Martin OOO 28E M Eric Clapton Signature Model Limited Edition As advertising manager for Martin; Dick Boak had Chris Martin's permission to contact Eric Clapton as Boak had been receiving so many calls regarding just what Clapton was playing on his incredibly popular Unplugged record. Eric Clapton has relied on Martin OOOs throughout acoustic career, resulting in huge increases in sales and interest from the 90s and onward. In 1995, Martin collaborated with Clapton and released the first of many signature models - the 000-42EC. Wildly popular and rather expensive, the impact of the 000-42EC resulted in a simpler and more affordable, yet equally as spectacular model. With Clapton's tremendous input, the 000-28 M was introduced to great acclaim in 2009. The 000-28 M fits the bill, and this particular one has opened up beautifully! This is number 431 of the 461 piece limited run Martin produced of this model in 2009. These guitars are highly coveted for the solid Carpathian Spruce used for the top and the solid Madagascar Rosewood that was used for the back and sides. These upgraded tone woods give this 000-size guitar a nicely balanced and rich tone with lots of projection and clarity, whether you play with a flat pick or fingerstyle. This guitar is hand signed by Eric Clapton - not the printed signature seen on the standard editions. It has the smaller "000" body size that Clapton prefers and that is particularly popular among fingerstyle and blues guitarists who like a clear and balanced sound together with the string flexibility that the shorter 24.9" scale length allows. It's top is Carpathian Spruce with a vintage toner finish: the back and sides are a goregeous set of Madagascar Rosewood with a gloss finish. The body is bound with grained ivoroid. A genuine ebony fingerboard features the pre-war Style 28 snowflake pattern in a blond pearl, and Eric Clapton's signature is inlaid in mother-of-pearl between the 19th and 20th frets. This 2009 is in excellent condition with one small crack on the back of the guitar near the waist on the treble side. This crack is very minimal and is stable as there is a brace behind. Only a few minor surface scratches and dents on the top and side which do not penetrate the finish. There are also some light scratches on the pickguard. Includes Martin Hardshell Case.Features :
Top Wood: Carpathian Spruce
Back Wood: Madagascar Rosewood
Scale: 24.9"
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Frets To Body: 14
CFM IV & Eric Clapton Pre-printed Signatures on Label
Setup High E: 2/32"
Setup Low E: 3/32"
Serial Number: 1637349
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Fretboard: Ebony
Bridge: Ebony Belly
Bracing: Standard X Scalloped
Headstock Shape: Solid
Headstock Overlay: Rosewood
Headstock Inlay: Martin Logo
Tuners: Waverly Nickel
Inlays: Diamonds & Squares w/ Signature at 20th Fret
Rosette: Style 45
Purfling: Herringbone
Body Binding: Grained Ivoroid
Backstrip: HD Zig-Zag
Pickguard: Tortoise Style
Nut Material: Bone
Saddle Material: Bone
Saddle Spacing: 2 1/4"
Bridge Pins: Bone w/ Black Dot
Neck Profile: Modified V
Pickup(s): Optional
Case: Original Hardshell Case Included
List price: $4,999.99