The legendary guitar manufacturer C.F. Martin & Co. is celebrating the two millionth guitar produced by the brand. This milestone product will be unveiled at Winter NAMM 2017 in Anaheim, CA from January 19-22, 2017.
To commemorate this remarkable milestone model, the leading guitar manufacturer has partnered with America’s premier watchmaker RGM Watch Co. another historic Pennsylvania-based company, to create a stunning one-of-a-kind model that will have a custom working RGM timepiece built into the headstock of the guitar.
Martin Guitar and RGM will also collaborate on the limited edition D-200 Deluxe. This collector’s model is limited to only 50 guitars and each model will feature a beautiful watch theme throughout the design, including the pickguard which has pearl inlays of watch gears. The guitar will also come with a custom RGM watch.
2 Millionth Guitar
The two millionth guitar will feature a D-45 style body, with the back and sides constructed from Brazilian rosewood. The top is crafted from highly-figured bearclaw Engelmann spruce. The intriguing aspect of the guitar is the use of a watch motif to mark the anniversary, replete with decorative gears, guilloché (a process of cutting geometric patterns into metal), decorative inlays and a working watch embedded within the headstock.
In order to bring this idea to life, Martin recruited the help of one of America’s most notable watchmakers, Roland G. Murphy of RGM. Chris Martin IV, Chairman and CEO of Martin Guitars, instantly saw the value in what RGM brought to the table.
D-200 Deluxe
After 184 years, and in celebration of the two-millionth serial number milestone, C. F. Martin & Co. is introducing the D-200 Deluxe. In collaboration with renowned watchmaker Roland G. Murphy (RGM), this unprecedented instrument is symbolic of the passage of time with a unique watch theme displayed throughout the many highly decorative aspects of the model. A classic 14-fret Style 45 Dreadnought is the basis for this work of art.
The top is crafted from highly-figured bearclaw Engelmann spruce that features an aluminum rosette with guilloché engraving – a refined process of cutting geometric patterns into metal that also appears on the stainless steel tuning machine buttons of the edition.
The guitar’s back of rare pre-CITES Brazilian rosewood, is inlaid with spectacular watch gears cut from reconstituted stone, mother-of-pearl, bloodwood, Hawaiian koa and ebony. The equally spectacular soundboard inlays feature a minute track in mother-of-pearl, birdseye maple, flamed Hawaiian koa and ebony, and a pickguard with pearl inlaid watch gears. Yet another unique decorative detail is the triple-strand abalone pearl striping that bisects the length of each side, referencing the early Spanish-inspired instruments of C. F. Martin Sr.
The maple bound ebony fingerboard showcases watch gear mechanisms with the highest level of delicate inlay art. Each guitar is furnished with a newly-designed wearable edition watch from RGM that references details from the D-200 guitar design and bears a matching serial number with each edition instrument.
Lastly, each guitar comes in a premium aluminum Zero Manufacturing attaché case with a built-in hygrometer that allows the interior environment of the case to be seen without the need to open the case. Limited to no more than 50 highly-collectable pristine guitars, this instrument will be played and prized until the end of time. (MSRP: $149,999)
About Martin Guitar & Strings
C.F. Martin & Co. ® has been creating the finest instruments in the world for 184 years. It continues to innovate, introducing techniques and features that have become industry standards, including X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the “Dreadnought” size. One of the world’s leading acoustic instrument makers, Martin guitars are hand-made by skilled craftsmen and women, who use a combination of new design and techniques, along with those introduced by the company founder.
The company is also known for producing high-quality, popular acoustic guitar strings and they have been making their own strings since 1970. These include the successful Martin SP® Lifespan®, the fastest-growing long-life string in the industry, the exciting new Retro Strings line played and loved by Tony Rice and Laurence Juber and the Martin SP Acoustic and SP Flexible Core lines, which use an industry leading core wire to hold tunings better.
Martin guitars and Martin strings are the instruments and strings of choice for musicians around the world, from the icons of rock, pop, country, folk and bluegrass to those just beginning their careers. They can be seen across all segments of pop culture, from television to movies, Broadway, books, online, and gracing the covers of popular magazines on newsstands everywhere.
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