New Model Offerings from Martin Stream with Innovation & Tradition
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| 00-16DBFM |
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| Cowboy X |
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| 000X1 |
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| SWOM-GT |
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| CEO-4 |
July 27, 2000The popularity and growth of Martin guitars has been fueled in part by the constant stream of new product
offerings over the past several years. The demands of guitarists are ever changing, so it’s especially important to
stay innovative and fresh while still preserving Martin’s tradition and heritage.
New additions to the X Series line of guitars include three models with solid spruce soundboards and high pressure
laminate "mahogany motif" back and sides: the small bodied 000X1 Auditorium model, the D12X1 12-string
Dreadnought, and the Dreadnought cutaway DCX1E which includes an installed Fishman(R) Classic 4 Sonicore
sound reinforcement system. All three of these new models feature the use of black Micarta(R) for the fingerboard
and bridge.
One new offering in the affordable Road Series is the 00M. This simply appointed small bodied Grand Concert
model features a solid spruce top with laminated mahogany back and sides.
The 15 Series solid mahogany models have been extremely well received by guitar players worldwide. The new
OM-15 Orchestra Model combines Martin’s 25.4" long scale with the 14-fret 000 body shape and a wider 1 3/4"
neck. Fingerstyle players will love this guitar for its warmth of tone and its price.
As a general trend, there is increasing demand for Martin cutaways with onboard electronics and slider controls.
The JC-15E addresses this need by combining Fishman(R) Classic 4 Sonicore electronics with Martin’s Jumbo body
and full access Venetian (rounded) cutaway.
The all-solid wood 16 Series models have been effective in bridging the gap between Martin’s new technology and
the more traditional construction methods. New advances in finishing have enabled the introduction of several
gloss top or "GT" models. The OM-16GT gloss top offers the Orchestra Model 1 3/4" neck width with back and
sides crafted from solid genuine mahogany. The 000-16SGT, also crafted with solid genuine mahogany back and
sides, is a 000 12-fret model with a slotted headstock. This traditional model is thought by many to produce the
richest and most balanced tone of any Martin body size.
The D-16RGT gloss top offers the tonal warmth of East Indian rosewood with the volume and projection of the
14-fret Dreadnought body.
Inspired by the Style 17 guitars of the post Depression era, Martin is introducing two new models with solid
genuine mahogany top, back, sides and neck. The full-bodied D-17 Dread-nought and the smaller bodied 14-fret
00-17 both feature polished gloss lacquered bodies, tortoise colored bindings, plus ebony fingerboards and
bridges.
To suit the desires of fingerstyle guitarists, a special effort has been made to fortify the wider neck OM "Orchestra
Model" models that are perfect for delicate fingering styles. One such guitar, the SWOM SmartWoodCM Certified
Wood Model is the OM version of the popular SWD Dreadnought first introduced in 1998. SmartWoodCM Certified
cherry is utilized for the neck, back and sides of both models which have recently been upgraded to include a
polished gloss soundboard. These models now carry the gloss top suffix designations SWOM-GT and SWD-GT.
The demand for the more traditional dovetailed Standard, Vintage Series, and Golden Era(R) Martin guitars is
stronger than it has ever been. The newest addition to the Standard Series line is the D-42K. Highly flamed
Hawaiian koa, prized for its beauty and tone, has been selected for the back and sides of this premium
Dreadnought. All other D-42K appointments match the standard D-42 model.
Martin’s Golden Era(R) guitars draw their inspiration from the vintage Martin instruments made prior to World War II.
During that pre-war era, Martin’s unique, almost magical blend of well chosen materials, optimized design, and
hand-crafted construction created what many collectors and guitar experts believe to be the finest acoustic
stringed instruments ever made.
Two new top-of-the-line Golden Era(R) models are being offered. The OM-45GE is a close replica of the rare OM-45
Brazilian rosewood guitars made between 1930 and 1933. Only 40 of these special guitars were originally
produced, and when (if ever) they appear on the vintage instrument market, they are considered priceless.
Similarly, the D-45GE Golden Era(R) recreates the highly prized Brazilian rosewood D-45 Dreadnoughts of the
pre-WWII years. Only 91 of these rare models were originally produced making the D-45 one of the most sought
after instruments in the history of the guitar.
Four new Limited Edition Artist Signature Models are discussed in greater detail elsewhere at this site. Read about
the George Jones D-41GJ, the Gordon Lightfoot D-18GL and the Steve Miller 00-37K SM (spruce top) and 00-37K2
SM (koa top) models.
The Cowboy X model, limited to no more than 250 guitars, takes advantage of cutting edge HPL photo laminating
technology to reproduce Robert Armstrong’s vivid cowboy campfire scene. The back and sides are cut from
"Dreamy Illusion" HPL material to complement the color of the top. The neck is shaped from Stratabond(R), a resin
impregnated wood laminate with remarkable strength, and the fingerboard and bridge are crafted from black
Micarta(R).
In addition to the artist signature editions, Martin has introduced several Special Edition models with open
quantities during a finite ordering period.
The CEO-4 is the fourth in a series of special "CEO’s Choice" instruments designed by C. F. Martin IV. The CEO-4,
with its dark sunburst top, pays homage to a classic guitar design which blends the original slope-shouldered
12-fret Dreadnought shape with the more practical 14-fret neck. Environmentally sound design features include a
Micarta(R) fingerboard and bridge plus "Violet Chrome" tuners which minimize toxic plating chemicals.
The 00-16DBFM Deep Bodied Figured Maple model is the fifth guitar designed by Martin’s successful Women and
Music Task Team. In addition to the rich tone and ergonomic comfort of this body design, the 00-16DBFM features
beautifully flamed maple back and sides, a solid Sitka spruce soundboard, the Women and Music mosaic rosette,
natural mahogany top and back bindings, black ebony fingerboard and bridge, a V-matched maple neck, and the
now familiar slotted headstock. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each 00-16DBFM will be donated in
support of victims of domestic violence. For more information, visit their web site at www.mguitar.com. | 
