Decoding the Martin Guitar Nomenclature: A Deep Dive into the Numberin

C.F. Martin & Co. has been building guitars since the 1830s, and over time they developed a unique nomenclature that blends tradition, innovation, and logic. If you’ve ever wondered what D-28, 00-18V, or OM-21E mean, you’re not alone. While it may seem cryptic at first, the Martin naming system is a well-structured way to identify a guitar’s body shape, appointment level, and sometimes even its special features.

This blog post will break down the Martin model numbers piece by piece.

The Two-Part Core:

Body Size + Style Number

Most Martin guitar models follow a basic format:

[Body Size]-[Style Number]

Example: D-28

Part 1: Martin Body Sizes

The letter or number(s) before the dash refer to the body size and shape of the guitar. Here’s a breakdown of the most common:

Code	Name	Description
0	Concert	Small body, excellent for fingerstyle. One of Martin’s earliest shapes.
00	Grand Concert	Slightly larger than the 0, with more projection.
000	Auditorium	Balanced tone, popular for both strumming and fingerpicking.
OM	Orchestra Model	Similar to 000 but with longer scale (25.4”) and wider nut (1 3/4”).
D	Dreadnought	Large body, powerful bass, ideal for strumming and flatpicking.
J	Jumbo	Larger than a Dreadnought, designed for maximum projection.
GP	Grand Performance	Modern cutaway body with strong mids and a fast neck.
M or 0000	Grand Auditorium	Larger 000 with more bass and sustain.
SC	Modern SC Shape	Asymmetrical cutaway designed for upper fret access and ergonomic comfort.

Note: The numbers grow with size and volume—0 is smaller than 00, which is smaller than 000, and so on.

Part 2: Style Numbers

The number after the dash refers to the style, which determines the level of ornamentation, tonewood selection, and other specs. The higher the number, the more upscale the features.

Here’s a simplified reference:

Style	Back & Sides	Binding	Inlays & Trim
15	Mahogany	Minimal or none	Simple dot markers, satin finish
17	Mahogany	Basic	Retro appointments
18	Mahogany	Black or Tortoise	Modest rosette, dot inlays
21	Rosewood	Simple white	Small dot inlays, minimal trim
28	Rosewood	White or Herringbone	Hex inlays, bold tone
35	Rosewood (3-piece back)	White	Bound fingerboard, hex inlays
41	Rosewood	Abalone trim	Fancy hex inlays, ornate rosette
42	Rosewood	Abalone all over	Snowflake inlays, high-end detailing
45	Premium Rosewood	Abalone heavy	Martin’s most ornate, top of the line

Example: A D-28 is a Dreadnought body with the 28 style—meaning rosewood back and sides, white binding, and modest trim.

Additional Letters & Suffixes Explained

Martin often adds letters or suffixes to indicate specific features or variations:

Suffix	Meaning
E	Electronics (pickup installed)
V	Vintage series (traditional specs like forward-shifted bracing, V-neck, etc.)
C	Cutaway body
H	Herringbone trim
P	Premium appointments or tonewoods
A	Adirondack spruce top
L	Left-handed
S	Slotted headstock and 12-fret neck
K	Koa wood used
Reimagined	Denotes 2018 updates to standard models with forward-shifted bracing, aging toner, and modified neck shapes

Example:

000-18E = Auditorium size, mahogany back/sides, with electronics.
OM-28V = Orchestra Model with rosewood and vintage appointments.

Special Series and Limited Editions

Beyond the standard naming conventions, Martin produces special runs such as:

Authentic Series – Faithful reproductions of pre-war Martins, often using hide glue and vintage specs.
Custom Shop – Guitars built to user specifications, usually marked with “Custom” on the label.
CEO / LE Models – Special editions designed by Martin’s CEO or limited runs with unique features.

Summary: Decoding a Martin Model Example

Model: D-18V

D = Dreadnought body
18 = Mahogany back and sides, basic trim
V = Vintage Series (forward-shifted bracing, V-neck)

Now you know: It’s a large-bodied guitar with a dry, articulate tone and traditional construction.

Conclusion

While the Martin guitar nomenclature may seem intimidating at first glance, it’s actually a logical system once you understand the elements. Whether you’re buying your first Martin or analysing a vintage treasure, knowing how to decode the body size, style number, and suffixes can tell you nearly everything you need about the instrument.