Martin GPCE Inception Maple

After 191 years, Martin is still coming up with new ideas and pushing the art of guitarmaking to new heights and new sounds. Fresh for 2024, the GPCE Inception Maple is a forward-thinking acoustic-electric guitar that blends modern design with sustainable materials. Its skeletonized scalloped bracing and sonic channels optimize resonance, sustain, and projection, and it is crafted with an FSC-certified European Spruce top and North American Maple back and sides. This Grand Performance body produces clear, balanced tone with added warmth from the Black Walnut wedge in the back. Finished in a satin amber sunburst and equipped with an LR Baggs Anthem pickup, the GPCE Inception combines visual appeal with high-performance and versatility—embodying Martin's commitment to innovation and eco-conscious craftsmanship. What is "skelotonized" bracing? Inside this guitar, you'll see a hexagonal pattern hollowed out in every brace—X-bracing, tone bars, back braces, etc. Cut with laser precision, this unique design minimizes weight while maximizing the strength-to-volume ratio. The goal is maximizes sustain and touch-sensitive dynamic response.  What are "sonic channels"? Look inside the GPCE Inception, and you'll notice the top and back have incredibly precise channels cut into them in specific designs, especially near the braces. This subtle removal of excess material helps increase the amplitude of the sound wave produced. Amplitude is essentially the energy of the sound wave, and increased sustain often cause a loss of amplitude. Working with the Skeletonized Bracing, the Sonic Channels deliver increased resonance and superior tone. On top of the cutting-edge design itself, the GPCE Inception Maple features some adventurous wood choices—European Spruce and North American Maple are pretty straightforward, but the three-piece back features a center wedge of American Black Walnut. The fingerboard, bridge, and neck itself are also constructed of solid Black Walnut. In North America, Black Walnut grows abundantly in heavy forests that are not disturbed by slash-and-burn agriculture that affects other tonewood sources.  Honest opinion on the GPCE Inception Maple: It's easy to get lost in all the cutting edge modern features. At the end of the day, this is a sweet guitar that produces clear, projective, and balanced tone. And the satin amber sunburst is absolutely stunning. Another great Martin! Body Size: Grand Performance 14-Fret Cutaway Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint Finish: Satin Amber Fade Sunburst (Top, Back, Sides & Neck) Top Material: FSC Certified European Spruce Back Material: 3-Piece Maple with Black Walnut Side Material: Maple Bracing Pattern: Skeletonized X-Brace Brace Material: FSC Certified European Spruce, 5/16” Scale Length: 25.4" Brace Shape: Scalloped Nut Material: Bone, 1-3/4'' Neck Material: Black Walnut Fingerboard Material: Black Walnut Fingerboard Inlays: Maple Arrow/Hex Design Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval w/ High-Performance Taper Electronics: LR Baggs Anthem Bridge Style: Sloped Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle Bridge Material: Black Walnut Saddle: Compensated White Tusq, 16” Radius Bridge String Spacing: 2-5/32" Bridge Pin Material: Bone Bridge Pin Dots: Black Plastic Top Inlay & Rosette: Multi-Stripe Pickguard: Tortoise Pattern Binding: Black Walnut Top Detail: FSC® Certified Wood Binding: Black Walnut Back Purfling/Strip: Style-18 Back Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe Headstock Shape: Solid with Square Taper Tuning Machines: Gold Open Gear w/ Butterbean Knobs Headplate Material: Black Walnut Headplate Logo Style: Script Old Style Overlay