New from Martin Guitar is the GPCE Inception Maple acoustic guitar. Using tonewoods that are not endangered, the Inception is made entirely from sustainable and domestically abundant wood. Including an FSC®-certified European spruce top, maple sides, and a three-piece back made of maple and black walnut, the Inception delivers a clear, loud, and balanced tone and is visually striking.
Made by hand in Nazareth, PA, the Inception features “skeletonized X-Brace scalloped bracing and sonic channels inside the body, promising increased resonance and superior tone.” The bracing is stunningly crafted, and a work of art in itself, having a honeycombed appearance. Martin Guitars assures that this feature does not reduce structural integrity. They state, “during the final design phase, the GPCE Inception was measured using spectral analysis. By measuring the frequency response of the instrument, we were able to narrow down the sonic impact of its unique design features. In doing so, we proved that skeletonized bracing increases sustain and the sonic channeling increases amplitude. Typically, when you increase sustain, you lose amplitude or vice versa; the features of the GPCE Inception increase both.”
The GPCE acronym indicates Grand Performance. “CE” means a cutaway with onboard electronics. It features a modern profile neck that's 14 frets to a body sized between a dreadnought and an OOO, a satin amber fade sunburst finish, black walnut binding, maple arrow fingerboard inlays, gold open gear tuners, and a cutaway to help you reach the highest frets. Natural components were consciously chosen as much as possible, minimizing plastics and eliminating pearl and ebony. The tuners are kidney bean shaped and feel smooth and secure.
The playability of the Inception is excellent. A pleked neck resembles a narrow profile ‘70s Martin and has excellent intonation and feel. The action gets to be a bit on the high side past the 6th fret, which may not bother players playing strictly rhythm guitar. For those guitarists playing solos, you might prefer to have the bridge saddle lowered. I think that this guitar will continue to sound better and better as it ages and opens up.
The GPCE Inception comes with LR Baggs Anthem electronics. This premium system combines a pickup element as well as a microphone and sports a volume and tone control mounted in the soundhole. I played it through a Sheeran Busker amp and it sounded crisp and balanced and stood up nicely against a loud band. Also provided is a molded Martin Signature hardshell case. A very nice and unique guitar, available in right- and left-handed versions. $3,999
