Matt Artinger AOM Acoustic

Condition: new, built for the 2026 Artisan Guitar Show

My relationship with Matt Artinger goes back 25 years. I've collaborated with him on numerous builds as both a player and dealer, and his electric guitars have consistently impressed me. So when Matt dedicated an entire winter to building acoustics, I paid close attention.

The AOM has real history behind it. In 2006, Matt collaborated with C.F. Martin to design and introduce the OMC Artinger 1, a limited Custom Shop run of about 78 guitars built in Nazareth. It was one of the most forward-thinking Martins of its era. Matt brought a side sound port, contoured arm bevel, oval soundhole, and mortise-and-tenon neck joint with hybrid scalloped X bracing to that project. Players praised it for its projection and clarity, noting a loud, pure, fundamental tone from the playing position that was unlike anything else in the Martin line. This AOM is a direct throwback to that collaboration, now built entirely under Matt's own roof with twenty additional years of experience behind it.

The sound here is even, woody, and direct. Matt focused on the fundamentals, and it shows. There's a pleasant dryness to this guitar that reminds me of mahogany, with no unwanted overtones or fluffy bass harmonics. It's a righteous tone whether you're playing with a pick or fingerstyle. This is a guitar that takes on the personality of whoever is playing it, which makes it ideal for recording.

The playability is fantastic. Nothing to struggle with here, because Matt's work is impeccable. The bear claw Sitka top and beeswing sapele are visually stunning, and the appointments reflect a builder who pulled out all the stops: pink abalone full-top purfling, flamed claro walnut binding, green abalone and black pearl inlays on the Madagascar rosewood fingerboard. The bound side port carries forward the same concept players loved on the Martin Artinger, putting the guitar's voice right in your ear.

From a Martin Custom Shop collaboration two decades ago to this fully realized AOM at the 2026 Artisan Show, the arc of Matt's acoustic work is right here. I'm proud to have it in the shop. Check it out!

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.