Clapton models from Martin through the years
On Sunday, March 30 2025, Eric Clapton’s 80th birthday, Martin chose to release to two new models also commemorating the 30th anniversary of the first EC model, the 000-42EC. Well, actually Eric asked that Martin make the announcement on his birthday.
Here are some of the more interesting Eric Clapton models, including some never featured on Martin’s website, with my exclusive insider comments below Martins official comments.
(click photos to enlarge)
2016 – 000-45ECJM
This one did not get a mention on Martin’s web site, but it is certainly, one of the coolest Clapton signature models of all time. This 000-45, exclusive to the Japan market, features the traditional “C Martin F” Style 45 head stock logo, and a three-piece back of Madagascar rosewood with a swerving center wedge of Brazilian rosewood, and a VTS Adirondack top with VTS Authentic Series 1/4″ braces. Personally, if I had the kind of money that afforded a guitar like this, I would be pretty miffed that Martin never offered these stateside! – omg
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2011 – 000-42ECJM
Limited to just 100 guitars and available exclusively in Japan, this model features an Adirondack spruce top, Madagascar rosewood back and sides, and intricate 42-style snowflake inlays—making it a rare and highly collectible signature edition.
Like the new 30th Anniversary models, this guitar had Vintage Style 42 fret markers, which start at the 5th fret with the large, round snowflake. The Standard 000-42 and most other 42s in the modern era have a Vintage Style 45 pattern with the round snowflake at the first fret.
This was originally meant to be the 000-42 Marquis Madagascar, companion to the 000-42 Marquis. The illegal coup d’é·tat in Madagascar put an end to Martin purchasing the rare rosewood from that island nation and they scrapped the edition, sad to say. Instead they converted the idea by slapping Clapton’s signature guitars with the same specs and sold them in Japan for a seriously high price. As such, they are unique from other EC models in having the 1/4” Golden Era style bracing, and a Modified V neck shape with the Golden Era heel shape, which makes the entire neck rounder and fuller than the Modified V necks on all other Clapton models. – TSP
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2014 – OM-ECHF Navy Blues
Nearly a decade after the Bellezza Nera, Eric, Martin, and Fujiwara reunited to create this OM model with a longer 25.4″ scale length and a striking navy blue finish—offering a fresh twist on a classic design.
The alternate 1902 torch adds a lavish embellishment to this already swanky Martin. This was another unique EC; in that it is a long-scale OM with 1/4″ OM bracing.
This was in fact a mistake. It had been some years since a Clapton model appeared, and he was famous for taking about loving the Martin OMs from the prewar era. But he actually played short-scale 000s. The term Orchestra Model originally applied to all 14-fret Martins, compared to the 12-fret “Standard” models. So, Clapton likely knew what he was talking about when referring to his short-scale prewar 000s with 5/16″ bracing as being “OMs.” But even at Martin, most people in the modern era hear OM and assume it is a long-scale instrument with 1/4″ braces. And that is what they made.
Somehow, everyone forgot that all Clapton models were made with the 24.9” short scale and traditional 5/16” 000 bracing. By the time someone realized this new blue Clapton was made with the 25.4” long scale and 1/4″ bracing, it was too late. Fortunately the namesake artist loved his new blue guitar and the extra volume, resonance, and projection offered by the greater string tension that comes from a long-scale neck. It immediately became his main acoustic in concert for many years. – omg
Read our full review of the OM-ECHF Navy Blue HERE
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2019 – 000-42EC-Z
Among the most luxurious signature guitars Martin has ever produced, this limited-edition model features ziricote back and sides, a VTS Sitka spruce top, and intricate pearl and maple detailing—designed to benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua.
The classic 1930 Style 45 torch headstock inlay and the full Vintage Style 45 fret markers give this the look of a pre-war OM-45 only on a short-scale 000. Yum. I’ve not played one, but I like the warmth of zirocote, which will be made all the warmer by the Sitka soundboard. – omg
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2013 – Crossroads Collection
Three beauties made to raise money for his Crossroads Centre in Antigua. These are Madagascar rosewood and Carpathian spruce 000s in styles 28, 42, and 45. They also have the Crossroads emblem on the headstock – omg
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2023 – Crossroads Collection
Supporting the Crossroads Centre’s mission, Eric previously collaborated with Martin and Guitar Center in 2013 to create three limited-edition 000 models. This time, he designed three Dreadnoughts—the D-45 Brazilian, D-45 Madagascar, and Signature D-28.
And here are the amazing dreadnought Claptons, because, you know, more people want a Martin dreadnought than don’t, and people who bought the 000s in 2013 might just want a matched set. The D-28 has the specs of a D-28V and listed for $4,449.00. The D-45s were offered in Madagascar rosewood for $15,449.00 and the the one built with Brazilian rosewood from Chris Martin’s private stash listed for $74,999.
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1995 – 000-42EC
Inspired by the guitars Eric played during MTV Unplugged, this limited run of 461 guitars features 45-style snowflake inlays and sold out within hours at The NAMM Show, marking the start of a decades-long partnership.
I was able play a few of these when they first came out, during my frequent visits to the NYC guitar shops. I wish I could have taken one home. I still feel that the short-scale Modified V neck shape on the original EC models remains one of the most comfortable necks Martin ever produced. I think part of the secret was the 2-1/4″ string spacing, which 1/16″ narrower than the prewar 000s and 1/8″ wider than the standard 000s of the day. Here is the national treasure that is Dick Boak sharing some stories from his designing the original EC model. – omg
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1996 – 000-28EC
Designed as a simpler, more accessible version of his original signature model, Eric said the 000-28EC is “the best-sounding acoustic guitar I’ve EVER played.” It quickly became one of Martin’s best-selling guitars and remains a staple in the lineup to this day.
I thought it was very clever of Dick to take the look of a prewar herringbone 000-28 and give it the herringbone rosette of a prewar 000-21!. I was a huge fan of Vintage Style 21 which was normally seen on 12-fret standard Martins, until the 14-fret 000-21 came out in 1938. It had black and white ply purfling, so the only herringbone was in the rosette.
I was accidentally responsible for an internet rumor that the 000-28EC sounded stuffy or less toneful than other Martins, when I was quoted out of context re something something I posted on Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s forum circa 1998. I referred to one particular 000-28EC as sounding like it had a sweatshirt stuffed inside the sound hole. For years people posted in forums saying they heard that the 000-28EC sounded duller or deader than other rosewood Martins. But I was comparing that lone guitar to a second guitar of the exact same model, when the former had really old, dead strings, and the latter had much newer strings. The fact remains; Indian rosewood guitars with Sitka tops do not sound as good with old strings compared to those made with other species of spruce soundboards or mahogany guitars made with Sitka tops. It was not meant to be a slight against the EC model.
There is good reason this model remained in the catalog decades longer than original expected. Well multiple reasons. I was at this show, just up in the front balcony to his right, and it was immediately obvious it was his 000-28EC. – omg
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2002 – 000-28ECB
Introduced in a limited run of 500, this model features Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a Sitka spruce top, and elegant pearl and ivoroid accents—a beautifully crafted tribute to Eric’s enduring partnership with Martin.
Dig the pearl herringbone in the rosette!
Mandolin Brothers ordered their own customs in a short run, in an earlier year, but with Adirondack spruce 1/4″ bracing, and no Clapton signature or pearl rosette, of course. Still among the best guitars I ever played and I have looked to find them used all these many years, but never did see one for sale. Not a surprise, really. – omg
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2005 – 000-ECHF Bellezza Nera
This sleek, all-black model was designed in collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara and limited to 476 guitars. With elegant detailing and a striking gloss finish, it’s a bold evolution of Eric’s iconic signature guitars.
As all-black fingerprint magnets go, these are really gorgeous in person when the light hits the all that pearl and the ethereal rainbows start a-glinting in the gloam. And the Alpine spruce top adds that focused fundamental *ping* and its own ethereal spread across the harmonics. – omg
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2006 – 000-ECHF Bellezza Bianca
A striking follow-up to the Bellezza Nera, this Fujiwara collaboration features an all-white finish with maple back and sides. Its unique colorway and cream ivoroid binding create a bold look, making it a standout signature model.
Now, this a guitar that sounds even more beautiful than it looks! Maple topped with Engelmann spruce sings with angelic purity surrounded by pastel hues of subtle complexity, which increases as the soundboard seasons. I had the pleasure of hearing a gifted guitarist who came to Martinfest from Italy and sat up through his jet lag to play beautiful instrumental fingerstyle pieces on his Bellezza Nera at 3 AM local time, aka the White Clapton. – omg.
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000-42MEC
Released at the 2008 NAMM show and limited to 250 guitars, this model features a Carpathian spruce top, Madagascar rosewood back and sides, and abalone pearl inlays. Fully bound in grained ivoroid, it blends rich tone with elegant, detailed craftsmanship.
This preceded the Crossroads version by 5 or 6 years, depending on the completion date of the specific guitar. A very successful wood combination. I wish they had released more Carpathian spruce models. – omg
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2009 – 000-28MEC
This 28-style model features a Carpathian spruce top, Madagascar rosewood back and sides, and elegant herringbone trim. A total of 461 guitars were made available, making it a refined addition to Eric’s signature lineup.
These were “big in Japan.” And apparently in Korea. – omg
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2025 – 000-42 30th Anniversary and 000-ED 30th Anniversary
The Guatemalan rosewood/Adirondack spruce 000-42 and Indian rosewood/Sitka or Lutz spruce 000-EC feature an “Authentic 1939″ neck shape and a 1-11/16” nut width! – omg