Martin Custom Shop

At Chicago Music Exchange, the Martin Custom Shop offers unparalleled craftsmanship and customization for your dream acoustic guitar. Our selection of Martin Custom Shop guitars for sale includes new and used models, each meticulously crafted by skilled luthiers in Nazareth, PA. Whether you're a musician, collector, or dealer, you'll find the perfect Martin Custom Shop guitar to match your vision. Explore our online collection and buy a unique, high-quality acoustic guitar today.

Martin Custom Shop

Martin Custom Shop guitars are the pinnacle of acoustic craftsmanship, offering players and collectors an unmatched combination of tradition, tone, and tailor-made design. At Chicago Music Exchange, we’re proud to be one of the top destinations in the world for Custom Shop Martin guitars, helping you find your dream instrument—whether it’s a historically accurate dreadnought or a custom-voiced auditorium built to your personal specs.

Whether you’re shopping for a used Martin Custom Shop guitar, a brand-new Martin Custom Shop build, or working with our team to commission your own Martin Custom Shop custom order, you’ll find the world’s best selection, support, and service here at CME.

Why Guitarists Want Martin Custom Shop Guitars

When it comes to the best Martin guitars, the Custom Shop lineup stands alone. Here’s why guitarists around the world—professional artists, session players, collectors, and enthusiasts—turn to Martin’s Custom Shop:

  • Hand-selected woods: Premium tonewoods like Adirondack spruce, Guatemalan rosewood, Madagascar rosewood, sinker mahogany, and more.
  • Custom neck profiles & specs: Choose your scale length, nut width, neck shape, and more.
  • Historic reissues & tributes: Vintage-correct pre-war D-28s, OM-45s, and D-18-style customs.
  • Ultra-limited runs: Highly collectible, CME-exclusive, and artist-endorsed models.
  • Superior craftsmanship: Every Martin Custom Shop guitar is built in Nazareth, PA, by the brand’s most skilled luthiers.

History of the Martin Custom Shop

Launched officially in the late 1990s, the Martin Custom Shop was created to give discerning players access to the kinds of options previously reserved for professional artists and VIP clients. Martin had always built one-off guitars for legends like Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, and Tony Rice—but the Custom Shop brought this level of personalized design to everyone.

Today, Martin Custom Shop guitars are considered some of the finest acoustic instruments in the world. From faithful Golden Era recreations to completely unique modern builds, the Custom Shop offers endless options for players who want something truly personal.

Most Popular Martin Custom Shop Guitars

Here are some of the most sought-after Custom Shop Martin models available:

  • Martin Custom Shop D-28 Authentic 1937: Pre-war style, hide glue, forward-shifted bracing. One of the most searched Custom Shop reissues.
  • Martin Custom Shop OM-28 & OM-45 Tribute Models: Classic orchestra body with high-end appointments, loved for fingerstyle and recording.
  • Martin Custom Shop 000-18: A vintage-style small-bodied acoustic with premium mahogany tone and playability.
  • Chicago Music Exchange Exclusive Custom Martin Builds: We frequently collaborate with Martin to create CME-exclusive Custom Shop runs with unique woods, specs, and aesthetics. Check our collection for the latest!

Martin Custom Shop Players

Some of the most iconic guitarists have relied on Martin Custom Shop guitars for tone, reliability, and individuality:

  • Eric Clapton – known for his Martin Custom Shop 000-28EC
  • John Mayer – performed and recorded extensively with custom Martin acoustics
  • Jason Isbell – a major proponent of Custom Shop vintage-style dreadnoughts
  • Ed Sheeran – uses signature Custom Shop-style guitars for live performance

Price Points for Martin Custom Shop Guitars

Pricing for Martin Custom Shop acoustic guitars depends on woods, ornamentation, and specs:

  • Used Martin Custom Shop guitars: ~$3,500–$6,000
  • Standard Custom Shop builds: ~$5,000–$8,000
  • High-end & Custom Artist builds: $9,000+
  • Ultra-luxury & collectible one-offs: $12,000+

At Chicago Music Exchange, every Martin Custom Shop guitar is individually photographed, weighed, and fully documented so you know exactly what you’re buying.

Why Buy a Martin Custom Shop Guitar from CME?

Chicago Music Exchange is the #1 destination for vintage, used, and Custom Shop Martin acoustic guitars. Trusted by touring artists, collectors, and enthusiasts worldwide, we offer:

  • Expert guidance from dedicated acoustic specialists
  • Exclusive CME-spec Martin Custom Shop guitars
  • Full guitar specs, high-res photography & weights listed online
  • “Make an Offer” button available on most listings
  • Fast shipping & responsive customer support
  • Buy-back program for certain Custom Shop and Vault Collection guitars

FAQ: Martin Custom Shop Guitars

What is the Martin Custom Shop?
The Martin Custom Shop is the brand’s in-house facility where expert luthiers build limited-run, bespoke, and historically accurate acoustic guitars.

How do Martin Custom Shop guitars differ from standard Martins?

They feature hand-selected tonewoods, more refined construction methods, unique options, and often draw on historic Martin designs with meticulous attention to detail.

Are Martin Custom Shop guitars worth the price?

Yes. These guitars deliver unmatched tone, playability, and long-term value. They’re highly collectible and often retain or increase in value.

What’s the best Martin Custom Shop model for fingerstyle?

The OM-28, OM-45, or 000-18 Custom models are excellent for fingerstyle players due to their responsiveness and clarity.

Can I custom order a Martin guitar through Chicago Music Exchange?

Yes! Contact our team to begin designing your own Martin Custom Shop guitar. We’ll walk you through woods, inlays, neck profiles, bracing, and more.

Martin Tonewood Buying Guide

The heart of every Martin Custom Shop guitar begins with its tonewood. From the crisp articulation of Adirondack spruce to the warm depth of sinker mahogany or the shimmering overtones of Guatemalan rosewood, the wood you choose shapes the sound, feel, and personality of your instrument. For players commissioning a Martin Custom Shop build—or browsing CME’s collection of unique Custom Shop guitars—understanding tonewoods is essential. Whether you’re chasing the punch of a pre-war D-28, the balance of an OM-28, or a one-of-a-kind auditorium with exotic appointments, knowing how different tops, backs, and sides affect projection, resonance, and sustain will help you find the perfect match.

Explore our [Martin Tonewood Buying Guide] to compare options, hear the differences, and discover which tonewoods align with your style. With expert insight from Chicago Music Exchange, you’ll have the knowledge to choose confidently and design the Martin guitar of your dreams.

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