Limited edition Martin guitars to be unveiled January 2016
Martin Guitars is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its iconic Dreadnought model with the launch of two brand new limited edition guitars – the D-222 Anniversary Edition and D-28 John Lennon 75th Anniversary Edition Limited to only 100 units, the D-222 commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Dreadnought (1916-2016). A 12-fret Dreadnought crafted from a Sitka spruce top with Vintage Tone System, the guitar features mahogany back and sides, grained ivoroid binding, slotted headstock, and an ebony fingerboard and bridge.
Meanwhile, to commemorate John Lennon’s 75th birthday, the D-28 John Lennon 75th Anniversary Edition is limited to only 75 instruments. The guitar features a solid Adirondack spruce top with Vintage Tone System and comes with Madagascar rosewood back and sides for a powerful bass resonance – the back being inlaid with HD-28 style zig-zag peace sign marquetry. The Madagascar rosewood headplate is adorned with Lennon’s famous self-portrait illustration that rests beneath the Martin script logo.
Martin will also be showcasing two beutiful new models in its Authentic Series – the 000-42 Authentic 1939 and the 00-18 Authentic 1931 – as well as a new limited edition Custom Shop model, the CS-OM True North-16.
The 000-42 Authentic 1939 is crafted with hide glue construction, dovetail neck joint, solid Adirondack spruce top with Vintage Tone System, solid Madagascar rosewood back and sides and black ebony fingerboard and bridge. This is a 000 model designed to offer rich sustain and crisp tone.
The 00-18 Authentic 1931 has been faithfully reproduced with hide glue construction, dovetail neck joint, Adirondack spruce top with Vintage Tone System, genuine mahogany back and sides and a black ebony fingerboard and bridge.
Lastly, limited to just 50 units, the CS-OM True North-16 Orchestra model features an ebony fingerboard, bridge and headplate, a solid Adirondack spruce top and Koa back and sides, which is designed to produce optimised, well-balanced tone. The back features a compass design inlaid with flamed jarrah, Claro walnut, waterfall bubinga and Paua pearl. The ebony headplate also has a True North design inlaid with mother of pearl. While this limited edition Custom Shop model is not a Dreadnought style, it aims to demonstrate how a manufacturer with 183 years of tradition and premiere craftsmanship can continue to introduce innovative design elements, while remaining true to its roots.