All-solid truly handmade, first grade old aged tone woods, a powerful and bouncy, quick attack and completely finished in French polish...unbeatable in its price range.
This new Martin is suitable for the ambitious beginner and advanced guitarist. In near mint, new condition, she projects a very responsive and open sound modulating easily between a sweet, lyrical tone and an aggressive, percussive punch with plenty of volume and character. Playability is fast and comfortable as would be expected of a great Martin flamenco guitar. The back and sides of this Martin negra are made from gorgeous cocobolo projecting a very colorful and strong tone. The top is made from first grade old aged spruce having lots of bearclaw and cross silk patterns, essential for the top to respond in all its registers. Martin also added elaborate purflings back inlays, making this new negra also very beautiful to the eye.
As a very young child, Martin loved working with woods and he never lost this love. Already at an age of 14, while studying at the music conservatory in Holland and playing mainly Spanish guitar music, Martin started to work, during his free time, in the workshop of a local guitar luthier, constructing his first flamenco guitar in 1993. While keep on attending many classes in traditional guitar construction and French polish, Martin has always sought intensive contacts with both local and prominent flamenco guitarists such as Niño de Pura, Gerardo Nunez and Manolo Franco, to understand their specific needs and to incorporate them into his guitar construction. As a result as well as due to a large number of repairs and restorations of famous old flamenco guitars of Ramirez, Santos Hernandez, Manuel Reyes, Contreras and Esteso, Martin was able to perfect his skills to a very high level. Although still being quite young, Martin has a remarkable experience of 20 years in traditional guitar construction. Due to the quality of his work and his affordable prices, today many considered him as a well respected, excellent luthier with an enormous potential ahead.
