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McPherson Manhattan Skyline 4.0XP
Articles:
Martins New Vintage Gloss Finish
Torrefication (Torrefaction) in Guitar Making (Revised for 2015)
Topping the list is the 000-42 Authentic 1939, a replication of this guitar, which the Martin Museum purchased at Christie’s auction house in 2008.
As with most Authentics, it features Madagascar rosewood, rather than the endangered Brazilian rosewood used in the 1930s. With a street price just over $9,000 it is a good deal less than what a one-off Custom Shop order would run that has similar specs. And many thousands of dollars less than a Brazilian rosewood version would have cost. A 12-fret 00-18A 1931 is coming out as well.
The Ditson 222 100th Anniversary is released in celebration of the 100th birthday of the Dreadnought design, which was originally made for the Ditson musical department stores.
This is a modern interpretation, retaining the mahogany back and sides and cosmetic looks, while having a torrefied Sitka spruce top and a 1-3/4” modified V neck. So it is quite similar to the D-18V model of the 1990s, only with the Vintage Tone System top.
Speaking of birthdays, the D-28 John Lennon 75th Anniversary guitar is a commemorative model made in cooperation with Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, marking the influential musician’s 75th birthday. it has peace signs inlaid around the soundhole, and other unique inlay work, and is made from Madagascar rosewood. It has traditional straight braces, like Lennon’s 60s D-28, but a modern Modified Low Oval neck profile with the Performing Artist Taper.
The Custom Shop Series is offering the CS-OM True North-16, made from highly figured koa and wooden marquetry with a compass motif. It has hide glue construction and should be of similar high quality as the previous CS Series guitars.
There has been no mention of what will be new for NAMM in terms of a “show special”, or the Standard and PA Series, et al. But they will be debuting their new on-board electronics, the VT Enhance. Made in partnership with Fishman Electronics, for the first time Martins are being offered with a bridge plate transducer, that gets blended with the signal of an under saddle pickup.
Higher-end Martins will also get a built in Aura imaging filter, which helps a guitar sound more like it is coming through a good microphone than an electronic pickup.
Specs include: All solid wood construction; 12-fret 000 (Auditorium) body size; Gonçalo Alves back and sides with high gloss finish; high gloss Sitka Spruce top with Vintage Tone System torrefaction, 5/16” A Frame bracing, printed cowboy artwork by William Mathews, Style 30 multi-colored wooden “rope” marquetry; mahogany neck with satin finish, Modified Low Oval profile, 1-3/4” width at nut, 2-1/4” string spacing, and Martin’s Simple Dovetail neck joint; ebony bridge and fingerboard with short pattern Diamonds and Squares fret markers; grained ivoroid binding; engraved Golden Age Relic side mount tuners with ivoroid knobs
This limited edition Martin guitar is available for sale to dealers only in 2015.
We end our reviews for 2015 with a look a Limited Edition sold to Martin dealers only in 2015, the LE-Cowboy-2015. It is a most interesting guitar that will surprise many people with its pretty tone and charming personality, once it gets out in more shops.
“…a pretty musicality from a clear and spacious treble, and the wound strings report with piano-like authority across the midrange and bass, defined but with a quick bloom of bassy undertone resonance.”
Read the Full Review Here
Specs include: All solid-wood construction; 12-fret dreadnought shape; Indian rosewood sides and three-piece back; European spruce top with M1 level Vintage Tone System treatment, including maple bridge plate; 5/16” Sitka spruce bracing; grained ivoroid binding; bound mahogany neck with solid headstock, 24.9” scale, 2-13/16” width at nut, modified low oval profile; ebony fingerboard and bridge with 2-5/16” string spacing; nickel open-geared tuners with butterbean knobs.
“This is the Harley hog of guitars, agile but oh so powerful. I love how it handles across intricate fingerstyle passages and wide open straightaways of full out strumming.”
Read the full review and see the video HERE
Specs include: Dreadnought body size; Indian siris sides and three-piece back with Indian rosewood center wedge; European spruce top with Martin’s Vintage Tone System; abalone herringbone purfling and Infinity Hexagon Outline fret markers; scalloped 1/4″ Adirondack spruce top braces; ebony fingerboard and bridge; grained ivoroid binding; mahogany neck with modified low oval profile and Performing Artist taper, 1-3/4” at nut and 2-1/8” at 12th fret; 2-3/16” string spacing; ebony headstock faceplate with mother of pearl Martin logo and CFM IV’s birth date; nickel waffle-back tuners; limited to 60 instruments
“The treble strings give off the tinkling chime of a music box, while the midrange notes stand firm and defined over a built-in reverb echoing from within…It is a voice of depth, color and definition, conjured out of a very interesting combination of woods and craftsmanship.”
After the death of founder Stan Jay in October 2014, the younger generation has taken on efforts to revitalize the venerable shop in Staten Island, where George Harrison wandered in one day to buy a ukulele some twenty years after Joni Mitchell wrote a song about buying a mandolin there. But Stan told me hers was actually a mandocello.
Unfortunately, neither of Stan’s children nor his widow have the expertise in fine fretted instruments that Stan did. And with the economy far from recovered, they have come to the conclusion that Mandolin Brothers will have to cease operations unless they can find someone to buy the business.
I know that Rudy Pensa of that other NYC institution, Rudy’s Music, had paid the family a visit recently. I assumed it was concerning just such a purchase, either of the entire business, or some of their existing stock should they close their doors. It would difficult to find a better, more passionate guitar man as Rudy, who not only sells guitars but builds them for world-class players like Mark Knopfler.
But it would be better yet if there was a way to keep this musical ark afloat. The first public notice of the the issues facing the Jay family appeared at the Mandolin Cafe website in October and a print article appeared in the November 2 issue of Crain’s New York Business publicly announcing the goal of finding a buyer.
It is hard to believe it is almost two years since Stan, Rudy, and I stood talking together at the Metropolitan Museum’s exhibit on early American guitars. It is hard to believe it has been over twenty years since I purchased the first of many guitars at Mandolin Brothers.
The cultural fabric of New York City is constantly changing with the only surety being nothing lasts forever, except dreams and memories. Mandolin Brothers fulfilled many of the former and created many more of the other.
I can only wish for Bea Jay and her children Eric and Alison to have all their hard work pay off for them. But regardless of the outcome, Stan’s legacy remains in the hearts and hands of musicians the world over, even if his very special shop is retired to history.
Each guitar is offered in Taylor’s popular “Grand Auditorium” body (size 14) with Sitka spruce tops and proprietary CV bracing designed for this body, and made from stiff Adirondack spruce. In addition to the on-board Expression System 2 electronics, other high-end features include rosewood binding, rosewood rosette and fret markers with mother of pearl trim, and a full gloss body.
The seldom seen Florentine cutaway offers clean lines that come together in a point like the tip of a crescent moon. It is a nice touch that increases the elegance and exclusivity of these new showcase Taylor Florentine Limiteds.
Official Page for Each Model: 514ce-FM LTD, 514ce-QS LTD, 714ce-S LTD
“Even without plugging in, the Martin 00-15E Retro produces satisfying tone, volume, and projection from its comfortably small acoustic guitar body. Regardless of the builder, guitars with a mahogany top share unique tonal properties, which have always challenged my skill at putting tone into words. Well this particular guitar provides a great specimen to practice on.”
Specs include: All sold wood construction; Indian rosewood back and sides; VTS torrefied Sitka spruce top; Style 41 abalone top trim and rosette; Adirondack spruce bracing with Golden Era style scalloping; flamed mahogany bindings; flamed cedar neck, with a modified low oval profile and Performing Artist taper, 1-3/4” at the nut, 2-1/8” at the 12th fret; 2-13/16” string spacing; ebony fretboard and bridge; bone nut, saddle, and bridge pins; tapered ribbon marquetry inlaid on the back and head stock made from cocobolo and mahogany; ribbon fingerboard markers in mahogany, abalone, and mother of pearl; open back Grand tuners with flamed koa buttons.
“Few if any Indian/Sitka dreadnoughts are as alive and dynamic and tuneful as the CS-D41-15.”
And while this HuffPost “interview” is mainly well-crafted promotional material for Martin, I will say she certainly gets things done in the real world of music marketing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-dunn/women-in-business-qa-aman_b_7997048.html
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