
( Brand: Martin ), ( Model: CF-1 ), ( Part Type: Guitar ), ( Body Type: Arch Top ), ( Dexterity: Right-handed ), ( String Configuration: 6 String ), ( Country/region Of Manufacture: United States )
The Jazzmaster CF-1 by Martin is an exceptional archtop acoustic-electric guitar that represents an excellent fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovations suitable for jazz, blues, and other genres that require a rich, resonant sound. With its stylish and distinct design, this guitar has become a popular choice among musicians seeking a versatile and high-performing instrument.
The CF-1 boasts a beautiful, hand-sprayed, high-pressure laminate (HPL) 5-ply top, back, and sides. This durable and elegant material ensures tonal consistency, adds a unique aesthetic appeal, and offers resistance to environmental changes. The Canadian wild cherry back and sides further add to the guitar's outstanding appearance and contribute to its warm and balanced tonal characteristics.
A key feature of the Jazzmaster CF-1 is its FSC certified, solid Sitka spruce bridge plate and soundboard bracing. These components enhance the guitar's structural rigidity, improving its overall sound quality and responsiveness while offering lasting durability.
The CF-1's beautiful arched top, with its elegant Venetian cutaway, offers unhindered access to the upper frets, making it effortless to explore the entire fretboard for extensive playing possibilities. The binding along the top, back, neck, and headstock inspires confidence and adds a sleek yet classical touch to the guitar.
This versatile instrument comes equipped with a Fishman Sonitone electronics system, enabling simple amplification and control of its tone. Its built-in control panel features a volume control knob, a pickup blend control, and a phase switch, offering a wide range of sound shaping capabilities.
The Jazzmaster CF-1 features a comfortable and fast 25.4-inch scale length, 16.5-inch radius, and an elegant, low-profile, 22-fret compensated T-bar truss system, which reliably maintains string height and intonation under varying playing conditions, delivering consistent, precise, and accurate intonation across the entire fingerboard.
With its adjustable M6 truss rod within the neck heel and Martin's renowned high-precision, nickel open gear machine heads, this guitar ensures optimal playability and tuning stability. Furthermore, it ships with a hard-shell case and a signed Certificate of Authenticity, providing peace of mind and extra protection.
Overall, the Martin Jazzmaster CF-1 is an impressive archtop acoustic-electric guitar that exudes elegance, versatility, and remarkable sound quality. Its combination of traditional techniques and modern advances suitable for various music genres makes it a substantive investment for any serious musician.
The Martin Jazzmaster Archtop CF-1 is a fascinating addition to Martin's guitar lineup, offering a unique blend of archtop and jazzbox elements. This hybrid guitar is worth considering for those seeking a versatile instrument, but it's crucial to understand the associated advantages and disadvantages before making a purchase decision.
Pros:1. Versatile Tone: The combination of an archtop body and a jazzbox neck provides a rich, complex tone that suits various playing styles and genres, including jazz, blues, and folk. The built-in Fishman Sonitone electronics further enhance the guitar's adaptability by allowing users to fine-tune their sound for different amplification scenarios.
2. Attractive Design: The Jazzmaster Archtop CF-1's distinctive appearance, with its sunburst finish, elegant binding, and classic Martin headstock, makes it an eye-catching addition to any collection. Its unique silhouette is sure to turn heads and spark envy among fellow musicians.
3. Compact Size: In comparison to other archtop guitars on the market, the CF-1's medium-size body is more manageable and easier to transport. It offers the tonal benefits of an archtop while being more lightweight and portable, making this guitar an excellent choice for gigging musicians.
4. High-quality Craftsmanship: Martin is renowned for its exceptional instrument-building skills and attention to detail. The Jazzmaster Archtop CF-1 is no exception, with its solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, and sharp fretwork that cater to the most demanding players.
Cons:1. Higher Price Point: The Martin Jazzmaster Archtop CF-1 comes with a hefty price tag, which may not be within every musician's budget. While the quality and versatility of the instrument justify the cost, potential buyers need to weigh the additional expense against other options such as traditional archtops or more affordable semi-hollow designs.
2. Limited Fingerboard Radius: Some players might find the shallow 16-inch fingerboard radius less conducive to playing fast, intricate solos or complex chord voicings. This could potentially be an issue for players frequently employing these techniques in their playing style.
3. High Action: Out of the box, some customers have reported high initial string action on the Jazzmaster Archtop CF-1, which may need adjustments in order to provide optimal playing comfort. This additional requirement could lead to setup costs for the guitarist.
Conclusion:The Martin Jazzmaster Archtop CF-1 is a beautifully designed and expertly crafted instrument that boasts an impressive versatile tone and an attractive appearance. Its drawbacks include a higher price point and some potential issues with action and fingerboard radius.
For players seeking a fusion of archtop and jazzbox elements or those requiring the unique tonal qualities of both styles, the Jazzmaster Archtop CF-1 is a worthwhile investment. However, those with more conventional playing styles, limited budgets, or preferences for trademark archtop or jazzbox designs might find other options meeting their specific needs more effectively.
I bought this about 8 years ago for an investment. It has been out of the case less than a dozen times to show off to other guitarists and friends. They are not made anymore.
Played I guess less than 1/2 hour total. The guitar is mint perfect condition and still smells new. I did change the strings a few years ago.
Original polishing cloth, booklet and hang tag. I answer question and ship fast. Amazing how they tarnish just sitting in my humidity controlled closet in the case.
The case is just about perfect. It was made in Nazareth pa.