Martin Acoustic Guitars
Martin Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer based in Nazareth, Pa that was founded in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. It’s undoubtedly one of the oldest and most prestigious guitar makers in the world and were played by music’s first superstars like Jimmie Rodgers and Gene Autry. Decades later, Martins floored the crowd at Woodstock, then took center stage on MTV Unplugged, and can be heard on countless classic and contemporary songs across all genres of music. Artists like Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young, John Mayer, Seth Avett, and many others all played Martins, creating much of the soundtrack of the last century.
Kurt Cobain's "MTV Unplugged" 1959 Martin D-18E SN 166854 is the MOST EXPENSIVE GUITAR EVER SOLD, selling for $6,010,000!
History & Significance
In 1929, the popular bandleader Perry Bechtel placed a special order for a Martin guitar with steel strings and a longer, narrower neck. Based on this request, Martin's John Deichman, ended up inventing the first 14-fret flattop acoustic guitar designed from the ground up for steel strings, the Martin OM-28. which has become one of the most copied and recognizable guitar designs ever seen. Vintage OM-28 models are currently valued between $70,000-$100,000.
Once hailed as the “Stradivari of guitar collecting” by enthusiast Matt Swanson, the 1930 Martin OM-45 Deluxe stands as a testament to unparalleled artistry and scarcity. Featuring age-old wood and meticulous handcrafting by Martin for the Sherman Clay company, only 14 of these guitars were constructed with only 9 known to still exist. Based on recent listings and insurance valuations, a 1930 Martin OM-45 Deluxe in excellent, original condition could range from $500,000 to $1,000,000 or more, depending on provenance and market conditions.
The Martin OM-28 | Vintage Guitar® magazine
The History of Martin 45-Series Acoustic Guitars | GuitarPlayer
Artists & Notable Guitars
Kurt Cobain's "MTV Unplugged" 1959 Martin D-18E SN 166854 is the MOST EXPENSIVE GUITAR EVER SOLD, selling for $6,010,000! (Images #8 & #9)
- Used during the iconic November 1993 MTV Unplugged session and rumored to be the last guitar Cobain ever played
- No. 7 of only 302 made
- After Kurt’s passing, the guitar was owned by his daughter, Francis Bean – however, in 2018 the guitar ended up with Isaiah Silva, Francis’ ex-husband, as a part of the divorce settlement, and shortly after went to auction...
- Sold at Julien's auction in 6/19/20 to Peter Freedman (founder of Rode Microphones) and
Elvis's "Sun Sessions" 1942 Martin D-18 SN 80221 (Image #10) - Gotta Have Rock and Roll 8/1/20 $1,320,000
- Elvis's "Elvis" 1955 Martin D-28
- ~Mid 1955 Elvis replace his '42 D-18 with a 1955 D-28
- Marcus Van Story made a custom leather cover with "Elvis Pressley" emblazoned across the front, resulting in this guitar becoming known as "Elvis"
- Elvis used a D-28 in his final concert on June 26, 1977
David Gilmour's "Wish You Were Here" 1969 Martin D-35 SN/244869 (Image #11) – Christies 2019 $1,095,000 to Jim Irsay
Eric Clapton's "Crossroads" 1939 Martin 000-42 SN 244869 (Image #12) – Christies 2009 $791,500 to Jim Irsay
Bob Dylan's 1963 Martin D-28 SN 196405 - Heritage 2017 $396,500
Willie Nelson's “Trigger” 1969 Martin N-20 SN 242830 (Image #13)
Johnny Cash's 1956 C.F. Martin & Co. D-21
- Johnny Cash's "Man in Black" 1970's Martin D-42 - this guitar was used as the basis of the Martin D-42JC Johnny Cash Signature model, with #3 of 200 selling for $175,000
The Story of Kurt Cobain's Forgotten Martin Guitar | 1953 Martin D-18
- Currently resides in the Martin Museum in Nazareth, Pa
Modern Martin Guitars
Martin D-300 Acoustic Guitar MSRP $300,000 (not a misprint...)
- Limited to 30 units, this guitar celebrates the 3 millionth serialized Martin guitar
1997 Martin D-42JC Johnny Cash Limited Edition
- Limited to only 80 units, with Johnny Cash owning #1 and #3, they have been rumored to sell for as much as $175,000
- Martin D-35 Johnny Cash Acoustic Guitar MSRP $5299
2012 C.F. Martin & Co. 000-45EC Eric Clapton “Crossroads”
- Brazilian Rosewood Version: $49,999 - limited to 3-12
- Madagascar Rosewood Version: $12,999 - limited to 55 units
- Eric Clapton demonstrates the limited edition Martin Crossroads guitars
- Martin 000-42EC 30th Anniversary MSRP $10,999
Martin D-45 Modern Deluxe Acoustic Guitar MSRP $10,699
Martin Custom Shop 000-28 1937 Acoustic Guitar MSRP $5999-6999
Martin OM-28 Modern Deluxe Acoustic Guitar MSRP $4399
Martin OMJM John Mayer Acoustic-Electric Guitar MSRP $3999
Martin Little Martin Acoustic Guitars (see separate page "Little Martin Guitars")
Mach Five Guitar
The Mach Five Guitar is a Martin OM-28 that was handmade in 2019 by Steven Nadal on his 21st birthday. (Images #1, 2, 3, 4)
The guitar was built at The Martin Guitar Foundation Luthier Lab under the direction of Sean Brandle who was one of the original 12 luthiers to form the renowned Martin Guitar Custom Shop. Mastering the crafts of hand carving custom necks and hand fretting non-adjustable necks, Sean went on to become Martin Guitar’s Custom Design and Inlay Artisan for six years. During this time, Sean was the lead inlay artist who designed custom limited edition high-end guitars for Martin as well as designing and inlaying custom guitars for nationally known artists including John Mayer, Eric Clapton, John Oates, Ed Sheeran and Thomas Rhett.
Image Descriptions
- The Mach Five Guitar
- Steven Nadal in Martin Luthier Program website ad
- Steven Nadal's OM-28SRJ fabrication
- Steven Nadal's OM-28SRJ build sheet
- John Mayer's OM-28JM build sheet
- OM-28 overview highlighting John Mayer
- Vintage 1930 OM-28
- Kurt Cobain playing his 1959 D-18E
- Kurt Cobain's 1959 D-18E
- Elvis's "Sun Sessions" 1942 Martin D-18
- David Gilmour's "Wish You Were Here" 1969 Martin D-35
- Eric Clapton's "Crossroads" 1939 Martin 000-42
- Willie Nelson's “Trigger” 1969 Martin N-20
- Steven Nadal 1st acoustic ... not a Martin:)
- Steven Nadal 1st "Cuntar"