Hand-Built, One at a Time in Nazareth, Pennsylvania
A Martin Custom Shop guitar is the highest level of craftsmanship Martin offers—built to your specifications by Martin’s most experienced luthiers in Nazareth, PA. These instruments go beyond standard production models, allowing players to dial in tone, feel, and aesthetics with precision.
GuitarHotline is an Authorized Martin Custom Shop Dealer, working directly with Martin to guide customers through the Custom Shop process from initial specifications to final delivery.
At GuitarHotline, we help players design, order, and acquire Martin Custom Shop guitars with expert guidance from start to finish. As an Authorized Martin Custom Shop Dealer, we work directly with Martin’s Custom Shop to ensure your guitar is built exactly as intended—and we personally inspect, photograph, and record it when it arrives.
If you’re considering a custom build, understanding the process is essential. Our step-by-step guide to ordering a Martin Custom Shop guitar walks through dealer requirements, spec selection, timelines, and what to expect at each stage.
What Is a Martin Custom Shop Guitar?
A Martin Custom Shop guitar is a made-to-order acoustic guitar that allows customization beyond Martin’s standard catalog. Players can select body size, tonewoods, bracing, neck shape, nut width, finish, and visual appointments to create a guitar tailored to their playing style and musical goals.
Unlike production models, Custom Shop guitars are built individually, not in batches, and are ideal for players who want a specific sound, feel, or vintage-inspired configuration.
Why Choose a Martin Custom Shop Guitar?
Players choose the Martin Custom Shop when they want:
- A specific tonal response not available in standard models
- Premium or vintage-style tonewoods
- Custom neck dimensions for improved comfort
- Traditional construction details like hide glue or advanced bracing
- A lifelong, heirloom-quality instrument
A Custom Shop Martin isn’t about flashy options—it’s about precision, tone, and personal fit.
How to Order a Martin Custom Shop Guitar
Ordering a Martin Custom Shop guitar is a guided process completed through an Authorized Martin Dealer.
- Choose the Body Size & Platform
- Select Tonewoods
- Choose Bracing & Construction Details
- Dial in Neck Shape & Playability
- Finalize Aesthetics
- Dealer Submission & Martin Approval
We handle the technical details, approvals, and communication—so the process stays smooth and stress-free.
How to order a Martin Custom Shop guitar
How Long Does a Martin Custom Shop Guitar Take?
Most Martin Custom Shop guitars take approximately 5 to 9 months to complete.
Build time depends on:
- Wood availability
- Construction complexity
- Current Custom Shop demand
We provide realistic timelines up front and keep you informed throughout the build process.
How Much Does a Martin Custom Shop Guitar Cost?
Pricing for Martin Custom Shop guitars varies based on specifications, but generally starts above standard production models.
Factors that affect price include:
- Choice of tonewoods
- Bracing and construction options
- Neck specifications
- Cosmetic appointments
Many players are surprised to find that a thoughtfully spec’d Custom Shop guitar can be closer in price to high-end production models than expected—especially when focused on tone and playability rather than cosmetics.
Martin Custom Shop pricing explained
Martin Custom Shop Tonewood Options
Tonewoods are the foundation of a Custom Shop guitar’s sound.
Popular Top Woods
- Adirondack Spruce – Powerful, dynamic, and ideal for strong players
- Sitka Spruce – Balanced, versatile, and responsive
- European Spruce – Warm, complex, and articulate
Popular Back & Side Woods
- East Indian Rosewood – Deep bass, rich overtones
- Mahogany – Clear, woody, and direct
- Koa – Focused with visual beauty
- Guatemalan Rosewood – Between mahogany and rosewood tonally
We help you choose woods based on how you play, not just how they look.
Bracing & Construction Options
Bracing plays a major role in how a Martin Custom Shop guitar responds.
Common options include:
- Forward-shifted bracing for increased bass and openness
- Scalloped vs non-scalloped bracing
- Adirondack bracing for headroom and power
- Traditional construction methods for vintage tone
These choices can dramatically affect volume, responsiveness, and dynamic range.
Neck Profiles, Nut Widths & Playability
Custom Shop guitars allow fine control over feel:
- Nut widths such as 1 11/16" or 1 3/4"
- Modified Low Oval, Authentic, or vintage-style neck shapes
- Long or short scale lengths
This is one of the biggest reasons players choose the Custom Shop—comfort matters.
Martin Custom Shop vs Standard Series
Standard Series guitars are exceptional instruments built to fixed specifications.
Custom Shop guitars allow:
- Personalized tone and feel
- Vintage-inspired or discontinued specs
- A guitar designed around your hands and ears
If you already know what you want—or know what you don’t want—the Custom Shop is often the better choice.
Buying a Martin Custom Shop That’s Already On Order
Don’t want to wait for a full build?
At GuitarHotline, we often have Martin Custom Shop guitars already on order. These instruments:
- Are fully spec’d and approved by Martin
- Can sometimes be claimed before arrival
- Reduce or eliminate wait time
We can also provide you with photographs of the guitar upon arrival before you commit.
Learn more about our Martin Custom Shop guitars already on order.
Why Order a Martin Custom Shop Guitar from GuitarHotline?
- Authorized Martin Dealer
- Expert guidance on specs, tone, and playability
- Direct communication with Martin Custom Shop
- Arrival photos provided
- Personal, one-on-one service
When you work with GuitarHotline, you’re not just placing an order—you’re working with someone who understands Martin guitars inside and out.
Ready to Start Your Martin Custom Shop Guitar?
If you’re considering a Martin Custom Shop guitar—or want to reserve one already on order—we’d love to talk with you.
Call or email Mark Rohrer @ Phone: (888)795-3582 or (317)849-5744 or Email: msrohrer@gmail.com
Let him know your ideas - discuss specs, timelines, and options. He’ll help you build a guitar you’ll want to play for the rest of your life.
GuitarHotline – Authorized Martin Custom Shop Dealer
Serving Musicians Since 1991