Martin Guitar to Debut New Authentics, a New Take on the StreetMaster Finish, and a New Road Series Model at NAMM
Nazareth, PA, (NAMM, HALL D, Booth 5602) - May 31, 2022 —C. F. Martin & Co. (Martin Guitar) announces the release of four new models: D-18 Authentic 1937, D-28 Authentic 1937, 000-16 StreetMaster®, and the GPC-13E Burst. These new instruments are excellent examples of the company’s superior finishing techniques and ability to recreate the look and tone of historic guitars. All of the new models will be on display at the Martin Guitar booth at NAMM.
About the Models:
D-18 Authentic 1937
1937 was an excellent year for guitars with a perfect storm of craftsmanship, innovation, and materials. This Authentic Series replication of a 1937 D-18 stays true to the original with hide glue construction and historically accurate detailing. This guitar features genuine mahogany back and sides, an Adirondack spruce top, and a bracing pattern circa 1937. It includes period-correct "18-style” appointments, an Authentic neck barrel and heel, and new this year, a more accurate body profile based on dreadnought shapes from the early Golden Era of Martin’s history. Martin’s VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® (VTS) is employed to age the top and braces, which captures the tone from the 1930s era. All this adds up to a new instrument that delivers the pleasing aesthetics and tone that were previously only found in vintage instruments. List price: $6,299.
D-28 Authentic 1937
Perhaps the most revered vintage D-28s are the ones created in 1937 with a forward-shifted hand-scalloped X-bracing, an Adirondack spruce top, and a 1 3/4" neck width. This model is an updated version made with Guatemalan rosewood back and sides, and some subtle spec refinements to make it even more faithful to the original. One of the major updates is a more accurate body profile based on dreadnoughts from the 1930s and 40s. Martin’s VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® (VTS) is employed to age the top and braces, which captures the tone from the 1930s era. All this adds up to a new instrument that delivers the pleasing aesthetics and tone that were previously only found in vintage instruments. List price: $7,499.
000-16 StreetMaster
Martin's popular StreetMaster® finish was introduced on the solid mahogany 15 Series in 2017 as a respectful nod to the working musician. Now Martin has applied this beautifully distressed finish to East Indian rosewood and Adirondack spruce for the first time, and it is a fine addition to their 16 Series. The Adirondack spruce top also includes Martin’s proprietary VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® (VTS), which ages the wood for a truly vintage tone that you’d normally have to wait many decades to enjoy. If you love the look of the StreetMaster finish but want the bigger and bassier sound you get from highly coveted East Indian rosewood and Adirondack spruce, this guitar was made for you. Whether your next gig is at the historic Ryman Auditorium or a day of busking in the big city, the StreetMaster gives you the look and feel of a well-worn instrument, with a limited lifetime warranty and the superb playability of a new guitar. This model comes with a soft-shell case, making it easy to take it to the streets! List price: $1,999.
GPC-13E Burst
This full-gloss Grand Performance cutaway model includes a burst-finished Sitka spruce top and stunning ziricote fine veneer back and sides. It is a great-looking and great-sounding guitar at an affordable price. It comes equipped with a Fishman® MX-T electronics package that includes a built-in soundhole tuner that auto mutes the audio output so you can tune up any time without using a pedal. This guitar comes with a premium soft-shell case, so it is road-ready to join you on all of your adventures! List price: $1,549.
About Martin Guitars and Strings:
C.F. Martin & Co.® has been Inspiring Musicians Worldwide® for nearly two centuries with their superior guitar and string products. Martin guitars and strings remain the choice for musicians around the world for their unrivaled quality, craftsmanship, and tone. Throughout the company’s long history, Martin products can be seen and heard across all genres of music and in all segments of pop culture, from concert and theater stages to television and movies.
With an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices, Martin continually drives the acoustic guitar market forward, introducing innovative features that have become standards across the industry. These groundbreaking innovations include the introduction of X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar, and the “Dreadnought” size guitar.
Martin has also led innovations in strings, such as introducing the first high-tensile strength steel-string core wire; the first nickel acoustic strings (Martin Retro®); the proprietary Titanium Core strings; and now the groundbreaking, new Authentic Acoustic line, which offers unmatched stability, tone, comfort, and longevity. Learn more here: www.martinguitar.com/aa.
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