By: Staff
According to a press release, C. F. Martin & Co. is bringing exciting new instruments to the 2012 Winter NAMM convention in Anaheim, CA this January. The legendary acoustic guitar company is unveiling 15 innovative guitars and ukuleles that will bolster the brand’s already premiere line of stringed instruments.
Anyone visiting the Martin Guitar booth at NAMM (Booth 5454 Hall B) will have the chance to preview the new releases that include the following:
• DRS2 – The latest of Martin’s rugged, great sounding Road Series guitars, the brand new DRS2 delivers a unique blend of durability and beautiful sound and projection. Constructed with solid Sapele back and sides and Sitka spruce top, the DRS2 is a serious working musician’s guitar built with an extra rigid Stratabond neck to withstand the hard knocks of touring. A Fishman® Sonitone sound reinforcement system and a hardshell case completes this sturdy package. Manufacturer’s suggested price: $1099
Check out the new D-28M The Mamas and the Papas Custom Artist Edition!
• DCPA5 and the GPCPA5 – Martin is also introducing their most affordable Performing Artist models. Both the Dreadnought and Grand Performance cutaway include solid Sitka spruce top, koa patterned high pressure laminate (HPL) back and sides, Fishman F1 Analog electronics and a High Performance™ Neck. Manufacturer’s suggested price: $1099
• DCPA4 SIRIS and GPCPA4 SIRIS – With these two new beautiful Performing Artists guitars, Martin is introducing a striking new tonewood called Siris that adds even more tonal variety and color to the PA series. Both the Grand Performance and Dreadnought are 14-fret cutaway guitars, have comfortable Performing Artist profile necks, proprietary Hybrid “X” scalloped top bracing, Fishman F1 Analog onboard electronics and black Richlite fingerboards and bridges. Hardshell case is included. Manufacturer’s suggested price: $1849
• GPCPA4 Sapele – Martin’s continued commitment to responsible guitar building will be on display at this year’s show with the GPCPA4 Sapele. It features FSC® Certified Recycled Sitka Spruce taken from dismantled Canadian bridges, and it is finished with a polished gloss top. The GPCPA4 Sapele includes Fishman F1 Analog electronics and a hardshell case. Manufacturer’s suggested price: $1799
• DCPA1 Madagascar Rosewood and GPCPA1 Madagascar Rosewood – These two beautiful dovetail models continue Martin’s envelope pushing with solid Adirondack Spruce top, solid Madagascar Rosewood back and sides, pearl accents, Golden Era® bracing and Fishman F1 Aura + electronics featuring Easy Mode. The guitar is available in Dreadnought and Grand Performance sizes, each with a gray Geib style case. Manufacturer’s suggested price: $6499
• CS-D18-12 – Inspired by the 1929 Ditson 111 that resides in the C.F. Martin museum, this guitar is a 12 fret Dreadnought with a body constructed of mahogany that has been reclaimed from rivers in Belize. This wood is referred to as “sinker mahogany,” having sunk to the bottom of a river that was used to transport them over 100 years ago. Hot hide glue was used to construct these instruments, which also boast a T-bar trussrod, slotted headstock and Adirondack spruce top. New for 2012 is the Custom Shop Thin Finish package available for this guitar. This nitrocellulose finish is 40% thinner than the standard Martin Guitar finish. Martin is only producing 75 of these exquisite guitars worldwide in 2012. Manufacturer’s suggested price: $6499
• CS-D28-12 – The CS-D28-12 is a gorgeous 14 fret Dreadnought with beautiful Cocobolo back and sides, and Adirondack spruce top. Cocobolo is a dense, uncommon tonewood from Mexico that delivers beautiful bell-like tones. The custom model features two way trussrod, forward shifted and scalloped bracing along with herringbone trim. Also included on the CS-D28-12 and new for 2012 is the Custom Shop Thin Finish package. This nitrocellulose finish is 40% thinner than the standard C.F. Martin nitrocellulose finish. Only 125 of these instruments will be made for the world in 2012. Manufacturer’s suggested price: $6999, $7249 for sunburst
Also on display at NAMM will be the relatively new and expanded line of Martin SP® LIFESPAN™ acoustic strings. The expansion includes a new 12 String, Baritone and two Extra Light sets of strings that were just launched this fall. These new LIFESPAN strings are currently the fastest growing product in the acoustic string market. The SP core wire is specifically engineered to hold its tuning better and to resist breaking. Treated with Cleartone® proprietary technology, Martin SP LIFESPAN string sets bring players a longer string life without sacrificing the tone or natural feel for which Martin Strings have become known.
