Note: The strap pin is not mounted and included separately with the guitar.
The Martin Guitars 000JR-10E, the result of a collaboration between Martin and singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes, is constructed from 100% FSC-certified tonewoods and features a "000 Junior" shape with Martin's typical 14th-fret neck joint. This guitar delivers both the classic sound for which Martin has long been famous and a combination of excellent balance and playing comfort. A few of Shawn Mendes' own personal touches have also been added, including his signature inlay at the third fret and a pair of laser-etched swallows on the bridge (inspired by a tattoo on Mendes' right hand). Another interesting feature is that each guitar has hidden song lyrics laser-etched into the inside of the body. The guitar's solid spruce top has been treated with an aging toner, which together with the tortoiseshell pickguard provides an exceptionally authentic vintage look, and a Fishman Sonitone pickup system is also on board. The scope of delivery additionally includes a blue gig bag made from recycled plastic water bottles.
The Martin Guitars 000JR-10E Shawn Mendes delivers a well-balanced tone thanks to its solid sapele body and solid spruce top, and it will capably handle everything from full-sounding chordal rhythms to dynamic finger-picked passages. The mahogany neck, which features a 20-fret ebony fingerboard, has both a shorter scale length of 609mm (24") and a slim-taper profile, making this guitar comfortable for even those of smaller stature to play. As mentioned above, the Martin 000JR-10E also comes equipped with a Fishman Sonitone preamp system, which reproduces the guitar's warm, natural sound in environments that require a little more volume. The system features dedicated controls for volume and tone and, since it sits almost completely concealed inside the soundhole, leaves the instrument's authentic looks unspoiled.
Thanks to its direct response and powerful, nuance-rich midrange, the Martin Guitars 000JR-10E Shawn Mendes is eminently suited to strumming Rock ballads and to dynamic finger-picking in styles like Blues and Folk. Ambitious beginners and semi-professional players can thus enjoy the authentic Martin sound together with an excellent level of playing comfort from this versatile instrument, which also provides a feast for the eyes with its vintage looks thanks to the aging toner used for the top. It goes without saying that a Martin guitar has never been cheap, but Shawn Mendes insisted that his signature acoustic be as affordable as possible for musicians on a budget and of course for his fans, making the 000JR-10E Shawn Mendes a real bargain within Martin's product range.
Martin Guitars was founded in 1833 and is thus one of the most long-established brands in the history of the acoustic guitar. Several of Martin’s developments – including the dreadnought shape, robust X-bracing, the placement of the neck-to-body transition at the 14th fret (as opposed to the 12th fret as found on classical guitars), and the use of steel strings – have now become staples of modern guitar construction that countless other manufacturers have since adopted. To put it another way: Music today would sound very different had it not been for C.F. Martin & Co.
Players would be hard put to find a musical style in which the Martin 000JR-10E Shawn Mendes could not be used to great effect. Its balanced sound and direct response, together with the comfortable playing feel provided by the neck profile (designed by Shawn Mendes himself), will delight singer-songwriters and Blues afficionados as well as Folk musicians the world over. The guitar's versatility is of course enhanced still further by its Fishman preamp system, which means players can enjoy the same excellent sound amplified in the rehearsal room and on stage as they do when jamming at home. Taking this instrument from A to B is also made easier by its relatively compact size, and the included gig bag is ideal for transporting it safely.