Martin has re-introduced the 1-series guitars; the 1990s models had a solid mahogany back with laminated sides, but the new model uses solid sapele back and sides, i.e., this is Martin's least expensive all solid wood model now.

The other noticeable change is a switch from the mahogany neck of the '90s to a Stratabond brand laminated birch neck. With its solid construction, this guitar has a really big sound at a bargain price. Too, these first examples of this model are being made in Nazareth, PA; when production gets ramped up, it will be moved to Mexico, so this is your chance to have one of what are destined to be the few produced in the USA!

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

	The solid Sitka spruce top has a matte finish and -28 style purfling. Inside is Martin's "Modified Hybrid X Scalloped" bracing.			The back and sides are solid sapele, while the Statabond brand neck has a rust-colored stain to match.
	The peghead has Martin's standard rosewood overlayment with the foil logo.			The tuners chrome-plated and enclosed.
	The inlay in the rosewood fingerboard is a simple dot pattern. In traditional OM-fashion, the fingerboard is 1-3/4 inches wide at the nut (the D-1 dreadnought uses Martin's standard of 1-11/16 inches at the nut). Similarly, the scale lenghth is that of a dreadnought: 25.4 inches.			The neck is made of Stratabond brand laminated birch, a material widely used for gun stocks!
	The solid back is made of sapele, which resembles mahogany, but has a distinct "stripey" look.			I think the Stratabond looks kinda cool on the heel cut!

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