My take on the Martin Outlaw model

[OneMansGuitar]

Review: Martin Custom Shop's "Outlaw" model breaks the laws for a good cause


"Woody to be sure, it has an old dry box resonance that is accentuated by a torrefied spruce soundboard. The undertone remains open and uncluttered, yet with a glowing presence reflecting the hum of each string… At times, that tonewood combination had those singing trebles soaring through the room – and straight to my heart, as uplifting as sunlight streaming through the flawless glass of a spotless, squeaky-clean window."




Read the full review HERE

[brencat]

I read your full review. Excellent, excellent write up! Probably my favorite one to date. Looks like a cool guitar -- keep up the great work, Spoon.

[Silly Moustache]

"Outlaw"?
Looking forward to "Housebreaker", Kidnapper", "Car-thief" and "Murderer" models.

BTW - Weber brought out some Reso guitars named "Renegade" and such.

Why call a guitar after criminals?

[Steve DeRosa]

MSRP $7K - kinda pricey for something with the Style 17 designation/construction, don'cha think...?

[simpl man]

The 17 in this case designates the year 2017.

The guitar is actually more of a hot-rod D-18, with Herringbone trim, Hide glue, & VTS.

[OneMansGuitar]

As explained in the review it is basically a D-18 Authentic with white binding, herringbone trim, and the modern High Performance neck.

The manager of the Custom Shop called it the Outlaw because they are not allowed to offer torrefied Authentic Series torrefied bracing on a guitar outside of the Authentic Series. And basically this model breaks a few various rules, both real ones inside Martin and traditional ones.

The CS series typically offers non-traditional models which mix traditional Martin features with contemporary trends or modern features, in this case the modern neck.

[baimo]

I have one on order from Jon at MFG. I was told it to expect around June. As mentioned above the 17 is a designation of 2017 and was named Outlaw because it uses most of the same features of Martin Authentics with a modern neck. This goes against all of Martins rules on keeping certain features exclusive to Authentics, hence the Outlaw name. I have tried many of the necks on Authentics and although I can play the OM-28 31' authentic the necks are not great for me and my wrist ailment. The outlaw has a MLO neck shape which is my favorite. I can not wait for it to arrive. I have never owned a Martin Limited guitar before.

[Silly Moustache]

I know that Collings and maybe Bourgeois have made !8 models with 28 trim. Don't see the point, myself.

Now Martin are messing with their own numbering system and designs.
"17" to indicate year ? C'mon!

I'd prefer to live in a world where a D18 looks like a D-18, a D-28 looks like a D-28 etc.

Who IS making the marketing decisions in that company now?

Seems to me that someone who knows nothing about guitars, Martin's heritage and numbering system is just playing around with possibilities.

[HHP]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I know that Collings and maybe Bourgeois have made !8 models with 28 trim. Don't see the point, myself.

Now Martin are messing with their own numbering system and designs.
"17" to indicate year ? C'mon!

I'd prefer to live in a world where a D18 looks like a D-18, a D-28 looks like a D-28 etc.

Who IS making the marketing decisions in that company now?

Seems to me that someone who knows nothing about guitars, Martin's heritage and numbering system is just playing around with possibilities.

Probably some goofball who knows how to make $7000 guitars that sell out immediately. A severe reprimand is in order.

[rmyAddison]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I know that Collings and maybe Bourgeois have made !8 models with 28 trim. Don't see the point, myself.

Now Martin are messing with their own numbering system and designs.
"17" to indicate year ? C'mon!

I'd prefer to live in a world where a D18 looks like a D-18, a D-28 looks like a D-28 etc.

Who IS making the marketing decisions in that company now?

Seems to me that someone who knows nothing about guitars, Martin's heritage and numbering system is just playing around with possibilities.

Your constant bashing on Martin posts is tedious. I've owned Collings, live in Texas (home of Collings), and guarantee I've played way more different Collings than you have.

Fine guitars, I have no need to put them down because I prefer Martins.

C'mon indeed............

[StillStephen]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I know that Collings and maybe Bourgeois have made !8 models with 28 trim. Don't see the point, myself.

Now Martin are messing with their own numbering system and designs.
"17" to indicate year ? C'mon!

I'd prefer to live in a world where a D18 looks like a D-18, a D-28 looks like a D-28 etc.

Who IS making the marketing decisions in that company now?

Seems to me that someone who knows nothing about guitars, Martin's heritage and numbering system is just playing around with possibilities.

Most of the Custom Shop guitars for the last few years have used the year designation in the name.

I have yet to find any written indication that this guitar has Authentic Series bracing. It has VTS bracing, which has been restricted to Authentics, but that is different that Authentic Series bracing profile. Every other CS annual edition has used GE Series bracing, which I suspect is the case here.

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

...Now Martin are messing with their own numbering system and designs. "17" to indicate year?

You're quite behind the times!

They've been doing this with Custom Shop Limited Editions every year since 2011, the first example being the CS-D21-11.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

MSRP $7K - kinda pricey for something with the Style 17 designation/construction, don'cha think...?

Yep, at last for me.

[rsfanforever]

I would love to play one, looks like one awesome guitar!

[brencat]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

MSRP $7K - kinda pricey for something with the Style 17 designation/construction, don'cha think...?

Street price, if bought 'properly' puts it on parity with a D-18A 1939 bought 'properly'...