NGD and (Probably) my Last - Martin 0012-28 Modern Deluxe

[Mark M.]

I just received this brand new Martin 0012-28 Modern Deluxe and I can’t put it down. The sound is huge for a small bodied flat top, almost as loud as my 0000 and is very warm, balanced, and has a nice, punchy attack to it. It has some modern features that make it sound old and played in: a roasted Sitka top, carbon fiber bridge plate under the bridge for a light but dense surface to distribute vibration across the top, and “Liquid Metal” bridge pins that are supposed to transfer more vibration from the strings to the bridge. Without separating hype from reality, I can say the combination works very well. Combined with the forward bracing of a 12 fret, this thing really sings and has sustain for days. And, I love the vintage look with a really nice but subtle addition of curly maple binding. The top is beautiful - lots of silking and character - and the rosewood is stunning with beautiful grain and some purple-ish color in the right light. The build quality is perfect, just like my 0000. I couldn’t be happier! It’s a beauty in every way.

This may be the final guitar addition to my collection and probably concludes the shift away from fine carved archtops to a variety of fine guitars that satisfy all my musical interests beyond jazz. I’ll always miss my L5CES, Trenier Model E, or Campellone from time to time, but parting with them has allowed me to have more variety to encompass jazz, blues, classical, flamenco, soul, country, bluegrass, etc. I may still add a mandola and an oud at some point.
L to R: Gibson ES175 ‘59 RI VOS, Waterslide S style CooderCaster (tuned to open E), Fender Road Worn Telecaster converted to a CooderCaster (tuned to open G), Fender Vintage II ‘51 RI Telecaster, Gibson ES330 ‘61 RI VOS, Eastman Mandolin, Fender Jazz bass MIM


L to R on the wall: Martin 000C-16RGTE Custom, Martin 0012-28 Modern Deluxe, Martin 0000-28/45 Gruhn Special. On the floor L to R: Graciliano Perez Flamenca Negra, Jose Gonzalez Lopez flamenca negra, Mijail Kharash flamenca blanca, Mijail Kharash classical (CD/RW)



L to R: National Resophonic Style 1 tricone (tuned to open D), 1935 National Duolian (tuned to open G).



I’m finding that by learning more styles of music my overall musicianship has improved greatly and my jazz playing has improved as well, vs the days when I focused solely on playing jazz.

[wintermoon]

nice!

"and probably my last"

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that on this forum alone.....

[marcwhy]

nice!

"and probably my last"

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that on this forum alone.....

Yep!

[QAman]

Mark,
Congrats on the new guitar it’s a beauty ! Immersing yourself in other types of guitars / styles enables you to expand your musical vocabulary.

You will find that different styles have a way of opening up the fingerboard in a very enlightening way.

I’ve actually been playing my Martins lately- they are well suited to finger-style.

Wishing you many years of enjoyment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DawgBone]

Beautiful Martin, congrats! Small body+slotted headstock=blues fingerpicking machine!!!

No more guitars, yes....your amp collection could use some filling in. Twin, Super, Deluxe....then the Tweed series....

[Gitterbug]

To OP: Congrats and what a great collection! These threads have a tendency to derail, and I make no exception. Namely, a detail on your ES-175 1959 VOS caught my attention: On the tailpiece, the zigzags seem to be further apart from the flat center strip than usual. Am I correct? I'm asking because my blonde VOS from 2014 has the same feature, which has made me suspicious. If variation is normal, I'll be relieved.

BTW, I've been very happy with my Martin CCCP, sorry, GPCPA4, which is of course almost "entry level" compared to your new beauty.

[Gustavo Eiriz]

My last in 2025.

[Mark M.]

Mark,
Congrats on the new guitar it’s a beauty ! Immersing yourself in other types of guitars / styles enables you to expand your musical vocabulary.

You will find that different styles have a way of opening up the fingerboard in a very enlightening way.

I’ve actually been playing my Martins lately- they are well suited to finger-style.

Wishing you many years of enjoyment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, Steve. I do love a good Martin! You are absolutely right. Each guitar brings about a new elements of my playing and leads to a cross pollination of styles. For example, I have really expanded my knowledge and use of harmonized 6ths on my Tele and my acoustics. Open G on my CooderCaster has led me to find a whole different harmonic vocabulary inspired by Ry Cooder that has a rich gospel flavor. Tunes like “Dark End of the Street” come to life in that tuning, and of course are also well suited for slide soloing. The reso guitars have brought me back to playing delta blues songs I learned decades ago. Flamenco is an entirely different thing all its own. I am enjoying playing now more than ever.

[Mark M.]

To OP: Congrats and what a great collection! These threads have a tendency to derail, and I make no exception. Namely, a detail on your ES-175 1959 VOS caught my attention: On the tailpiece, the zigzags seem to be further apart from the flat center strip than usual. Am I correct? I'm asking because my blonde VOS from 2014 has the same feature, which has made me suspicious. If variation is normal, I'll be relieved.

BTW, I've been very happy with my Martin CCCP, sorry, GPCPA4, which is of course almost "entry level" compared to your new beauty.

I never looked that closely at the tailpiece to compare it to others. I’ll have to check that out.

[Mark M.]

No more guitars, yes....your amp collection could use some filling in. Twin, Super, Deluxe....then the Tweed series....

…I was actually thinking that a nice Vibrolux would round out my amp collection nicely!

[2bornot2bop]

Congratulations Mark! I dig how you’re open to all things guitar. If it weren’t for desiring to study Bossa Nova it’s likely I’d never have had the desire to ever own a nylon string guitar. In fact after decades at the piano I’d likely never have been drawn to a study of jazz guitar. You do you my friend. And it’s a very striking Martin indeed. Enjoy!

[alltunes]

Sweet guitar and great collection in a nice looking music room complete with a picture of Robert Johnson.

[Mark M.]

Congratulations Mark! I dig how you’re open to all things guitar. If it weren’t for desiring to study Bossa Nova it’s likely I’d never have had the desire to ever own a nylon string guitar. In fact after decades at the piano I’d likely never have been drawn to a study of jazz guitar. You do you my friend. And it’s a very striking Martin indeed. Enjoy!

Thanks, 2B. My first nice nylon string was the Alhambra that you sold me!

[deacon Mark]

The guitar looks glorious, the finish work looks impeccable. Those little guitars sometimes have a richer sound the boominess is not present and you get a fingerpicker delight, I think. I would also suggest it will not be the last one and really why not get another sometime. Guitars are different than wives, you want one good wife and be done with it, but guitars don't apply to the situation.

[Jim Soloway]

I love hearing abut all the innovation and technology they've put into the guitar.

[Woody Sound]

…I was actually thinking that a nice Vibrolux would round out my amp collection nicely!

[floatingpickup]

[Bob_Ross]

I just received this brand new Martin 0012-28 Modern Deluxe

Admittedly it's been >40 years since I paid much attention to Martin's model name/numbers, but I was genuinely shocked to see you raving about a Martin called an "xx12-28" ...and then seeing a picture of a 6-string guitar! I grew up lusting after a D12-28 when I was a wee teen, so I was fully expecting to see a 12-string guitar!

I'm guessing the "12" in the model number refers to the 12-fret neck/body joint?

When did Martin start using this nomenclature?

Gorgeous axe, btw.

[Mark M.]

Admittedly it's been >40 years since I paid much attention to Martin's model name/numbers, but I was genuinely shocked to see you raving about a Martin called an "xx12-28" ...and then seeing a picture of a 6-string guitar! I grew up lusting after a D12-28 when I was a wee teen, so I was fully expecting to see a 12-string guitar!

I'm guessing the "12" in the model number refers to the 12-fret neck/body joint?

When did Martin start using this nomenclature?

Gorgeous axe, btw.

Thanks, Bob. This model is the first I have seen where they used that nomenclature for a 12 fret model. I am also used to seeing it for 12 string guitars. Martin has not always been consistent.

[Mark M.]

The guitar looks glorious, the finish work looks impeccable. Those little guitars sometimes have a richer sound the boominess is not present and you get a fingerpicker delight, I think. I would also suggest it will not be the last one and really why not get another sometime. Guitars are different than wives, you want one good wife and be done with it, but guitars don't apply to the situation.

That’s a good description of the sound. This guitar is very responsive to touch and even a light attack produces a very rich, forward tone. The note separation is really exceptional, and there is plenty of bass without boominess. It’s a very different sound than my 0000-28/45, which is a bigger body and produces more bass and more overtones in general. It is an amazing guitar in its own way, but is more powerful and really opens up when it is strummed or played with a pick. It’s an excellent fingerstyle guitar as well, but I think the 00 really excels when played fingerstyle.

[DawgBone]

…I was actually thinking that a nice Vibrolux would round out my amp collection nicely!

Yeah that would be a great one! I am sure several of the electrics hanging on your wall would sound outstanding through a Vibrolux!

[Stringswinger]

Congrats and may she inspire your playing for many years to come!

[vinnyv1k]

I never looked that closely at the tailpiece to compare it to others. I’ll have to check that out.

Those RI zigzag tp’s were hand bent like the originals so a lot of variances.

[Gitterbug]

Those RI zigzag tp’s were hand bent like the originals so a lot of variances.

Thanks, Vinny! You made my year. A Happy 2026 to all!

Markku

[MiniMerckx.22]

Congrats, looks fantastic.
Msy I ask, does the 0000 take a lot of energy i.e. a firm pluck to "get the top moving"? I don't pick very hard, playing electric with the amp turned up, volume on guitar lowered and mostly control the volume vua pick control. Works great on electric, can be much less rewarding on the wrong acoustic.