2011 Martin Performing Artist Series GPCPA3 Guitar *Rosewood *Fishman Elec

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This listing is for a beautiful 2011 Martin GPCPA3 Acoustic Electric guitar from Martin’s Performing Artists Series. The GPCPA3 is a stage and studio-ready guitar combining the affordability of a gloss top with the same tonewoods and electronics power as the PA1 and PA2 models. The sale includes the guitar, the original Martin hardshell case made by TKL, and Martin paperwork, including the original owners registration card.

I am the second owner of the guitar. The guitar is in excellent condition. There is an almost invisible line in the wood on the upper bout. I had a guitar tech take a look at it, and he said the wood and the body are stable, and since the imperfection is so minor, he wouldn’t recommend any cosmetic work. There are some light pickguard scratches, and just a few other light scratches on the body. The action is great, it plays easily and has wonderful tone.

DON’T SETTLE FOR SAPELE WOOD (UGH!). This guitar has solid East Indian Rosewood sides and back. Rosewood is not only much more beautiful than Sapele, it also sounds better. Sapele is like the Ugly Step-Sister of Rosewood. You can do better . . . you can have Cinderella and this beautiful Rosewood GPCPA3 guitar.

Specs & Deets:

• Construction: Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint
• Body Size: Grand Performance 14 Fret Cutaway
• Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
• Rosette: Two Ring
• Top Bracing Pattern: Hybrid ''X'' Scalloped
• Top Braces: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16''
• Back Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
• Back Purfling: Black Fiber
• Side Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
• Binding: White Boltaron
• Top Inlay Style: Multiple Black/White Boltaron
• Neck Material: Select Hardwood (Mahogany)
• Neck Shape: Performing Artist Profile
• Nut Material: White Corian
• Headstock: Solid/Square Taper
• Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood
• Heelcap: White Boltaron
• Fingerboard Material: Black Richlite
• Scale Length: 25.4''
• Number of Frets: 20
• Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1-3/4''
• Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2-1/8''
• Fingerboard Position Inlays: Offset dots - M.O.P.
• Fingerboard Binding: White Boltaron
• Finish Back & Sides: Satin
• Finish Top: Polished Gloss
• Finish Neck: Satin
• Bridge Material: Black Richlite
• Bridge Style: Performing Artist Belly
• Bridge String Spacing: 2-3/16''
• Saddle: 16'' Radius/Compensated/White Tusq
• Tuning Machines: Chrome Enclosed w/ Large Buttons
• Bridge & End Pins: White w/ Black Dots
• Pickguard: Performing Artist Style - Delmar Tortoise Color
• Case: 375 Hardshell
• Electronics: Fishman F1 Aura w/Tuner

INFO FROM MARTIN

The stage-ready and elegant GPCPA3 is a gloss-top model built with solid East Indian rosewood back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top. Musicians will enjoy the fast and comfortable Performing Artist neck/fingerboard taper and bridge spacing (US MSRP $2,599).

The Fishman® F1 Aura® features the stunning realism of award-winning Aura Acoustic Imaging technology in a distinctive and easy to use onboard preamp system. State-of-the-art features include: digital chromatic tuner, volume and blend controls, independent three-band EQ for both pickup and image signals, compressor, phase control and an automatic anti-feedback filter with up to three notches. The heart of the F1 Aura is its ability to replicate the sound of nine different world-class studio microphones. Fishman engineers have carefully captured images of the sound that these high-quality microphones "hear" and allow you to blend it in with the legendary Gold Plus under saddle pickup. The preamp design utilizes low-noise components, 32-bit internal processing and 24-bit audio conversion for an incredibly clean and quiet output.

Martin doesn’t make this model any more, but you can check out the specs at the Martin website by copying and pasting this URL: 

THE BOTTOM LINE

Martin doesn’t make this model any more, but when they did, the list price was $2,599. Don’t settle for Sapele (ugh!) . . . that’s like the ugly step-sister. Upgrade to Cinderella and this beautiful Rosewood model.

Thanks for looking.