MS Signature Model Mark 3
Darrell Scott playing the first Mark 3 MS model at the Perth ‘Southern Fried’ festival
Martin Simpson with Mk 2 MS guitar
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New Mark 3 Martin Simpson Signature model
My latest MS model, the Mark 3, is a little slimmer than before, with soundboard design changes keeping a strong smooth bass along with a strong clear treble. It is designed for either light or medium strings; strung with light strings and a low action it is instantly responsive and accessible, strung with medium strings and a slightly raised action it becomes a powerhouse.
Listen to Darrell Scott playing ‘River Take Me’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svS6MwQ5mBY
History
In 2002 I built an experimental Model 1 Sicilian with a modified bracing system.
I showed it to several guitarists, including Martin Simpson. It was clearly different enough to be considered a model in its own right so Martin and I agreed to introduce it as the Martin Simpson Signature model.
This new model had the same overall length and width as my Model 1, but a wider upper bout and a larger lower bout and was a little deeper, giving it a greater body capacity. It had a 650mm (25.6″) scale, an asymmetric bridge with split saddle, ebony binding with birdsfoot, and striking red and white purfling.
Martin took delivery of the first MS signature model in September 2003. In 2005 he changed it for the Mark 2 version with its modified bracing and a new bridge design.
Mark Knopfler collecting his specially commissioned Mark 2 MS guitar
The Martin Simpson Signature model has become one of my most popular guitars, chosen not only by Martin but also by Mark Knopfler, Darrell Scott and many others.
I build no more than six MS Signature models in any one year.
Click here for three songs sung by Darrell Scott (shown middle near right and lower far right) playing his MS model in an Acoustic Guitar Magazine video.
Specifications
| Soundboard: | European, Adirondack or Italian spruce |
| Back and sides: | Brazilian rosewood, African or Malaysian Blackwood |
| Neck: | Cuban mahogany |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony |
| Bridge: | Ebony with two piece bone saddle |
| Binding: | Ebony with red and white purfling |
| Trim: | Birdsfoot edging with red and white purfling |
| Body Width: | 16.3″ (415 mm) |
| Body Length: | 495mm (19 1/2”) |
| Max body depth: | 105mm (4 1/4”) |
| F/b width at nut: | 1 3/4″ (45 mm) |
| Scale: | 650mm = 25.6” |
| Tuners: | Gold Gotoh 510 with black buttons, others optional |
| Pickup (optional): | Highlander, internal or external battery |
The Mark 3 Martin Simpson model has a big sound, bigger than that of a 000 size guitar, but without the boomy bass of some jumbo and dreadnought guitars. And the volume isn’t at the expense of sustain, both bass and treble sustain well.
Standard string spacing at nut and bridge is wide, to suit finger-picking; plectrum players usually prefer closer spacing and I can close up the spacing if asked to do so.
The long scale suits tuning down well, so the tunings Martin uses that require low D and low C work well. It’s a very stable guitar and like all my models, holds its tuning well over long periods of time.
Here are a few pictures showing various stages of constructing a Martin Simpson Signature model – not a comprehensive account, just random photos.
1. Lining gluing to side
2. Side linings notched to receive back braces
3. Back and sides ready to receive the soundboard
4. Neck joint, showing through neck and wedge ends
5. Routing saddle slots in bridge
6. Finished bridge
7. Body bound and ready to receive neck
8. Bridge gluing onto lacquered guitar
Click on the thumbnails for larger images.