced output with clean headroom. Although it sounds fantastic unplugged, the SC-13E was designed from the ground up to be plugged-in. Its body shape provides gain before feedback, so whether you're on stage or jamming out in your music room, go ahead and crank it up!
While the offset body is the most obvious new feature on the SC-13E, Martin's new Sure Align neck system is perhaps one of the more intriguing neck designs any modern guitar builder has introduced. The Sure Align features a Linear Dovetail neck joint, where the dovetail is essentially parallel with the strings instead of perpendicular. This eliminates the need for a neck heel, so Martin rounds off the back of the guitar where the neck heel would be. This gives you comfortable, effortless access all the way to the end of the fingerboard. Combined with the new, low-profile velocity barrel-shaped neck that ergonomically accommodates your hand as you move up the neck, this system gives you the comfort and playability of an electric.
As far as future setup adjustments are concerned, the Sure Align neck system also has a built-in Shim port in the neck block. This will allow future guitar techs to adjust the neck angle with ease. In 40 years, this guitar won't need an expensive neck reset to play its best!
Although the design team focused on its performance plugged-in, the SC-13E is still a Martin, so it sounds amazing unplugged. But by removing the limitations of the conventional cutaway acoustic-electric, Martin delivers a guitar that can cover a wide range of sounds without limits. As soon as you try it, you'll quickly understand why the SC-13E sent shockwaves through the guitar industry. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that only America's oldest guitar-builder could deliver the most cutting edge technology.
- Body Size: Offset S 13-Fret Cutaway
- Construction: Sure Align Linear Dovetail Neck Joint
- Top: Sitka Spruce
- Bracing Pattern: Tone Tension X Brace
- Brace Shape: Treble Side Scalloped X with Non-Scalloped Tone Bars
- Brace Material: Sitka Spruce
- Brace Size: 5/16" with 1/4" Tone Bars
- Back & Sides: Hardwood with Fine Koa Veneer
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- Nut: White Corian, 1-3/4"
- Fingerborde & Bridge: Solid Ebony
- Neck Shape: Low-Profile Velocity
- Bridge String Spacing: 2-5/32"
- Saddle: Drop-In Compensated White Tusq w/ 16" radius
- Tuning Machines: nickel Open Gear w/ Butterbean buttons
This 2020 Martin SC-13E is gently used and in excellent condition all around. At first glance, it almost looks brand new, but as you look it over, you can see the faintest hint playwear—just enough to let you know it's not a new guitar. Also, there is some finish separation around the neck joint area (see photos), but no repairs or issues. Used SC-13Es are rare, and this one is about as clean as you could ask a used guitar to be. It plays great and sounds like it should, too. Original deluxe padded soft case included!