USA-made pickups and electronics make the new S2 Custom 24-08 and S2 Vela elegant, outstanding, all-American instruments.
Watch John Bohlinger summon the ghosts of two songwriting powerhouses as we learn about a special piece of acoustic history.
This well worn D-18 was coined “Grandpa” by Kurt Cobain, and was gifted to the rocker by then girlfriend Mary Lou Lord In 1991. Used by Cobain while on tour for Nirvana’s second and most notable album Nevermind. After Cobain’s death, the instrument was returned to Mary Lou Lord who toured with late rocker Elliott Smith who also used the guitar. (Courtesy of Martin Guitar.)
Check out a demo of a pre-war Martin D-45 & the oldest Martin alive today.
Breedlove Organic Solo Pro Concert Edgeburst 12 CE Demo | First Look
This highly responsive, concert-ready 12-string rings beautifully—enhanced by the company’s new bridge truss—and boasts a sustainable cedar top and mahogany back and sides, a side port for easy listening, and a Fishman pickup system.
12-string guitars can be…polarizing, but like them or loathe them, you can’t deny the centrality of that ringing sound to some of the past half-century’s most iconic music. You know, Hotel California, Over the Hills and Far Away, Wish You Were Here—just to name a few of the anthems girded by a double dose of steel strings. We designed the Solo Concert 12-String for players looking for a robust yet nuanced 12-String guitar, one that’s not a gimmicky sideshow but a purpose-built professional-grade instrument. The side monitor soundhole virtually puts you in the audience while you play, without diminishing the forward sound projection of your music, a particularly useful feature when playing with a group of musicians. The tone is warm and rich with a solid red cedar top and solid African Mahogany back and sides, and that sound remains clear and full when plugged in with Fishman Flex Plus-T electronics. The cutaway body allows players full access to the entire ovangkol fretboard for when you want to get weird up the scale. Say what you will about 12-strings, but play this one before casting any aspersions.