This beautiful 2023 guitar is from my personal collection. I’m downsizing a bit, and unlike a standard 000-28, the Modern Deluxe is loaded with high-tech and ultra-premium upgrades designed to increase volume and reduce weight. The Liquidmetal® bridge pins improve acoustic string performance. The gold Waverly tuners, fret wires and strap buttons all show a bit more glitz under the lights.

This MD includes Martin’s torrefied VTS Sitka spruce top and rosewood sides and back. Martin’s VTS process artificially ages the top, curing it to — quoting Martin — “mimic the cellular structure and open, resonant sound of a Martin from the 1930s.“ I’ve never played a guitar from the 1930’s, so cannot say. However this guitar has a gorgeous tone, bright projection, and is as beautiful and clear when played softly as it is when strummed or picked with volume and force. (I play this with D’Addario 11-52 Custom Lights Phosphor Bronze.) In my two years playing it, it has only improved. I credit the insane Sitka spruce grain shown in the closeup photos.

The 000-28 E Modern Deluxe also includes:
A bridgeplate made from composite carbon fiber and Adirondack spruce, which increases projection and volume. The interior bracing is also Adirondack spruce.

A titanium truss rod which significantly lightens the neck and overall guitar weight.

Liquidmetal® red-dot bridge pins to improve acoustic string sound transfer.

European-flamed maple binding, and mother-of-pearl (abalone) “fleur de lis” fret dots and script headstock logo.

Waverly gold open-gear tuners, gold fret wire, and gold strap buttons.

The original hardshell Martin factory case and its key.

Martin‘s factory-installed Aura VT amplification system is smooth and well-balanced. The short 24.9" scale length, 1 3/4” nut width and the 000 body made it very comfortable to play. I generally played this as both a finger- and flat-picking guitar. With the performance-ready electronics, it was easy to bring anywhere with a cable tucked in the case. I’ve included the original Fishman Aura user guide, along with the Martin guitar Care and Feeding Guide.

This Martin would be listed in “excellent“ condition, but for a humidity crack which appeared last winter, just below E6. I immediately paid a professional luthier to glue and cleat it — I’ve shown where it was in one of the photos. From most angles it cannot be seen at all, and has had zero effect on the tone, even before the professional repair. It has been stored in ~ 50% humidity conditions in a nonsmoking pet-free house. Professional setup in March 2026 for mixed finger- and flat-picking style play.