into when needed for solos or strumming or provide subtle nuances and flavors that other guitars can’ t in larger body shapes. Priced at $ 3,999.99 the Martin 00-18 Joe Bonamassa is aimed at a particular player, musician or collector who has been looking for something different with American craftsmanship.
The second artist model is the 00-10E Retro Joe Bonamassa based off of Martin’ s Road Series retro instrument line. Although it is created in the Martin Navajoa, Mexico factory, the 00-10E Retro Joe is still modeled off from Joe’ s 1937 00-18, and it also features the exclusive“ 1937 Joe Bonamassa Sunburst” finish. I personally would love to see that name written on the paint cans at the Martin factories. The key differences with the 00-10E Retro Joe are that they feature a satin finish, sapele wood back and sides, TUSQ saddle, PA( performing artist) neck profile and built-in Martin E1 electronics. Where the new 00-10E and the 00-18 are the same; 00-14 body shape, 24.9” scale length, 20 frets, spruce top, 1 ¾” nut width, ebony fingerboard and bridge and nickel open gear tuners.
and the 00-10E Retro Joe includes a Martin softshell gig bag.
This is a big summer release for Martin Guitars and Joe Bonamassa is fully vested when he plays these guitars out and in studio, when he can play any guitars he wants. The craftsmanship and details on the 00-18 Joe are top-notch, for my money the 00-10E Retro Joe is the best players value for an instrument you could play at church, home, weekend gig or a jam session. This is a smart collaboration with a historical guitar company and a groundbreaking music artist that knows his music gear and guitars! If you play the Retro Joe and plug it into an amplifier you will probably buy one. I was forced against my will to return these to the Martin Showroom in Nashville, TN after this fun hands-on review! www. martinguitar. com
Since the R & D team retooled and updated the Martin Road Series we have been wowed by the sound, playability and craftsmanship of these guitars, especially the neck wood and shape and details like the bridge. Martin E1 electronics on the Retro Joe are spot-on with in sound hole volume, tone, phase switch and tuner at the bottom of the sound hole. Played acoustically the Martin 00-10E Retro Joe Bonamassa didn’ t have the complexity of harmonics of the 00-18 Joe, but the satin finish does open up the Retro to sound fuller with a bit more bass. It is still middle frequency forward, but not to the degree that Joe’ s 00-18 model is. When I plugged the Retro Joe into an amplifier it really delivered the roots, folk and bluesy sound so many of us are looking for. And priced at $ 1,299.99 the Martin 00-10E Retro Joe Bonamassa Acoustic / Electric guitar hits a sweet spot for musicians staying under $ 1,500 for a guitar that does it all. The Martin 00-18 Joe Bonamassa does include a hardshell case,
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