I am the original owner & bought this guitar new on 04/21/2014 from Sweetwater. Setup was/is great. (Grand Auditorium or 0000 or M-38) Todays MSRP would likely be over 20 grand. (see last pic for price example - not mine)

• Comfort of an OM size but Power of a Dreadnought (see last paragraph)
• 1 OF ONLY 3
• If there is a holy grain guitar size - this is it!! (Swiss Knife of Guitars)
• I would call this Master grade, highly figured KOA/Adirondack top - only 10% of Koa is highly figured
• Amber Tone 1933

• Scalloped 5/16" / Golden Era TOP BRACES
• TONE BAR; SIDE BRACE; TOP PLATE and SOUNDHOLE BRACE: All Adirondack Spruce
• TOP BINDING: Madagascar Rosewood
• LR Baggs Anthem SL
• highly figured Koa - only about 10% of harvested Koa is highly figured
• Koa is only found in Hawaii
• 25.4-inch long scale length
• 1-3/4 inch nut width
• Fort fur lined guitar case - Provides minimum weight and maximum protection!
• Fort case is lined with custom authentic fur lining (mink or beaver) for a luxurious, tactile experience

The LR Baggs Anthem SL is a superior two source pickup, studio grade - high-fidelity sound on stage.

A dual-source design that combines a specialized "Tru-Mic" condenser microphone (for mid/high frequencies) and an under-saddle Element piezo pickup (for low-end punch).

Grand Auditorium style with a 16-inch wide lower bout and a 20-1/8 inch body length, providing a thinner body depth similar to a 000 model (approx 4").

Known for being balanced, comfortable, and strong voice.

Seasoned 12 full years, never gig'd. Non-smoking and humidified home. After 12 years the neck is as playable as the day I got it (from Sweetwater/professionally set up).

COMPARE Price for recent Koa custom shop: https://reverb.com/item/92907129

Today MSRP would likely be over 20 grand. See last pic depicting another koa custom

A custom shop guitar 1 of only 3 - comes in a MOST protective & super light weight 'Fort' case

This truly was and is a spectacular guitar. I love it and I'm sure you will too :)

The aesthetics are off the charts. Not only does it play exceptionally well and crafted brilliantly, but you will love the comfort of the thinner body.

not mine but shows capability youtube.com/watch?v=qCdDpjZPREU

• youtube.com/watch?v=QLNHLqc_WJc

Koa back and sides, shaded Amber Tone 1933 Adirondack Top & Adirondack Scalloped Bracing, Waverly Gold 4060 w/ Butterbean Knobs, setup with Martin SP+ strings and bone bridge pins.

samples of my guitars: Contact me - read my feedback !!

• Includes newly purchased/installed LR Baggs Anthem SL ($300)

The craftmanship & tonewoods of Guitar are unique and outstanding. Indeed the aesthetic & tactile experience will overwhelm your senses. WARNING --- You may be inclined to purchase a Bentley just to transport your new prize possession.

A well seasoned Martin M-38 two piece flamed koa back

• I've not seen or owned anything comparable, ever.

Koa back and sides, Adirondack Top & Adirondack Scalloped Bracing

• This was my (now your) DREAM Guitar.
• The Legendary Martin DO-IT-ALL- Swiss knife guitar!
• Bone - nut and saddle and bridge pins - Nut - 1.75" 14 Fret
• bone bridge pins
• Gold Waverly Tuners
• new LR Baggs Anthem SL - installed

EXTRAS --

• Beautiful sun burst top
• Bone bridge pins (original Ebony bridge pins in Fort case)
• Gold Waverly tuners
• LR Baggs Anthem SL INSTALLED
• see Martin spec sheet below
• Fort case

The Fort guitar case combines the lightweight and convenience of a gig bag with the impact protection of a hard shell case. Made from Neopolen P expanded polypropylene (EPP). This same material is widely used in automotive applications that require impact energy management. 

INSURANCE WILL COST CLOSE TO $120 - SO effectively shipping is FREE

• No buyer's remorse please - as-is sale; ask questions, chat, do research, local pickup encouraged!

If you desire a more comfortable thinner body guitar but don't want to give up the rich full sound of a larger bodied guitar - then THIS IS IT

I've been neurotic about finding the holy grail of guitars (all brands and body types) This Martin M38 has the mojo and is all but impossible to put down and makes me a better player - what else can you ask of a guitar.

Played only at a humidity controlled, non-smoking home and handled like a museum art piece!

Sound and playability is AWESOME ---> youtube SEARCH FOR: "1992 Martin M-38" or

--> "Martin M38 Rosewood Spruce 1988 played by Milo Groenhuijzen" or

strumming --> "Martin M38 Special Koa 2009 played by Leif de Leeuw"

CONSTRUCTION: Standard; Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint

Koa is only available from Hawaii and it's now illegal to cut down live Koa trees. Waverly (arguably) were of much higher quality 12 years ago, as was the available Adirondack spruce. This is a very good deal because I don't think the custom shop could build a similar quality instrument today.

HISTORY OF MARTIN M38

The origin of this model traces back to the 1970s when David Bromberg had a 1930s F-7 archtop guitar converted to a flat top at Matt Umanov’s workshop in New York.

In 1977, Martin, with input from Bromberg and under Mike Longworth’s leadership, commercialized this style as the M series. The M-38 was released in 1977, followed by the more affordable M-36 in 1978.

Production ended in 1996 but later resumed with the model renamed as 0000. 

This item is sold AS-IS, FOB origin and insured because of the hazards of shipping. I DO encourage local pickup.

Great guitar - great deal. Please No buyer's remorse - As-Is sale. CHECK MY GREAT FEEDBACK !

Disclaimer: guitar set-up is strictly a personal preference and NOT a basis for a return; and I suggest a pro setup upon arrival. Having said that - To me a very good setup and easy to play.

I use a US dime to measure string height (not everyone has a millimeter ruler) - The US Dime has a thickness of 1.35 mm. A good string height (action) at the 12th fret is generally around 2.5-3mm.

THIS GUITAR: Less than 1 dime at third Fret and Less than 2 dimes at 12th Fret (Less than 2.7mm 12th Fret)

BODY SIZE: M (0000) 14 Fret

• Lower bout width: 16 inches
• Upper bout width: 11 3/4 inches
• Body depth: 4 1/4 inches

TOP:  Adirondack Spruce (Premium)

TOP BRACES:  Adirondack / Scalloped 5/16" / Golden Era

PATTERN: J #2B

TONE BAR:  Adirondack Spruce

CROSS BRACE:  Adirondack Spruce

BRIDGE PLATE: Maple

SIDE BRACE:  Adirondack Spruce

TOP PLATE:  Adirondack Spruce

#1 BRACE:  Adirondack Spruce

SOUNDHOLE BRACE:  Adirondack Spruce

TOP BINDING:  Madagascar Rosewood

TOP INLAY:  .042'' B / M / B Fiber

ROSETTE: Style 45; First Cut @ 4.188''

PEARL INLAY: .064'' Select Abalone- 5 Piece

ADDITIONAL ROSETTE INLAY:  Wood Fiber Inlays

BACK: Solid Highly Flamed Koa

BACK PANELS: 2 Pc.

PURFLING:  Style 45 Golden Era with B/M/B Inlay on Each Side

BACK BINDING:  Madagascar Rosewood

BACK INLAY:  .042" B/M/B Fiber Mitered with Back Purfling

SIDES: Solid Highly Flamed Koa

SIDE INLAY:  .042" B/M/B Fiber

SIDE PEARL: None

ADDITIONAL SIDE INLAY:  None

RIBBONS: Spanish Cedar

ENDPIECE:  Madagascar Rosewood / Boxed & Mitered

ENDPIECE INLAY:  042" B/M/B Boxed/Mitered

ADDITIONAL ENDPIECE INLAY: None

BLOCK: Solid Genuine Mahogany

REAR: M (0000) Mahogany

FRONT: M (0000) 14 Fret; Adjustable; Mahogany

Line 1: C. F. Martin Logo

Line 2: Custom Shop Logo

NECK: Genuine Mahogany- 12/4

NECK SHAPE:  Performing Artist neck profile

HEADSTOCK: Solid/6 String Diamond/Square Taper

TRUSS ROD: 2-Way Adjustable 356mm

HEELCAP:  Madagascar Rosewood w/ .042 B/M/B

NUT: Bone

ON ANGLE/FLAT: Flat

HEADPLATE: Solid Highly Flamed Koa

HP. GRADE: n/a

HEADPLATE DECAL: None

HEADPLATE BIND:  None

HEADPLATE INLAY:  None

HEADPLATE PEARL:  Martin Logo - New CEO6 font, MOP

FINGERBOARD: Black Ebony

RADIUS: 16''

ACTUAL SCALE LENGTH: 25.340'' (25.4'')

COMPENSATED SCALE LENGTH: 25.470''

WIDTH AT NUT: 1 3/4''

WIDTH AT 12 FRET: 2 1/8''

LENGTH: 17.985

FRET WIRE: G300

FRET SLOT: .023

FRETS CLEAR: 14

TOTAL FRETS: 20

PEARL INLAY: Diamond & Squares- Long Pattern

SIDE DOTS: Grained Ivoroid

SIDE DOT POSITION: One at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, Two at 12th, One at 15th & 17th Frets

FINISH TYPE: Full Gloss

FINISH BODY: Non-Catalyzed Gloss/Dark Filler

FINISH TOP: Non-catalized gloss - Amber Tone 1933

FINISH NECK: Non-Catalyzed Gloss/No Stain/Dark Filler

BRIDGE: Black Ebony

BRIDGE PINS: Original Ebony included / bone installed

STYLE: Standard Belly

STRING SPACING: 2 3/16''

SADDLE: 16'' Radius/Compensated/Bone

TUNING MACHINES: Waverly Gold 4060 w/ Butterbean Knobs (Drill 11/32)

Original STRINGS: Life Span MSP 7100 Light Strings

PICKGUARD: Black, Pattern 22B (J/M with 45 Rosette)

THE FOLLOWING LEGALESE IS DUE TO RECENT EXPOSURE I'VE HAD WITH BUYER/SCAMMERS. I DO APOLOGISE TO THE MANY LEGIT/HONEST REVERB BUYERS.

*** Keep in mind while I may not see every miniscule imperfection I will attempt to describe this guitar honestly and accurately. Check my reviews. Please ask questions before purchasing.

The item is sold AS-IS (As-Described) and shipped FOB origin and insured because of the hazards of shipping.

I DO encourage local pickup.

Personal preference (personal taste) returns will incur a 20% fee - deducted from the refund and all shipping costs incurred by the seller will also be deducted from the refund.

If I approve a return/refund - The item must be shipped/date stamped within 7 calendar days of receiving the guitar.

All shipping costs incurred by the seller will also be deducted from the personal preference refund. To qualify for any refund guitar must be returned in the condition it was sent.

Thanks for looking!

COMFORT

A 000 (Auditorium) guitar is a mid-sized, balanced instrument favored for fingerstyle, which may have a thinner or fat body thickness. A 0000 (or M) is a "shallow-body jumbo" with a wider body and tighter waist, offering more volume and bass. The 0000 blends jumbo-like power with the comfort of a thinner 000 depth side, often favored for versatile, big-sounding studio guitar.

With a narrower waist, more contoured body, and slightly smaller overall dimensions, the grand auditorium was designed to be equally effective for strumming and fingerpicking.

The 000 (Auditorium) or Grand Auditorium (GA) are both versatile mid-sized guitars, with the 000 being smaller and comfortable for fingerstyle, while the GA is larger, offering comfort and also more volume, bass, and versatility for both strumming and fingerpicking.

It is not the width that causes under-arm pressure so much as the depth of the body. Both the OM (auditorium) and the 0000 (grand auditorium) are the

same 4 1/8" in depth, which is why both the OM and 0000 are both substantially more comfortable than a Dread.

The waist of the OM & 0000 is what comfortably positions the guitar on your thigh as you play seated. For me the dread is uncomfortable in this regard. First, the Dread waist puts the widest part of the lower bout directly under where my right arm contacts the guitar, adding uncomfortable arm pinch or pressure to my arm. Second, it puts the nut (first through third frets) farther from my shoulder than the 0000. The 0000/M gives me all the sound I want with considerably more comfort and ease of playing (similar to the smaller OM).

Essentially, choose a 000 for comfort and focused, balanced tone, and choose a 0000 (M) for comfort, a more commanding, resonant, jumbo-like sound.