Sigma Guitars 000MC-1STE+ auditorium electro-acoustic guitar, natural

General

Many of the characteristics of this 000MC-1STE+ electro-acoustic guitar by Sigma give away its past relationship with Martin Guitars. It's a triple O model that boasts top-quality components including a string nut and bridge saddle made of bone and machine heads by Grover. The Fishman Isys+ preamp is normally found on more expensive instruments. All in all, this good-looking, great-sounding instrument is great value for money.

Body, wood types and sound

The 000MC-1STE+'s body is slightly smaller than a dreadnought and many guitarists find this more comfortable to play. You can reach the 14th fret before meeting the body, but even then the higher frets can be easily accessed thanks to the cutaway. The solid Sitka spruce top ensures this model has plenty of volume and excellent projection too. It also adds extra sparkle to the warm sound provided by the mahogany back and sides. The Fishman Isys+ preamp works in conjunction with a piezo pickup to deliver the acoustic sound to your amp and thanks to the bass and treble controls you can tweak it to perfection. The preamp also has a built-in tuner and a phase inverter.

Sigma Guitars

In the 1970s, Martin Guitars launched a series of attractively-priced models under the name Sigma Guitars in order to compete with the growing number of cheaper models being produced in the Far East. Unfortunately, they stopped producing them in 2007 but a German company breathed new life into the name in 2011. With Martin Guitars' blessing, these models are now made in China. They're subject to strict quality controls and everything from the way they're made to the design of the headstock do the original models justice. In short, these acoustic guitars offer the same excellent value for money as the original models did. In the USA, these models are distributed by Martin under the name Kindred Guitars because they no longer hold rights to the Sigma Guitars name.