April 25, 2024

Tag: OM-45

Acoustic Guitars

C.F. Martin & Co. Launches Four New Models for Summer 2023         

one manby one man0

Two John Mayer Signature Artist Edition Martins

An all-sapele SC hybrid model and a new D-15E with onboard electronics also released.

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.—Friday August 25, 2023—C. F. Martin & Co. announced today the release of four new models, including two signature artist edition models that celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Grammy Award-winning artist John Mayer’s popular OM-28JM model. This launch also includes an affordable addition to the popular SC lineup, and an oh-so-appealing alternative to those who’ve been eyeing up an all-mahogany 15 Series guitar.

John Mayer 20th Anniversary Models

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of John Mayer’s popular OM-28JM model, Martin collaborated again with John Mayer to offer two stunning anniversary models. They are limited to the calendar year 2023, so make sure to check them out soon.

OM-45 John Mayer Anniversary

On John’s first signature model with Martin, he chose to include an aluminum border around the headplate and bridge. For this anniversary model, the border is expanded to the fingerboard and pickguard and the border has been upgraded to a fine silver that will look amazing for the life of the guitar. Like Mayer’s previous models, it includes a thinner 1 11/16th width at the nut for comfort and speed. It also includes stunning satin nickel Waverly tuners. This edition includes a unique label with Mayer’s signature. $18,499

OMJM John Mayer 20th Anniversary

This tasteful Orchestra model exhibits the same versatility for today’s diverse contemporary musical styles and includes a unique label with Mayer’s electronic signature. This edition is limited to the calendar year 2023, so make sure to check it out soon! If you’re looking for something with a little more bling, check out the OM-45 John Mayer Platinum Anniversary Model, which is also new for 2023. $3,999

Mahogany Family Tree Grows Branches

SC-10E-02

The SC-10E-02, with its patented Sure Align® neck system, gives you full access to all frets so you can comfortably reach those high notes. It’s also equipped with a low-profile velocity neck barrel that ergonomically accommodates your hand as you move up the neck, giving you the comfort and playability of an electric. The affordably priced SC-10E-02 includes a satin finished sapele top, back, and sides for a warm, yet crisp tone. It features a Richlite® fingerboard and bridge with mother-of-pearl pattern inlay that is complemented by a rosewood pattern HPL headplate, and chrome enclosed gear tuners. To top it off, it comes with a softshell case for ultimate portability. $999

D-15E

If you’ve had your eye on a Martin 15 Series guitar, the D-15E is going to knock your socks off. This 14-fret Dreadnought is crafted with sapele back and sides and a mahogany top with non-scalloped bracing, so you’re going to hear bright, airy trebles and a punchy midrange. The Dreadnought body provides plenty of volume so this baby can handle whatever music scenario you can dream up. To top it off, this model comes equipped with Martin E1 electronics and a softshell case to make it super easy to take with you on all your adventures. $1,299

 

 

 

 

 

Acoustic Guitars / events

Martinfest 15 – A Big Success

one manby one man1

Martinfest is the annual gathering of the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum

Taking place in and around Nazareth, Pennsylvania, home of Martin Guitars, the 15th Martinfest was a successful mixture of tradition and new directions.

Here is a video of just some of the amazing instruments I and others got to play at Martinfest 15, over the first weekend of August, 2016, all of them made by C. F. Martin & Co, est. 1833.

Those guitars referred to as “converted” typically started as Martins from the 1950s or 1960s. which had aged gracefully, or been through some hard times, before they were re-topped and braced to be much more like the Martin guitars of the 1930s than most modern guitars. The conversions in this video were all accomplished by master craftsman who honed their skills at the Martin factory for decades, before going into “private practice.”

A Wonderful Annual Party

As described in greater detail elsewhere, Martinfest consists of a friendly gathering of guitarists from all levels of skill and varied musical tastes, along with their friends and family members. This year there were some 180 people registered, although they didn’t all stay at the main hotel.

During the days, we congregated at Nazareth’s Boro Park (Friday and Sunday) and the town center for the Martin on Main street fair (Saturday.) The evenings consisted of all-night reveling and music making at the hotel. This year, we were joined by the one and only Laurence Juber, one of the world’s best guitarists. LJ was our special guest at Maritnfest 5 and Martinfest 10.

It was a new hotel this year, for the very first time. And while it may be too far from Nazareth to become our new home, it was a very good stop-gap place to stay and play.

Here is a video showing some of the goings on, but only representing a fraction of the people who actually attended the overall event.

Details of the 2016 Martinfest events, and in depth descriptions of some of the guitars can be read at the UMGF in my personal Martinfest Journal of Adventure.

Below is a picture by famed photog Robert Corwin, showing your humble Spoon playing a 1930 OM-45 De Luxe.

Spoon Phillips plays 1930 Martin OM-45 De Luxe photo: Robert Corwin

photo: R. Corwin

One of 11 made, it among the most valuable guitars ever built. Since I was asked to demonstrate the one at the Martin Museum on that Friday night, I may be the only person in history to play two of these less than two days apart since they were shipped from Nazareth in 1930.

Yeah, Martinfest is that kind of event.