Simon Marty, 2025

Simon Marty is widely regarded as one of the most innovative modern guitar makers working today. Based in Australia, Marty’s instruments are known for their distinctive design, exceptional responsiveness, and the unique tonal palette created by his celebrated radial bracing system.

This 2025 example represents a beautiful and somewhat uncommon configuration from the maker, featuring a cedar top paired with Indian rosewood back and sides. While many Marty guitars are built with spruce soundboards, the cedar used here adds an extra layer of warmth and depth while preserving the remarkable clarity and projection for which his instruments are known.

Marty’s radial bracing system differs significantly from both traditional fan bracing and modern lattice designs. Instead of parallel or lattice structures, the braces radiate outward from the center of the soundboard like spokes, creating a powerful yet controlled response. The result is a voice that feels incredibly transparent and immediate, allowing the player’s touch and tonal choices to come through with remarkable precision.

Specifications

Luthier: Simon Marty
Year: 2025
Top: Cedar
Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood
Construction: Radial bracing
Scale Length: 640 mm
Nut Width: 52 mm
Strings: D’Addario XTC45FF with normal tension nylon first string
https://ddar.io/guitar-collection
Condition: Excellent, almost new

Sound

The sound of this guitar is strikingly clear and balanced, with a transparency that makes it exceptionally expressive. The trebles are crystal clear but never harsh, capable of sounding glassy and brilliant or warm and rounded depending on the player’s touch. The basses are full, warm, and supportive without overwhelming the overall balance.

One of the most impressive aspects of Marty’s design is the combination of clarity and sustain. Notes speak quickly, bloom beautifully, and then decay slowly, creating long singing lines and an almost orchestral resonance. Another standout characteristic is the exceptional string separation: polyphonic passages remain clean and articulate, making the instrument particularly rewarding for repertoire that demands clarity across multiple voices. Despite the relatively short 640 mm scale length, the guitar retains tremendous projection and power, easily filling a room while remaining highly responsive to subtle changes in right-hand color and dynamics.

Playability

At 640 mm, the scale length offers excellent comfort without sacrificing tone or projection. The neck profile is smoothly rounded and very natural in the hand, contributing to a playing experience that feels both effortless and precise. The elevated fingerboard and careful setup allow for low, comfortable action while maintaining clarity and headroom, and combined with Marty’s ergonomic body shape, the guitar sits comfortably against the player and feels extremely stable during performance.

Excellent condition. Almost new, with small signs of use here and there.