Let’s start with the basics. This is a 28-series Martin, which means rosewood. In this case, East Indian rosewood on the back and sides paired with a Sitka spruce top. That combination alone tells you a lot about what this guitar is going to do. There’s a ton of natural bass, but it’s controlled. Full and warm without ever getting boomy the way a dreadnought sometimes can. Everything stays balanced, clear, and musical.
The 000 body size is a big part of that and Martin’s 0 series guitars have always been special. It rests perfectly on your leg, feels incredibly natural to play, and might be one of the most comfortable acoustics I’ve ever spent time with. Whether you’re fingerpicking, strumming, or just sitting on the couch playing quietly, it never feels like you’re fighting the guitar.
There’s a reason players like Eric Clapton and John Mayer gravitate toward this style. You can still see them using 0-style Martins today, and it makes total sense. These guitars respond to touch. They reward dynamics. They let the player shape the sound instead of overwhelming it.
Another big part of the feel is the short scale length. At 24.9 inches, it has a slightly softer tension than a long-scale acoustic. Bends feel easier, chords feel friendlier, and the whole thing just invites you to keep playing. Add in the 1 3/4-inch nut width, an ebony fingerboard and bridge, scalloped bracing, and open-gear tuners, and you’ve got something that feels every bit as good as it sounds.
And then there’s the finish. The Ambertone is the icing on the cake. It gives the guitar a warm, vintage look that feels timeless without trying too hard. It adds to the personality of the instrument in a way that photos don’t fully capture. I am just a huge fan…
The more time I spend with this guitar, the more it reminds me why Martin’s reputation is what it is. They’ve managed to hold onto what makes their guitars special while still building instruments that feel inspiring and timeless. The 000-28 Ambertone is exactly that.