 Martin's MillionthMartinPosted 2004-01-02 In celebration of their 170th anniversary, the Martin Guitar Company will unveil their millionth instrument this January at the annual NAMM Show in Southern California. Musicians including the likes of Babyface, Sugar Ray, Dave Matthews, Beck, Shawn Colvin, Eric Clapton, Sting, Paul Simon and Mark Knopfler have all been honored with their own signature models for their dedication to Martin guitars.
The company has also honored MTV's "Unplugged" with two special edition guitars after the popular show created a resurgence in the acoustic sound. The millionth instrument from Martin, the oldest guitar maker in the world, took two years to hand craft. More than 2,000 pieces were hand-cut, clued, sanded and engraved. The guitar is decorated with intricate inlays of abalone, mother of pearl, sea snail, 18-karat gold, white gold and precious gems including diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and aquamarines that cover the back, fingerboards, headstock, rosette, pickguard and a special soundhole "rose." The priceless instrument is not for sale, but it can be viewed at the Martin Guitar museum at the company factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Plans are underway for a guitarist to unveil the millionth and perform on it publicly for the first and possibly only time. Stay tuned....
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