November 8, 2025

Latest Acoustic Guitar Reviews and News

Acoustic Guitars / Artists

Martin Releases Jason Isbell Signature Models and New Strings

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All-New Martin 0-17, 0-10E Jason Isbell now available

All-New Era PB Strings Also Released

“The Martin 0-17 Jason Isbell is a limited-edition model crafted to replicate the pre-war 0-17 at the heart of his latest album. Limited to just 50 instruments, it’s built entirely from solid sinker mahogany paired with Adirondack spruce Golden Era scalloped X-bracing for a warm, expressive voice. The sinker mahogany neck, inspired by Jason’s pre-war 0-17, combines with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge for classic feel and playability. 17-style appointments and a vintage gloss finish complete its timeless look.

“This one replicates the 1940 0-17 that I used on Foxes in the Snow,” said Jason. “The Brazilian [rosewood] for the bridge and the fingerboard is a really special thing. The fact that Martin was able and willing to do that for these guitars makes me really, really happy… and the neck on this one is pretty identical in shape to the original guitar. It’s a very simple guitar to look at and to play, but certainly not simple to put together.”

The Martin 0-10E Retro Jason Isbell brings that spirit to the Road Series in a stage-ready form. Featuring a satin-finished all-mahogany 0 14-fret body, scalloped spruce X-bracing, and Martin E1 electronics with a built-in tuner, it delivers warm, focused tone and plug-and-play performance. With East Indian rosewood accents, 17-style inlays, and nickel open-gear tuners, the guitar balances vintage-inspired looks with modern versatility.

“This guitar meets the artist’s criteria that the instrument can’t be the challenge,” Jason said. “They’re well made, they’re easy to play, they sound good, and they don’t scream, ‘Look at me.’ At this price point, a whole lot of people are gonna have access to it—and that’s great because it encourages beginner guitar players and singer-songwriters to have something that is quality. I could take this guitar and just make a living with it.”

In addition to the new guitars, Martin is launching an all-new line of strings: Martin Era™ Strings. Designed to set the standard for acoustic tone and playability, they combine the best of Martin’s string-making innovations into one premium offering. Era strings feature a patented Lifespan® treatment to protect against corrosion, Flexible Core construction to enhance comfort and fretability, and silk-wrapped ball ends to help protect your prized instrument. Together, these features establish a new benchmark for what phosphor bronze acoustic guitar strings can deliver.

Within the Era line is Jason’s first-ever signature set: Martin Era™ Jason Isbell Signature Strings. Developed with a traditional SP® core to match his distinctive sound, this Artist Light set is custom-voiced for strength, balance, and consistency. Finished with distinctive red silk-wrapped ball ends, they reflect his exact touring and studio-tested preferences, giving players direct access to the same feel and performance that inspire his music.

“I’ve used Martin phosphor bronze strings for a long time—12-54 on almost all of my acoustics,” said Jason. “I know how they’re going to react, how many shows I can get out of them, and they don’t take long to break in. You stretch them right when you put them on, they won’t go out of tune. This is a really big honor for me.”

Durability and reliability were essential to the design. “I don’t have to worry about being fragile, being gentle with the strings,” he added. “They sound good for a long time, I don’t have to change every show, which my tech loves, and I love also.”

0-17 Jason Isbell Photo Gallery HERE

0-17 Jason Isbell Spec Sheet HERE

 

Acoustic Guitars / events

Martin Guitar Hosts First Sustainability Summit

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Martin Guitar Hosts First-Ever Sustainability Summit, Setting the Tone for a Greener Music Industry

Industry leaders and artists gathered at Martin’s solar-powered Commerce Lane facility to explore sustainability in music and manufacturing

NAZARETH, PA – October 10, 2025 – C. F. Martin & Co. hosted its first-ever Sustainability Summit on October 9, 2025, at the company’s solar-powered Commerce Lane facility in Tatamy, Pennsylvania—just a short drive from its historic Nazareth headquarters. The daylong event, themed “Setting the Tone: Sustainability in Music & Manufacturing,” brought together more than one hundred artists, industry leaders, educators, and sustainability advocates to explore real-world solutions at the intersection of music and environmental responsibility.

Driving Change Through Collaboration

The summit featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, artist-led demonstrations, and live performances, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices across the music and manufacturing industries. Representatives from REVERB, the Forest Stewardship Council®, Sustain Music & Nature, Columbia University’s Climate School, Hearne Hardwoods, Unified Wood Economy, and more shared case studies and actionable strategies for creating lasting environmental impact.

“Martin’s been such a clear leader in sustainability, and that’s what my nonprofit is all about,” said Adam Gardner, co-founder of REVERB and member of the band Guster. “Our approach has always been to meet people where they’re at—whether they’re a fan, manufacturer, artist, or venue—and help them move down the path toward sustainability. It’s a process, not a destination.”

Dylan Siegler, SVP and Head of Sustainability for Universal Music Group, added, “Being here has really opened my eyes to how musical instruments themselves are a mechanism for change. We all form the supply chain of the artist—record labels, manufacturers like Martin, and everyone in between—creating the possibilities that help artists be more sustainable in all of their practices.”

Artists Leading the Way

Throughout the day, attendees experienced firsthand how creativity and sustainability intersect. Gardner and Jacob Tilley of Young the Giant performed live, reinforcing the summit’s mission to inspire sustainable change through music.

Tilley reflected on the urgency of action after years of touring: “As a band, we felt it was our duty to look under the microscope at what we can do better to keep live music available for the next generation. The summit brought together like-minded people to forge relationships and create a path forward for a more sustainable future.”

Kate Micucci, musician, comedian, and actress, led a reclaimed-art and sustainable ukulele demonstration, transforming discarded materials into new creative expression. “I started painting on discarded guitar tops that would’ve been thrown away otherwise,” Micucci shared. “Today reminded me that sustainability is about what we can do daily—and also about making something bigger and more impactful together. The ukulele I played today [a Martin T1 Tenor Uke] was totally sustainable.”

The day also included a special video message from Wilco frontman and Martin signature artist Jeff Tweedy, whose new FSC®-certified signature guitars launched the same day. “Keep making sustainable guitars,” Tweedy said. “It’s great for everybody, and it’s great for business—because what’s better than sustainable? I’m proud to see more of these guitars being made and proud to be part of it.”

Key Insights and Next Steps

Sessions throughout the day explored topics such as responsible tonewood sourcing, carbon-neutral touring, circular economies, and the use of reclaimed and alternative materials. From wood composites made of biodegradable matter to reimagined supply chain partnerships, attendees left inspired by what collaboration can achieve.

“The big takeaway for me,” said Siegler, “is that any network trying to achieve real change needs a strong root system—just like the trees that inspire us. And that’s exactly what we’re building here today.”

Looking Ahead

The Martin Sustainability Summit marks the beginning of a broader, long-term initiative to connect and empower leaders across music, manufacturing, and environmental sectors. “I think today was a reminder that we all know what needs to be done—it’s just about putting it into practice,” Micucci said. “Martin has been doing this for years, and it’s pretty cool to see that commitment inspiring others.”

Martin Guitar extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, artists, and attendees who made the inaugural Sustainability Summit possible—and to the partners and organizations working every day to set the tone for a greener future. For more information on Martin’s sustainability efforts, visit martinguitar.com/sustainability.

Acoustic Guitars

Woodstock Day 4 – Jimi Hendrix – Monday, August 18, 1969

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Maybe 10% of those attending Woodstock saw Jimi Hendrix perform

Weather delays carried the festival over into Monday morning.

For his closing number, Hendrix started riffing on a blues progression, calling out “A” to the band, and then showing them the changes from there. They caught on soon enough.
Although he returned and did “Hey Joe” as an encore, it is perhaps cosmically fitting he ended his set with what was later dubbed “Villanova Junction Blues” when he tried to record it a year later, but he stopped part way through, so that the haunting tune was cut short and its potential left unrealized, just like how Hendrix’s own potential was cut short not long after that, and not unlike how the potential of Woodstock idealism (which remains in many among us,) if the current sociopolitical climate is any indication, never came close to the lofty goals of achieving a society where the corruption and bigotry at the heart of Trumpism would have never seen the light of day.

Peace

Events

Woodstock Day 4 – Sha Na Na – Monday, August 18, 1969

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Woefully behind schedule, the festival continued at dawn on Monday

Paul Butterfield Blues Band perform at dawn, followed by Sha Na Na, before Jimi Hendrix took the stage

 

Events

Woodstock Day 3 – CSNY – August 17, 1969

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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Acoustic or Electric, they were electrifying

Helplessly Hoping

Long Time Gone

Artists / Events

Woodstock Day 3 – Sly and the Family Stone – Take You Higher

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Sly and the Family Stone Take You Higher

and then some! Sunday August 17, 1969

Artists / Events

Woodstock Day 3 – Country Joe and the Fish, Rock n Soul Music

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Country Joe and the Fish

Rock n Soul Music

Lighting up the crowd on Soggy Sunday, August 17, 1969

Artists / Events

Woodstock Day 3, act i – The Jefferson Airplane – August 17, 1969

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Sunday started at dawn with what Grace Slick called the Jefferson Airplane’s “Morning maniac music.”

Here’s Saturday Afternoon on Sunday morning.

“Acid, incense and perfume…” at Woodstock, August 17, 1969.
Artists / Events

Woodstock Day 3 – August 17, 1969

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Sunday’s lineup was pretty okay.

I guess. If you like that sort of thing.

Joe Cocker and the Grease Band went on at 2:00 PM.
Country Joe and Fish went on at 6:30 PM (after the thunderstorm)
Ten Years After went on at 8:00 PM
The Band went on at 10:00 PM
Johnny Winter went on at midnight
Blood Sweat and Tears at 1:30 AM
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and 3:00 AM

Artists / Events

Woodstock Day 2 – Creedence Clearwater Revival

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Excellent Performance by John Forgerty’s Creedence ends the evening

I Got a Spell On You with some seriously great guitar solos!

Front man extraordinaire, John Fogerty refused to allow any of their performance to be used as part of Oscar-winning documentary or resulting soundtrack album. It may have been about money, but it certainly wasn’t about the performance, which is so good and fortunately became available many years later.

Here is a killer version of Herb Slotkin’s soulful I Put a Spell On You, which shows off Fogerty’s powerful lead guitar skills.

And here is their entire set, put together with archival footage.