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Six-string guitars

For many years, Martin has used a model-labeling system that consists of an initial letter or a number or series of zeros that specifies the body size and type (5 being the smallest and J being the largest - followed by a number that designates the guitar’s ornamentation and style, including the species of wood from which the guitar is constructed. Generally, the higher the number, the higher the level of ornamentation. Additional letters or numbers added to this basic system are used to designate special features (such as a built-in pickup or a cutaway).

Martin also periodically offers special models. Many of these have a limited production run, or begin as a limited-production guitar that sells well enough to become regularly produced. Many of these special models are designed with, endorsed by, and named after well-known guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Merle Haggard, Stephen Stills, Paul Simon, Arlo Guthrie, Johnny Cash, and many others. In 2002, Martin launched its “Women in Music” series with the Joan Baez Signature guitar, a replica of the 0-45 with which Baez began her career.

Classically-trained guitar virtuoso Dominic Frasca created a 10-string guitar by grafting the neck from an electric guitar onto a Martin Millennium acoustic guitar. He also added single string “mini capos” which form part of his trademark style and sound.

Roger McGuinn worked with C. F. Martin & Company to develop a seven-string folk guitar. McGuinn’s guitar, the D7, is tuned the same as a standard folk guitar with steel strings, but the third (G) string is augmented with a harmonic string one octave higher. The intention was to afford the six-string player the chance to play “jingly” twelve-string style lead guitar.

As of 2005, Martin offers over 180 different guitars. Some of the more notable models are:

* 000-1: Slightly smaller in all dimensions than a “Dreadnought” guitar (the “standard” acoustic guitar), solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back, laminated mahogany sides, tortoiseshell binding, rosewood fingerboard.
* 000-28EC [4]and 000-28ECB: Two of the five “Eric Clapton” models. Same size as the above guitar, constructed with higher-quality woods (especially the more expensive 000-28ECB constructed from the extremely rare Brazilian species of rosewood, hence the “B”), a different shape to the neck, and greater ornamentation around the edge of the body.

000-28EC in Geib-style hardshell case
000-28EC in Geib-style hardshell case
HD-28 Dreadnought in moulded case
HD-28 Dreadnought in moulded case

* The 000-28EC (bottom left photograph) is one of Martin’s most popular guitars; unlike the bigger dreadnoughts, the 000-28EC is nearer to the size of a Spanish guitar - a slimmer body and wider fretboard.
* D-1: Dreadnought version of the “000-1″.
* D-18: Dreadnought guitar, solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides.
* D-28: Dreadnought guitar, solid Sitka spruce top, solid East Indian rosewood (Brazilian rosewood before 1969) back and sides, ebony fingerboard, black and white binding and ornamentation with 5/16″ non-scalloped braces.
* The HD-28 (right photograph) replicates pre-1947 “‘bone” D-28s with herringbone purfling (then manufactured only in pre-war Germany) and scalloped braces. It is an extremely popular guitar with a full sound, good balance between bass and treble.’
* HD-35:Similar material and style to the HD-28, but has a distinctive 3 piece solid East Indian Rosewood back and 1/4″ scalloped braces.
* D-45: Similar to the “D-28″ with much greater and more complex ornamentation, including abalone and mother-of-pearlshell inlays. Also comes in a vintage version D-45V and a D-45 Koa made with solid highly flamed Koa.
* J-40: a “Jumbo” sized guitar, slightly larger than a Dreadnought but not as deep. Woods similar to the “D-28″ and ornamentation slightly less ornate that the 45 level.
* OM-28 - Similar to the 000-28 model in body size and ornamentation, except with a slightly longer scale. Also known as the “orchestra” model.
* OM-42PS - Paul Simon’s signature acoustic model, manufactured in the 1997 model year, is based on the OM-28, but with fancier ornamentation and alterations specifically requested by Paul Simon himself. From the original planned run of around five hundred, only two hundred and twenty three were made, making these a collector’s item. The OM-42 is the nearest in the current range.
* Backpacker: a very small guitar with a body shaped like an elongated triangle, designed to be very portable and inexpensive while still being constructed of quality woods.
* 16-Series: Style 16 guitars were first introduced in 1961. Later they were the first production Martins to utilize sustainable, native woods such as ash and walnut, as well as the first to implement hybrid A-frame “X” bracing. Today these models use solid woods such as mahogany, East Indian rosewood, koa, sapele and maple. Models include: DC-16RE Aura, OMC-16E Koa, D-16 GT and 000C-16RGTE Aura.
* 15 Series: Constructed of solid all mahogany woods, featuring herringbone rosette, matte finish and A-frame “X” bracing. Models include D-15 and OMC-15E. Also acoustic bass guitar BC-15E. John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers favors this series, himself owning two vintage O-15 acoustics. Used on solo albums (most notably on Curtains) and albums with the band (like the recent Stadium Arcadium), Frusciante’s O-15s can be seen in action during live performances of songs, including Venice Queen (most memorably at Slane Castle) and Desecration Smile (usually sitting on top of a special stand in a similar fashion to Slane Castle).
* Road Series: Designed for extra durability, constructed of laminated 3-ply mahogany sides and solid spruce top. Also features specially designed top braces, shaped back braces and beveled rear block. Models include the DM.
* X-Series: Back and sides constructed from compressed wood fibers (high-pressure laminate or “HPL”) and solid Sitka spruce or HPL top. Due to this construction these guitars are more environmentally friendly. Models include, DX1, DX1-R, DXM, DCX1E and 000CXE Black.