Martin SC-18E

The mahogany version of Martin’s modern masterpiece delivers easy playability and rich sound.

September 11, 2024

Having built instruments continuously since its founding in 1833, Martin Guitar’s designs have influenced every other maker of steel-string flattop guitars. Having a catalog of designs and models that go back a century or more is an enviable asset, but it also means that anything the company does that breaks with tradition may be met with skepticism. But Martin has always been forward looking, and the company has a remarkable track record of experimentation that is much more extensive than its traditional reputation might have you believe. The latest in Martin’s innovative efforts is its SC series, which was first introduced in 2020 and is now being applied to several models. We recently had a chance to feature the SC-28E, and in this video, I demonstrate the SC-18E.

Like the SC-28E, the SC-18E fuses the asymmetrical S-13 body, adjustable Sure Align neck, and other features with a traditional Martin style. Even without looking at the model number, anyone familiar with Martin’s styles would be able to immediately identify the SC-18E as a style-18. It’s built with mahogany back and sides and a spruce top and features the black-and-white purfling, multi-ring rosette, fingerboard dots, etc. that have long been associated with that designation. The SC-18E is available with L.R. Baggs Anthem or Fishman Aura VT Blend electronics, and our demo guitar came with the L.R. Baggs, which is one of the company’s most acclaimed systems.

Like all the Martin SC’s, the guitar has a Sure Align neck. Not only does this design allow for easy action and intonation adjustments, it also allows the guitar to be built without a traditional heel, which facilitates unrestricted access to the upper frets. Secured by two bolts, the Sure Align is based around a dovetail joint–shaped piece of hardware inside the body’s neck pocket, which allows the neck to slide onto the body, where the angle can be easily modified with a set of special shims. The design also includes a micro adjustment that moves the neck farther from or closer to the bridge, making it possible to fine-tune the guitar’s intonation. Martin even offers the SC Service Kit, which includes all the tools and shims necessary for players who wish to make their own adjustments.

The SC-18E has the same, almost electric guitar–like, playing feel as other SC models that I’ve played. Its slim-profile neck and low-action setup make the guitar more effortless to play than most acoustics, which, of course, makes it easier to play tricky material. As I noted in my demo of the SC-28E, the fact that the guitar has such a modern feel while also producing a true Martin tonality is quite remarkable. Compared with the rosewood SC-28E, I found that the SC-18E differed in the ways that I would expect with a mahogany instrument. It has a lovely “airy” character, is bright but very musical, and to my ears, is a slightly more dynamic sounding instrument overall. The guitar is a very satisfying fingerstyle partner, but it also handles strumming and single-note duties very well. Plugged into a Fishman Loudbox Mini, the guitar continued its capable performance in the amplified realm.

It’s great to see that the SC concept has found its way into Martin’s Standard series. The SC-18E delivers bona-fide Martin tone in a modern package, and it offers playability that will be a surprise to many players who may have preconceived notions of how more traditional Martins feel. And even as someone who is a big fan of standard Martin instruments, I was mightily impressed with the guitar!