Post by Martin on Feb 11, 2019 16:29:33 GMT
Got this last night, second hand via Facebook. Martin 000RS1, part of their Road Series, all solid Sapele with (what looks like) a mahogany neck, Richlite fingerboard/bridge and basic Fishman Sonicore pickup system. Got the guitar is excellent condition with Martin hard case for a decent price, and it looks and sounds really lovely.
The idea was that I get something of good quality I could take out with me, as I've been asked (by various people who have never heard me play) to "bring a guitar next time".
I already had a rather groovy USA Ovation guitar I got for this purpose, but my wife, style guru that she is, pronounced the bowl back, orange-topped beauty to be "a monstrosity" and hinted gently to "get that thing out of my house". I duly obliged but found myself still needing something nice but solid that I could take out and about.
Spotted this a few days ago, hummed and hawwed for a bit and then took the plunge.
It's amazing for the money really. Sounds (and looks) quite a bit like Martin's sublime 000-15m. Maybe not quite as vibrant and open, but not far off, with a gorgeous richness to the tone, slightly dark and with a bit of meaty thump being it. It's also not as lightweight as the 15 series, which is a shame as I love a lightly-built guitar, but it doesn't take much away from the sound and I put the increased weight down to being solidly built for the road (road series, geddit? ). This might suit me perfectly as I don't want to worry too much about bumps and scrapes.
I thought it might have the Stratobond style neck, but no this is hardwood and looks suspiciously like solid mahogany to me. The neck shape feels nice and comfortable, but not huge. My only gripe about this is that I would have preferred the edges of the fingerboard to be rolled off a bit - they're pronounced and dig in a little when playing, so I might need to see how Richlite likes the edge of a sanding block at some point
Overall a really well made, nice sounding, great feeling guitar at a bargain price......I'm well pleased with it