0Straight out of the case, the new Martin 00DB Jeff Tweedy seems like a rather standard affair – a mahogany grand concert that traces back to the 00-15 and 00-17 models of the 1930s. But a bit of investigation reveals the differences between the OG and the newcomer – the DB stands for “deep body,” and the new Tweedy model offers some dreadnought features in a concert package.
The 00DB Tweedy has the same profile as other 14-fret 00 Martins, but at 3⁵/8″ deep at the heel and 41/2″ at the end pin, it punches a little more like a bigger box. Combined with a 25.4″ scale length, it will feel familiar to pickers who spend their time on dreadnoughts.
With all-solid mahogany construction, the 00DB is loud and warm. Its bass response is remarkably punchy for the guitar’s size, and the long scale provides enough tension to really dig in. The tester was loud and resonant, and its setup was flawless right out of the box. Sporting a 13/4″ nut width on a legitimate V neck (Martin calls it Modified V), the Tweedy is a unique experience among the company’s production models.
The appointments are subtle, and many are a nod to the past. The 00DB has a straight ebony bridge, with unique inlays on the ebony fretboard the company calls Foden style. Nickel open-gear tuning machines round out the classic look. The Tweedy Burst finish on top is a yellow-orange hue in the middle, blending to a dark mahogany on the edge – a great frame for the top wood. White-on-black binding matches the top to the sides, with a dark mahogany gloss finish on the back and sides.
Under the hood, scalloped spruce X-bracing provides the familiar, focused tone of the American flat-top box. Weighing in at 4.1 pounds, the tester looked and felt like a premium product. Inside the sound hole is a serialized label signed by Tweedy himself, along with a Forest Stewardship Council-certification sticker, indicating the guitar’s woods were harvested sustainably, respecting environmental, social, and economic standards, and can be traced back to its original source.
The sole detracting feature of the 00DB Jeff Tweedy is the molded hardshell case that carries it. Many of Martin’s U.S.-made guitars ship in one, and they feel utilitarian (maybe even a bit undignified) compared to the guitars inside. – Michael Shirek
This article originally appeared in VG’s January 2026 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.