Martin Simpson Private Stock Acoustic
- Select Adirondack Spruce Top
- Cocobolo Back & Sides
- Peruvian Mahogany "Martin Simpson" Neck
Please note: this is a 2019 model. See our Products listing for current models.
“The Martin Simpson signature model guitar is simply the result of the PRS team being truly attentive to the feedback of a player. I have felt privileged to be able to tell them what I think will make a better guitar for great acoustic playing, and they have listened to my input from materials to neck width and string spacing, pick up sound and inlays....and when the final model arrived, I was blown away by the results. This model is entirely the best materials, and the specs which I asked for, presented in a deluxe version. It is a great instrument made by people who care and strive always for the highest standards in tone, playability, workmanship and aesthetics.” – Martin Simpson.
Born in the PRS Maryland shop, PRS Acoustics are heirloom-quality instruments with remarkable tone and exquisite playability. A small team of experienced luthiers handcraft all Maryland-made PRS acoustics with passion and attention to detail. The Martin Simpson acoustic comes standard with our customized pickup system. The PRS Acoustic pickup system is a proprietary, full band width Piezo pick up that is combined with a proprietary 18 volt custom-voiced preamp.
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Martin Simpson on PRS Acoustics
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McManus & Martin Simpson - NAMM 2011
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PRS Acoustic Guitars with Martin Simpson
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Inside PRS Acoustics - John Hiatt
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Foundations: Ricky Skaggs, Martin Simpson, Tony McManus, Cody Kilby and Paul Reed Smith
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On Humidification
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Inside PRS Acoustics with Joey Lambert
Specifications
| Body | |
|---|---|
| Top Wood | Select Adirondack Spruce |
| Middle Wood | Private Stock Grade Cocobolo |
| Back Wood | Private Stock Grade Cocobolo |
| Body Shape | 15 1/2" Cutaway |
| Body Depth at Neck Block | 3 5/8" |
| Body Depth at Tail Block | 4 1/2" |
| Bracing | PRS X-Brace/Classical Hybrid Design |
| Body Purfling | Green Select Abalone |
| Body Binding | Curly Maple |
| Rosette | Curly Maple and Green Select Abalone |
| Neck | |
|---|---|
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Scale Length | 25 1/4" |
| Neck Wood | Peruvian Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Martin Simpson |
| String Spacing | 2.36" |
| Fretboard Wood | Ebony |
| Fretboard Inlay | Green Select Abalone "J" Birds |
| Headstock Veneer | Ebony |
| Headstock Veneer Inlay | Private Stock Eagle |
| Strength/Truss Rod | High-Modulus Carbon Fiber |
| Nut | Bone |
| Hardware | |
|---|---|
| Bridge Wood | Ebondy |
| Tuners | PRS Tuners |
| Acoustic Saddle | Bone |
| Electronics | |
|---|---|
| Acoustic Electronics | Proprietary, Full Bandwidth Piezo Pickup with a Proprietary 18-Volt Custom-Voiced Preamp |
| Options | |
|---|---|
| Option | Optional Brazilian Back and Sides |
Design & Build Philosophies
PRS SE Acoustics apply what we have learned from history and from our Private Stock acoustic instruments to a comprehensive selection of body shapes, wood pairings, and bracing styles. We have taken great care in these designs to ensure you are getting quality products with unique voices and PRS benchmark playability and quality.
The body shape of an acoustic affecs its look, its sound, and its feel. PRS offers two acoustic body shapes: Angelus Cutaway and Tonare Grand, meaning “Angel” and “Thunder” respectively. These shapes provide a comfortable, familiar feel for players and are both well suited for playing with a pick or fingerstyle.
The bracing pattern of an acoustic also contributes to its voice. PRS SE Acoustics come with either traditional “X” bracing or PRS’s hybrid “X”/Classical bracing. Traditional “X” bracing allows the top to vibrate while providing a stability that gives these instruments their signature punch. PRS Hybrid bracing features the traditional “X” at the soundhole with classical fan bracing across the belly. This allows the top to vibrate more freely for a rounder, more projecting tone. The back bracing on both body shapes is designed to “lock down” the back and sides to promote the instrument’s projection through the top, giving the instruments a unique tonal quality.
Acoustic back and side wood choices help determine the guitar’s fundamental tone. SE acoustics feature mahogany, ovangkol, and maple back and side woods – all paired with solid Sitka spruce tops – each one offering its own flavor. When matched with the body shape and bracing style, the guitars overall voice is largely formed.
Everything on an instrument that touches the strings has the ability to detract from the strings’ vibration. PRS carefully speced these parts to promote sustain and response as much as possible. All PRS SE acoustics feature bone nuts and saddles for this reason.
PRS SE acoustics feature a Fishman GT1 electronics system, featuring an undersaddle pickup and soundhole mounted preamp with easy-to-access volume and tone controls. This system delivers dynamic, organic tone that allows players to go from rehearsal to the stage with ease.
PRS SE acoustic names are organized by body shape, bracing, wood combinations, and electronics. Here is a quick guide to help you decode what our model names mean.
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