Now here’s a fun one that’s in a category all its own: Martin Keith’s hybrid Auriole model, here in Macassar Ebony and Redwood. This one, dubbed “Old Soul,” comes to us from 2013 in primo condition with Martin’s smoothly engineered adjustable neck, zero fret, and carbon fiber reinforcements. Additionally, this Auriole has a K&K Pure Mini pickup installed, here with an 1/8” vintage jack (adapter included). In particular, this Redwood is from Martin’s personal stash of Redwood salvaged from a late 19th century West Coast railroad. The upper register is particularly crisp and present, and balances well with the bass and mids for both fingerstyle and flatpicking. The unique combination of a floating bridge in a flattop design adds clarity and sustain to the bass register, and the offset soundhole gives the player a touch more in their own ear.

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