Martin Guitar NAMM 2025 Deep Dive - Massive Updates/Wild New Models/More Affordable Options

‪@martinguitar‬ #namm2025
I asked Fred Greene, V. P. of Product Management the tough questions about the new Martin Guitar releases and he gave me all the answers!
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[@perfectpersonatrandom2826]

Another great video as usual 😊 Always enjoy your videos

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you!

[@ricjoorg]

Great questions, Aaron. Particularly on the golden era bracing. Very informative!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you. There are already a lot of videos so I tried to ask some different questions that the hardcore fans would care about.

[@ricjoorg]

Yeah, no doubt! These are the questions us Martin-nerds would love to have asked. But not everyone has access to Fred Green 😉 Thanks once again!

[@aaronshortmusic]

@ He is a great guy and is open to discussing anything which I really appreciate.

[@im58woody]

This guy really knows the products well.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@ That is Fred Greene, V. P. of Product Management.

[@bailey123198]

Good questions and Fred, explanations were very good. Thanks to you both...👌

[@frostyarcade]

Great job mate getting the deets!

[@patsysmith8030]

Great questions led to interesting answers, very entertaining stream.

[@Fred-ee8bg]

Great interview Aaron.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you!

[@jeaniepeffer1818]

good one aaron. U were able to get some great explanations from Fred green. 😎😎😎

[@jeaniepeffer1818]

meant Fred Green , correction made

[@aaronshortmusic]

Fred Greene!

[@Lutze_en_voyage]

Thanks Aaron for doing this interview.🙏 Nice to hear a little bit more about the details of the refreshed standard series. Even if Mr. Green is absolutely right that Martin is offering a big variety of guitar models and shapes, what I truly miss is an OM with mahagony, so either an OM-18 or an OM-17. 1.75" nutwidth, scalloped bracing and full 25,4 scale length. If I understand it correctly than there's no such guitar in their current line up. I think a lot of people would really like either one or the other...an OM with 25,4" scale length is very different than a 000. Perhaps they expand their lineup with a mahagony OM. 😁

[@michaelallen1966]

Nice to see the scalloped bracing becoming 'standard'. I can almost forgive them the double neck guitar for that 😁

[@aaronshortmusic]

The double neck is cool!

[@MatthewBarelick-ws4qd]

Well when your company has been around for 188 years it's hard to create new guitars basically the only thing that change are the braces and wood but that 3 millionth guitar is just STUNNING!

[@MatthewBarelick-ws4qd]

Congratulations Fred and here's too 3 million more guitars! 🍻🍻🍻

[@RahulSharma_JaiMataDi]

Thanks for sharing details… are the bridge plate tucked in to X brace like golden era ??

[@aaronshortmusic]

I’m not sure.

[@schushoes]

I think the most exciting one for me are the new 000-17s & D-17s… any mention from Martin about the bindings? Martin bindings have a bad rep for popping out. Would be great if they made some improvements!

[@aaronshortmusic]

I didn’t ask because it’s never happened to me and I have been through hundreds. I wonder if some of it is caused by lack of humidity. It’s important to keep them humidified.

[@im58woody]

The Retro Plus models look interesting to me.

[@aaronshortmusic]

I agree. Would be great to compare them to a standard series D-18 or 000-18.

[@brandond3243]

Great interview. It seems as if Fred tried to dodge the question on whether the braces are CNC vs hand scalloped. Based on his answer, I believe the scallop is done on CNC and the taper is done by hand. Does that sound right? I should add that as long as it sounds good, I can care less whether the braces are done by CNC

[@aaronshortmusic]

That’s exactly what he said! Started by CNC and finished by hand.

[@JTB--]

Noticed a lot of acoustics including a Washburn I just got for noodling on don't have the top Strap Lock Button by the neck

[@aaronshortmusic]

Different companies locate them differently.

[@JTB--]

@@aaronshortmusic I meant the top strap lock button was missing all together. I noticed them missing on some of the guitars in your excellent videos/streams also. I'm going to install one myself tomorrow on the Washburn Bella Tono Suprema I recently got. Cool smaller Studio type acoustic

[@aaronshortmusic]

@ Ah yes I wish they would install them at the factory but then again some people like to position them in other places so…

[@JTB--]

@@aaronshortmusic That... and I think some acoustic players prefer going with that strap around the headstock setup. So maybe the companies don't bother installing the top Strap lock Button to give each player the choice. 🤔

[@aaronshortmusic]

@ Exactly but I do like where Martin install the strap and I would rather they did it at the factory. I also like it on the back but it has the chance of cracking there if there is pressure applied to the case while shipping.

[@teleguy5699]

I wish he asked him if the 15 series is going to Mexico like the rumors are saying. On a side note, can we give Martin some love for including left handed models for most of their line. As I was starting out, somebody who hated Martins said to get a Yamaha. That's fine, if you are right handed. They had only offered 3 left handed models when I was looking. An inexpensive model that I didn't want, a Jumbo I certainly didn't want, and some other I can't remember. My 00015-SM left handed is my favorite guitar right now.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Good question. I wouldn’t be surprised but will try to remember to ask next time.

[@teleguy5699]

@@aaronshortmusic Thanks.

[@sunnyray7819]

Maybe there is a reason they haven't scalloped the braces in 80 year. I personally think it makes for a tougher guitar without shaving down the braces. And the non scalloped will be louder when you lay into it more. A scalloped is a little easier to play but it won't get as loud as one that is not. In my opinion anyways. I am not a Luthier.

[@aaronshortmusic]

I agree but they are being period correct. I am surprised that only the D-35 is non-scalloped but then again I prefer scalloped lol.

[@sunnyray7819]

@aaronshortmusic Maybe I haven't played enough to know but I feel like at a Bluegrass Jam, I might like the non scalloped if it's a little louder. I had a Blue ridge br60, I think it was and that guitar was the loudest acoustic that I have owned. It was a solid Sitka top and laminated rosewood body. Maybe the body being layered or whatever contributed to it having more projection as well, not for sure but it had regular non-scalloped bracing. But it would project the sound more than the couple of Martin's that I have played. It sounded good but in comparison, It doesn't have quite the depth. I think you still feel a Martin or an all solid guitar and there is more clarity. You can hit more harmonics it seems to me as well with a solid guitar. The mids and bass sound a little more muddy on a laminate. Anyways, Thanks for the response, take care!

[@Whitty43]

A quick skim over the retro plus series! Probably the most exciting Martin to be released in years. An all solid Martin with a torrified top and a pickup at nearly half the price of the D18 etc. I don't get it, most channels are doing the same thing. Skimming over this series at NAMM, do Martin not want to sell these models??! 🤔

[@aaronshortmusic]

No they are very excited for it and I deliberately wanted to include an affordable option at the end. You also know that I would want to ‘upgrade’ the pickup and would prefer a dovetail neck joint. I will definitely try to get one in for a video asap.

[@teleguy5699]

@@aaronshortmusic I'm glad to hear that they are coming out with a non electronic model as I have no need for that.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@teleguy5699 Yes and it will save some cash too.

[@teleguy5699]

@@aaronshortmusic 👍

[@WysteriaGuitar]

No M-36? - Sacrilege!!!!

[@aaronshortmusic]

But there are actually 3 models in the line up today!

[@WysteriaGuitar]

@@aaronshortmusic They dropped the M-36 for the 2025 lineup.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@ Yes but the 2 Marr guitars are M-36 and so is the CEO-11. The M-36 is still technically in the line-up.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

@@aaronshortmusic I see what you are saying.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@WysteriaGuitar I like the M-36 but that would be 4 models with that shape which may be too many right now. It’s still available form the custom shop as well.