Martin Pays Tribute to Mike Longworth with Commemorative D-45 Guitar

Martin

Posted 2005-02-12

Nazareth, PA - Mike Longworth was a renaissance man in the truest sense of the word. During nearly 30 years at C.F. Martin & Co., he helped resurrect the legendary D-45, designed the popular D-41, answered thousands of letters from Martin owners and wrote the first reference book on Martin guitars. A revered member of the C.F. Martin & Co. family, he retired in 1995. His was a full life, but, sadly, not one full of years: he died in 2003 at the much-too-young age of 64. In tribute to his many contributions, Martin takes pride in presenting the D-45 Mike Longworth Commemorative Edition.

With Mike’s accomplishments and personal preferences in mind, Martin has created a special D-45 Commemorative Edition. A classic Dreadnought, the D-45 Mike Longworth Commemorative Edition features solid premium tonewoods. Back and sides of East Indian rosewood are matched to a top of Martin’s finest Adirondack spruce, revered for exceptional tone.

The polished East Indian rosewood headplate provides a spectacular canvas for the familiar “C.F. Martin & Co.” script logo in mother of pearl, below which is nestled the classic Martin torch from the 1930s in abalone pearl. The lavish use of abalone pearl continues on the fingerboard with Golden Era snowflake inlays. Mike Longworth’s legendary “L” inlay, a tradition he carried over from his previous custom work, is positioned between the 19th and 20th frets. Respecting Mike’s strong belief that acoustic meant acoustic, his commemorative instrument is not available with electronic sound reinforcement.

Production of the D-45 Mike Longworth Commemorative Edition guitars is limited to 91 instruments, the number of original D-45s produced by Martin between 1933 and 1942. Each instrument will bear an interior label personally signed by wife Sue Longworth and Martin Chairman C.F. Martin IV, and numbered in sequence with the edition total. A second interior label will feature a photograph of Mike Longworth. Each guitar will be delivered in a Geib™ vintage style hardshell case.

In addition to the Longworth Commemorative Edition, C.F. Martin & Co. is expanding its line of limited, special and standard edition models.

The Limited Edition D-45 Figured Koa (Show Special)
Martin’s top of the line Style 45
Dreadnought is crafted with rare uniquely figured Hawaiian koa. This Anaheim NAMM Show Special guitar will be limited to just 25 instruments and dealers may only place orders in person during the show.

New "GT" Gloss Top 16 Models:
DC16RGTE Aura and OOOC16RGTE Aura
Both models feature satin finished East Indian rosewood back and sides, a polished gloss spruce soundboard and come equipped with Fishman’s highly acclaimed onboard “Aura” Sound Reinforcement system.

New Gloss "16" Models with Fishman AURA:
DC16RE Aura and OMC16RE Aura
Both models are affordably priced guitars crafted with East Indian rosewood back and sides and a spruce soundboard The guitars feature Fishman’s highly acclaimed onboard “Aura” Sound Reinforcement system.

New Gloss “16” models with Fishman ELLIPSE:
OMC-16E Koa Ellipse and OMC-16E Maple Ellipse
The OMC-16E Koa Ellipse is an affordably priced ”OM” Orchestra cutaway with Hawaiian koa back and sides and a spruce soundboard. The OMC-16E Maple Ellipse is an affordably priced ”OM” Orchestra cutaway with maple back and sides and a spruce soundboard. * Both guitars are highlighted by Fishman’s innovative onboard “Ellipse Blend” Sound Reinforcement system that blends the pickup and microphone signals through non-invasive controls located inside the lip of the soundhole.

OM-45 Marquis Series and OM-28 Marquis Series
Martin’s exquisite Style 45 “OM” Orchestra Model and Martin’s legendary Style 28 “OM” Orchestra Model are re-created and crafted with pre-war “Golden Era®” specifications and tonewoods including Adirondack spruce for the sound board. The exception being, Brazilian rosewood tonewoods have been replaced with East Indian rosewood.

OM-42K Koa
Martin’s elegant Style 42 “OM” Orchestra Model is crafted with Hawaiian flamed koa back and sides and a Sitka spruce top.

The OM-41 Special
Martin’s elegant Style 41 “OM” Orchestra Model is enhanced with vintage style appointments such as snowflake fingerboard inlays, ivoroid bindings and butterbean tuners. The guitar is crafted with East Indian rosewood back and sides and a Sitka spruce top.

Following an initial ordering period for all signature models, Martin will post the names of participating Martin dealers on the Martin web site, www.martinguitar.com.

Martin Pays Tribute to Mike Longworth with Commemorative D-45 Guitar

Martin

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