This is the true Authentic, no truss rod, torrified wood, etc. Not the less expensive Expert model. The guitar was hand-picked for its tone, out of 14 other authentics. It is big and boisterous, and has that great Martin tone, a perfect example of the Guatemalan rosewood that everybody seems to be chasing around... and by far the best-looking Guatemalan rosewood I have seen — perfectly quarter sawn, and really nice color — none of that slab cut and lifeless color that most have. The top has the great red freeze lines, which means it is from the far north, maybe upstate New York, Vermont, Maine, etc. I have never played a guitar that had those freeze lines that wasn't a killer — one luthier told me it is because the wood is stiffer and tighter than southern wood. It even has a subtle bit of bearclaw. The condition is as new, better than the ones hanging up in the music stores. Maybe an hour or two play, that's it. I bought this and an Authentic D-18. I am partial to mahogany and have been traveling in a trailer, and no room for both... it was purchased about a year or so ago, check the serial number on the label. Also, it comes with an older Martin D-28 case, and I liked the fit better. For those of you who do not know the story of these Martin Authentics, they are without question the finest factory guitars being made today, bar none...