A Martin That Plays Like an Electric, Sounds Like a Martin
If you've ever wished you could get all the way up the neck on an acoustic without wrestling with a heel, the SC-13E Modern was built for you. Martin threw out the traditional playbook here — asymmetrical body, heel-less neck joint, 13th-fret cutaway — and the result is an acoustic-electric that feels more like your favorite Tele up top, but still delivers that unmistakable Martin voice when you hit a G chord.
The Mezcal Burst finish gives this one a bold, stage-ready look with a gloss sunburst top over solid Sitka spruce. Underneath, the offset S-shaped body uses koa fine veneer for balanced tone with smooth highs and punchy mids. It's built to be plugged in — the LR Baggs Element pickup gives you natural, feedback-resistant tone — but it sounds great unplugged, too. The Low Profile Velocity neck feels fast and comfortable in every position, and the Sure Align neck system lets you dial in your action just like an electric.
This is a guitar for players who want the versatility of an acoustic-electric without the usual compromises. Whether you're a songwriter, a gigging musician, or an electric player stepping into the acoustic world, the SC-13E Modern meets you where you are.
Built for Access, Designed for Comfort
The SC-13E Modern's most striking feature is the patented Sure Align neck system. The neck joins the body at the 13th fret instead of the traditional 14th, and there's no heel — just a smooth, sculpted curve that lets your hand glide all the way to the 20th fret. If you've ever struggled to reach the upper register on a cutaway acoustic, you'll know how rare this kind of access is.
The Low Profile Velocity neck shape is slim, asymmetrical, and designed to follow the natural rotation of your hand as you move up the fretboard. It's roomy enough for fingerpickers (1 3/4" nut width, 2 1/8" at the 12th fret) but feels immediately familiar to electric players. The 12-inch radius and ebony fingerboard keep everything smooth and fast. Barre chords, jazz voicings, and rapid-fire leads all feel effortless here.
The asymmetrical S-shaped body isn't just for looks — it's engineered for balanced output and effective feedback rejection. The offset design compensates for the deep cutaway by shifting more body mass toward the lower bout, keeping the sound full and resonant. Martin's Tone Tension X-bracing is scalloped on the treble side for sparkle and tapered on the bass side for low-frequency response, so every string rings out with equal volume and clarity.
Stage-Ready Electronics and Martin Tone
The SC-13E Modern comes with the LR Baggs Element pickup system — a low-profile under-saddle transducer paired with a simple, unobtrusive preamp mounted inside the soundhole. Volume control is right there where you need it, and the system delivers a robust, lively, natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end. It's plug-and-play ready for stage, studio, or home recording.
Acoustically, the SC-13E offers surprising volume for its size. The solid spruce top yields a direct, clear sound with broad dynamic range, while the koa fine veneer back and sides add a crisp, midrange-focused punch. It's bright without being brittle, warm without being muddy. Players often find the plugged-in tone even more impressive — the asymmetrical body and Tone Tension bracing give you more gain before feedback, so you can play louder and longer without fighting the guitar.
The gloss Mezcal Burst finish, white binding, ziricote dot inlays, and skeletonized Ratio tuners give the SC-13E Modern a polished, premium look. Built in Martin's Navojoa, Mexico facility and Plek'd at the factory for optimal playability, this guitar arrives ready to perform.
Product Features:
- Solid Sitka spruce top with gloss Mezcal Burst finish for clarity, projection, and bold visual appeal
- Koa fine veneer back and sides deliver smooth highs, punchy midrange, and balanced string-to-string response
- Patented Sure Align neck system with heel-less design provides full access to all 20 frets
- Low Profile Velocity neck shape with High Performance Taper follows your hand's natural rotation
- Asymmetrical offset S-shaped body engineered for balanced output and feedback rejection
- Tone Tension scalloped X-bracing (treble side scalloped, bass side tapered) for even volume and projection
- LR Baggs Element electronics with under-saddle transducer and soundhole-mounted volume control
- 25.4" scale length, 1 3/4" nut width, ebony fingerboard with 12" radius
- Lightweight skeletonized Ratio tuning machines with smooth, stable operation
- Factory Plek'd for optimal playability right out of the case; includes softshell case
Brand: Martin
Model: SC-13E Modern Mezcal Burst
SKU: 11SC13EMODBURST
Condition: New
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