Martin SC-13E Modern: the new playability of the Sure Align neck

01The Sure Align neck: seamless into the highest registers

On a classic acoustic guitar, the joint between neck and body has a heel, a block that stops the hand from moving on. This is exactly where Martin steps in with the Sure Align system: the neck meets the body seamlessly and without a heel. The fretting hand glides without an edge into the highest frets, much like on an electric guitar with a deep cutaway.

Martin describes the construction as a linear dovetail. A practical side effect: neck pitch and intonation can be adjusted through the soundhole, without removing the neck. For an acoustic instrument in this class, that is remarkably easy to maintain.

Martin Guitars SC-13E Modern Westerngitarre Fichte massiv mit Tonabnehmer inklusive Gigbag

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02Asymmetric body and tonewoods

The body of the SC-13E Modern is deliberately asymmetric. In size it sits close to a 000 or OM format, but runs a little wider and longer. The deep cutaway gives the right hand room and underlines the modern line of the instrument.

For its sound, Martin relies on a solid Sitka spruce top, which gives the guitar an open, dynamic tone. Back and sides carry a high-grade koa fine veneer. The ebony fingerboard with ziricote dot inlays and a faux ivory border rounds out the picture. This material mix delivers a clear, balanced tone with plenty of projection, without giving up the characteristic Martin sound.

03LR Baggs Element: stage-ready from the factory

The SC-13E Modern is built for the stage from the start. The fitted LR Baggs Element system picks up the sound with an undersaddle piezo right at the saddle and is known for its natural, uncoloured acoustic tone.

For players who move between living room and stage, that means: plug in and play. The guitar ships with Martin Lifespan 2.0 strings, which hold their brilliance for longer. The included gigbag makes the guitar an easy companion on the way to a gig.

Martin Westerngitarre 000-12E Fichte massiv mit Tonabnehmer und Gigbag

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Martin Guitars Westerngitarre D-15E, vollmassiv Mahagoni, Sapele

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04Who the SC-13E Modern is for

The Martin SC-13E Modern is aimed at players who want the sound of a high-quality acoustic guitar without giving up the playability of an electric. If you come from the electric guitar and are used to free access to the high registers, you feel at home on the Sure Align neck right away.

Within the Martin range, the SC-13E Modern holds a niche of its own: it is neither a classic dreadnought nor a pure concert acoustic, but a modern stage instrument with high comfort. If you prefer the classic Martin build, the Westerngitarren holds stage-ready alternatives such as the Martin Westerngitarre 000-12E Fichte massiv mit Tonabnehmer und Gigbag or the Martin Guitars Westerngitarre D-15E, vollmassiv Mahagoni, Sapele.

The Martin SC-13E Modern is not a compromise between acoustic and electric, but a concept of its own. If you want a modern stage instrument with the sound of a solid spruce top and maximum playing comfort, it is worth a closer look.

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