Martin Unveils New Models at Summer NAMM

SP00-16RST "Stauffer"

August 24, 1999 -- Martin has been very busy preparing for Summer NAMM with the announcement of 16 new models. Two of these, the DM3MD Dave Matthews Signature Model and the 000-18WG Woody Guthrie Commemorative Guitar, are already covered in more detail. Here's an overview of the other models announced.

Road Series

In response to the strong demand for Martin cutaways with onboard electronics capability, two new models are being added to Martin's affordable "Road Series."

The small bodied 000CME cutaway and the full sized Dreadnought DCRE are both equipped with Fishman's® under-the-saddle coaxial pickup and System One onboard active electronics with slider controlled EQ.

16 Series Special "SP" Models

"16 Series" instruments continue to offer an exceptional blend of enhanced features at very attractive prices.

Three new "SP" models include the SPD-16E mahogany Dreadnought with active Martin/Fishman Pro +Prefix onboard electronics and slider controlled EQ.

The SPD12-16R is a powerful 12-string model with the tonal warmth that solid East Indian rosewood back & sides provide.

The SP00-16RST is a Stauffer-styled model that evolved out of the well-received 1997 Stauffer Limited Edition guitars that commemorated the 200th Anniversary of C. F. Martin Sr.'s birthday. The unique headstock shape with all the tuning gears on the bass side is a feature that was later borrowed by Leo Fender when he designed his first electric guitars. This is the first Stauffer to be included in Martin's stock list of instruments during this century.

This Stauffer model has somewhat modernized tuners, in fact much better than the type used in the 1800s. The body is a 00 size with a 12-fret neck and East Indian rosewood back and sides. All in all, a wonderful tribute to Martin's Stauffer legacy, and in an attractive price range!

15 Series Mahogany Tops

Two additions to the "15 Series" include the J-15 Jumbo and the BC-15E cutaway acoustic bass. Both models have a satin finish and offer all solid mahogany top, back, sides, and neck.

The BC-15E features a full access rounded "Venetian" cutaway and is offered with the Gold+Plus Natural active pickup system installed as standard equipment.

The J-15 offers "15 Series" features with the Jumbo body size, which combines the 0000 shape with a full Dreadnought depth.

16 Series Gloss Tops

Two new affordably priced gloss top "16 Series" models with active electronics and onboard EQ have also been added to the line.

The DC-16GTE (not shown) is a 14-fret Dreadnought with a rounded "Venetian" cutaway, polished gloss top, and satin lacquered solid genuine mahogany back, sides, and neck. The visual appointments on the Gloss Top (GT) 16 models feature a fine pattern herringbone wooden rosette and black Boltaron® top and back bindings. The recently developed Fishman® "Classic IV" electronics are standard equipment on this model, making it player ready for stage or studio use.

The 000C-16GTE gloss top matches the specifications of the DC-16GTE except for its smaller-bodied 000 "Auditorium" size.

The "Concept II" Stage Guitar

The Concept II

The Concept II is the second in a series of special guitars created with features that make them ideal for use on stage.

A specially formulated finish creates an opalescent effect that changes from magenta to gold when the guitar is held at different angles. This yields a very dramatic effect. The edges of the instrument are "contiguous." In other words, the squared edges of the body that are normally trimmed with binding are instead "bullnosed" (or rounded) so that the finish is uninterrupted as it moves from the top to the sides and back.

The Concept II guitars will be offered with two different installed electronics configurations: the Martin Gold+Plus® active pickup system, or the Prefix Pro® active system with onboard slider controlled EQ.

When combined with a cutaway for full access to the upper registers, plus a sleek neck with a full 12'' radius, the result is an instrument with the flash, sound, playability, and the sophisticated electronics necessary to achieve an optimum stage guitar.

The Golden Era D-18GE

The D-18 is really coming into its own. This past decade has seen D-18 vintage prices skyrocket. Why do seemingly plain mahogany instruments bringing such high prices? It is simply because of their distinctive and powerful sound which has been described with adjectives such as airy, clear, punchy, brilliant, crisp, bright, and glassine. Even with words like these, it is still impossible to describe the wonderful tone of an old D-18 without actually holding one in your hands.

This particular Golden Era® D-18 recreation instrument draws its inspiration from the D-18 models made circa 1934. Adirondack red spruce has been selected for the soundboard as well as the interior bracing.

Genuine ebony is selected for the fingerboard and long saddle bridge. Linen side re-inforcement strips, which in the past were hide-glued in place to protect the sides from cracking, have been faithfully utilized on this model.

During that pre-war era, Martin's unique, almost magical blend of well chosen materials, optimized design, and hand-crafted construction created what many collectors and guitar experts believe to be the finest acoustic stringed instruments ever made.

Backpacker Mandolin

The Backpacker Mandolin

With nearly 100,000 instruments sold since their introduction, the Backpacker® guitar has established itself as a best selling travel/practice guitar in the music field.

Its design is simple and efficient to make, and while the Backpacker® makes no claim of being louder than a full sized guitar, the tone is certainly impressive for its size. Of course the cost of a Backpacker is within everyone's reach!

So along comes the Backpacker® mandolin with a scale length comparable to a standard bluegrass mandolin. The first thing that will strike you about this instrument is that it sounds and feels like a "real" mandolin. Designed with F-holes and slight "shoulders" where the fingerboard meets the body, this is a very serious mandolin with a great sound!

For more information, visit Martin at http://www.mguitar.com/