Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Recording Week 25
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • As It Was preset
  • Don't Give Up
  • Ron Wood's drum secret
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Electronic Drums Best beginner electronic drum sets 2025: top-rated entry-level e-drums, reviewed by experts
EVE Audio EXO
Studio Monitors Why EVE Audio’s all-new EXO Series is the ultimate modern monitoring solution
Mikael Åkerfeldt with his Martin OM Signature model, playing a few notes with trees in the background.
Artists Mikael Åkerfeldt has played Cobain’s D-18 and holy grail acoustics from the Martin museum but says his new OM beats the lot
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Guitars Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025: two men play a board game whole two others jam on Dove and J-45 acoustic guitars
Guitars Epiphone resurrects a 1963 Dove and five classic acoustics with help from the Gibson Custom Shop
TAMA STAR Drums
Drums TAMA STAR at Drums Week 2025: Unmatched craftsmanship, iconic sound — the strongest name in drums just got even stronger
PRS S2 Mira 594: lined up against a PRS head and cab, the relaunched and refreshed Mira 594 is presented in blue, Matcha Green, red and Antique White
Guitars “I don’t think it found its true voice until now”: Revived, refreshed, PRS adds the Mira 594 to the S2 range
The new Gibson Murphy Lab Light Aged Acoustics released on 9 September 2025, all lined up in a wood-panneled show room with round windows and a rural landscape outside.
Guitars Gibson expands acoustic Murphy Lab collection with five Light Aged classics – including a Nick Lucas 1929 reissue
The Sterling By Music Man Kaizen is a more affordable version of the Animals As Leaders guitarist Tosin Abasi's signature model, and is offered here in Firemist Purple Satin and Stealth Black.
Artists Sterling By Music Man unveils affordable version of Tosin Abasi’s futuristic Kaizen signature model
Herman Li of DragonForce sits with his new PRS SE signature model, Chleo, in a purple-lit room filled with arcade machines.
Artists PRS refreshes SE range and takes a top-tier shredder to the masses with Herman Li's Chleo
Roland V-Drums VAD 5 series
Drums Roland's big V-Drum 3 and 5 series drop adds 6 kits to its e-drum range, including V71-lite modules and on-trend acoustic-look options
PRS Mark Holcomb: previously only a limited edition run, the Periphery guitarist's Core Series signature model is now part of the PRS Guitars catalogue, as the Maryland high-end brand continues its 40th Anniversary celebrations by keeping the releases coming each month.
Artists Mark Holcomb’s limited run PRS is officially added to the Core series – and it ships in Drop C
Debbie Gough of Heriot demoes the new Jackson Pro Plus Metal Phase II Warrior on a darkened studio set.
Guitars Jackson adds Warrior, King V and Concert Bass to its limited edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage Series
Guitars Fender mixes old-school mojo with 21st-century playability for the American Ultra Luxe Vintage range
PRS SE Silver Sky 2025: refreshed for the brand's 40th anniversary, the SE Silver Sky John Mayer signature model is pictured in its new Laurel Green, Derby Red, Dandy Lion and Trad Blue finishes. A PRS tube amp and speaker cabinet is in the background.
Guitars John Mayer’s PRS SE Silver Sky Rosewood is refreshed with 4 fashion-inspired solid-colour finishes
  1. Guitars
  2. Acoustic Guitars

NAMM 2016: Martin introduces new 17 and 15 Series acoustic guitars and expands Premier Standard Series

News
By Michael Astley-Brown published 11 January 2016

New Fishman Aura and Matrix systems onboard electro-acoustic models

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

NAMM 2016: After dazzling us with its John Lennon D-28 and D-222 anniversary dreadnoughts, Martin has finally lifted the lid on its new core line models for 2016, including new 17 and 15 series acoustic guitars, plus an expansion of the Premier Standard Series.

Three guitars make up the all-acoustic 17 Series – which feature Black Smoke and Whiskey Sunset burst finishes – while the 15 Series adds two new electro-acoustic cutaway models, featuring Fishman's Matrix VT Enhance system.

New cutaway models have also been added to the 18, 28 and 35 Standard Series, which now equip the new Aura VT Enhance system from Fishman, offering Aura imaging specifically made for each guitar model – click through the gallery for a closer look at each of the new models.

Page 1 of 15
Page 1 of 15
Martin 00L-17 Black Smoke

Martin 00L-17 Black Smoke

  • Sloped shoulder Grand Concert
  • Solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides
  • Black Smoke finish with grained ivoroid binding and pickguard
  • Straightline Guatemalan rosewood bridge
  • Modified low oval neck with Performing Artist taper
  • Also available in Whiskey Sunset burst
Page 2 of 15
Page 2 of 15
Martin 000-17 Whiskey Sunset

Martin 000-17 Whiskey Sunset

  • Auditorium model
  • Whiskey Sunset burst finish
  • Solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides
  • Guatemalan rosewood fingerboard and bridge
  • Modified low oval neck with Performing Artist taper
  • Also available in Black Smoke
Page 3 of 15
Page 3 of 15
Martin 00-17S Black Smoke

Martin 00-17S Black Smoke

  • Grand Concert model
  • Satin Black Smoke finish with grained ivoroid binding
  • Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides
  • Guatemalan rosewood fingerboard and bridge
  • Also available in Whiskey Sunset burst
Page 4 of 15
Page 4 of 15
Martin DC-15ME

Martin DC-15ME

  • Dreadnought acoustic-electric cutaway
  • All-mahogany body
  • East Indian rosewood fingerboard and bridge
  • Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics
Page 5 of 15
Page 5 of 15
Martin OMC-15ME

Martin OMC-15ME

  • Orchestra acoustic-electric cutaway
  • Mahogany top, back and sides
  • East Indian rosewood fingerboard and bridge
  • Modified low oval neck with Performing Artist taper
  • Fishman Matrix VR Enhance electronics
Page 6 of 15
Page 6 of 15
Martin DC-18E

Martin DC-18E

  • Dreadnought acoustic-electric cutaway
  • Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides
  • Black ebony fingerboard and bridge with tortoise colour binding and matching pickguard
  • Fishman Aura VT Enhance electronics with soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls
Page 7 of 15
Page 7 of 15
Martin OMC-18E

Martin OMC-18E

  • Acoustic-electric cutaway model
  • Solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides
  • Black ebony fingerboard and bridge with tortoise colour binding and matching pickguard
  • Fishman Aura VT Enhance electronics
Page 8 of 15
Page 8 of 15
Martin GPC-18E

Martin GPC-18E

  • Grand Performance acoustic-electric cutaway
  • Solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides
  • Black ebony fingerboard and bridge with tortoise colour binding and matching pickguard
  • Modified low oval neck with Performing Artist taper
  • Fishman Aura VT Enhance electronics
Page 9 of 15
Page 9 of 15
Martin DC-28E

Martin DC-28E

  • Dreadnought acoustic-electric cutaway
  • Solid Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood back and sides
  • Black ebony fingerboard and bridge with matching black pickguard
  • Fishman Aura VT Enhance electronics
Page 10 of 15
Page 10 of 15
Martin OMC-28E

Martin OMC-28E

  • Orchestra acoustic-electric cutaway
  • Solid Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood back and sides
  • Black ebony fingerboard and bridge with matching black pickguard
  • Fishman Aura VT Enhance electronics
Page 11 of 15
Page 11 of 15
Martin GPC-28E

Martin GPC-28E

  • Grand Performance acoustic-electric cutaway
  • Solid Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood back and sides
  • Black ebony fingerboard and bridge with matching black pickguard
  • Fishman Aura VT Enhance electronics
Page 12 of 15
Page 12 of 15
Martin DC-35E

Martin DC-35E

  • Acoustic-electric dreadnought cutaway
  • Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood sides, three-piece back
  • Black ebony fingerboard and bridge with matching black pickguard
  • Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze strings
  • Fishman Aura VT Enhance system
Page 13 of 15
Page 13 of 15
Martin OMC-35E

Martin OMC-35E

  • Orchestra acoustic-electric cutaway
  • Solid Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood sides and three-piece back
  • Black ebony fingerboard and bridge with matching black pickguard
  • Fishman Aura VT Enhance electronics with soundhole tone and volume controls
  • Battery box integrated into endpin jack
Page 14 of 15
Page 14 of 15
Martin GPC-35E

Martin GPC-35E

  • Grand Performance acoustic-electric cutaway
  • Solid Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood sides and three-piece back
  • Black ebony fingerboard and bridge with matching black pickguard
  • Fishman Aura VT Enhance electronics
Page 15 of 15
Page 15 of 15
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

Read more
Mikael Åkerfeldt with his Martin OM Signature model, playing a few notes with trees in the background.
Mikael Åkerfeldt has played Cobain’s D-18 and holy grail acoustics from the Martin museum but says his new OM beats the lot
 
 
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025: two men play a board game whole two others jam on Dove and J-45 acoustic guitars
Epiphone resurrects a 1963 Dove and five classic acoustics with help from the Gibson Custom Shop
 
 
TAMA STAR Drums
TAMA STAR at Drums Week 2025: Unmatched craftsmanship, iconic sound — the strongest name in drums just got even stronger
 
 
PRS S2 Mira 594: lined up against a PRS head and cab, the relaunched and refreshed Mira 594 is presented in blue, Matcha Green, red and Antique White
“I don’t think it found its true voice until now”: Revived, refreshed, PRS adds the Mira 594 to the S2 range
 
 
The new Gibson Murphy Lab Light Aged Acoustics released on 9 September 2025, all lined up in a wood-panneled show room with round windows and a rural landscape outside.
Gibson expands acoustic Murphy Lab collection with five Light Aged classics – including a Nick Lucas 1929 reissue
 
 
Latest in Acoustic Guitars
Harley Benton CLF-50E Parlor Metallic: the compact-bodied acoustic has been launched with a range of metallic finishes.
Harley Benton’s new acoustic is a compact parlour with a solid top and metallic colour finish – and it is just $250
 
 
Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier says that the problem with using AI for music making is that “it’s almost too perfect”
 
 
The legendary luthier Ken Parker in his workshop with one of his groundbreaking archtop designs.
Ken Parker, the visionary luthier behind the Parker Fly, has died, aged 73
 
 
Mikael Åkerfeldt with his Martin OM Signature model, playing a few notes with trees in the background.
Mikael Åkerfeldt has played Cobain’s D-18 and holy grail acoustics from the Martin museum but says his new OM beats the lot
 
 
Jacob Collier
Using his signature ‘DAEAD’ tuning, Jacob Collier recorded a 5-string acoustic guitar album in just four days
 
 
The new Gibson Murphy Lab Light Aged Acoustics released on 9 September 2025, all lined up in a wood-panneled show room with round windows and a rural landscape outside.
Gibson expands acoustic Murphy Lab collection with five Light Aged classics – including a Nick Lucas 1929 reissue
 
 
Latest in News
A selection of IK Multimedia plugins for music production on a purple background
Buy one $49.99 IK Multimedia plugin and get a whopping 38 free with the best plugin deal of the year so far
 
 
Rick Rubin, D'Angelo and Eric Clapton
When Rick Rubin and Eric Clapton got to hear D’Angelo’s Voodoo album before it was released, they were blown away
 
 
Shirley Manson of Garbage performs during the Ohana Music Festival held at Doheny State Beach on September 26, 2025 in Dana Point, California
“You’re gonna get f***ing white bread”: Shirley Manson takes aim at the music industry, Spotify and Ticketmaster
 
 
Zultan Alaris cymbals
“Deliver a light, open sound with exceptional stick definition and a gentle, airy wash: Zultan unveil new ALARIS cymbal range
 
 
BLOW RECORDS Spotify header
Meet the AI 'artist' that's earning four times the average wage in the UK
 
 
INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Prince performs live at the Fabulous Forum on February 19, 1985 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
How Prince embraced The Beatles and recorded one of the most vulnerable ballads of his career
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...