Starting with the beginner class and the Dreadnought Junior with a $799.00 tag, lineup pricing takes on a very steep curve, peaking with mind-boggling $99,999.00 for the new king of the C.F. Martin catalog - OM-45 De Luxe Authentic 1930.
With a tradition almost two centuries long, C.F. Martin enters the 2015 with what could be considered the most exclusive lineup of the year-opening novelties ever seen. Kicking off at very humble and affordable $799 for the Dreadnought Junior of the newly formed Junior series, the ten guitar strong line ends with the ultra-exclusive OM-45 De Luxe Authentic 1930 whose price tag reads astronomical $99,999.00. Yes, just a dollar shy of one hundred thousand. In the range between $1,849.00 and 12,499.00, the remaining eight models are found. SS-GP42-15, SSC-OM35-15, D-41 Purple Martin Cocobolo, CEO-8, OM-28 Authentic 1931, CS-00041-15, D-35 Brazilian 50th Anniversary and 000-15M Burst are the names of the remaining eight.
Kicking off the review section of the article, we`ll take on the gorgeous Martin SS-GP42-15. A beautiful and masterfully built six-stringer from the Limited Edition series. Flamed koa, Madagascar rosewood and European spruce comprise the marvelous special stage body. Fishman`s Aura VT electronics, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and abalone decorations are also featured on this $10,999.00 expensive six-string. For a more in-depth review, head over to the SS-GP42-15 detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
Almost $7,000.00 cheaper but still on the exclusive side of the catalog, Martin SSC-OM35-15 combines subtle elegance with almost two centuries of guitar building tradition. This Canada-bound (available only in Canada) OM comes with a wild cherry/Adirondack spruce body, mahogany neck with a 14th fret dovetail joint, 20-fret ebony fingerboard and nickel-plated hardware. For a more in-depth review, head over to the SSC-OM35-15 detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
The first dread here in the review section is Martin D-41 Purple Martin Cocobolo, an exclusive flat-top with supremely elegant appearance and tone. With cocobolo/Adirondack spruce body, mahogany/ebony neck, sublime decorations over the bridge, fingerboard and pickguard and price tag of $12,499.00, this luxury dread can please virtually every flat-top player out there. For a more in-depth review, head over to the D-41 Purple Martin detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
With SJ-like appearance, Martin CEO-8 rocks the vintage jumbo contour and classic flat-top construction. D-Tar Wave-Length Multi-Source electronics are installed under the spruce hood, while the solid sycamore pieces make up the back and sides. Solid ebony bridge and fingerboard, stylish abalone inlays in contrast to the sunburst body and golden hardware more than justify the $6,999.00 price tag. For a more in-depth review, head over to the CEO-8 detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
Halfway down the line, Martin OM-28 Authentic 1931 takes the fifth spot. Due to use of the exclusive materials and the high-tech VTS process, this Marquis series` six-string features the $8,499.00 price tag. Standard 25-2/5” scale, all-solid construction and the genuine 1930s tone guarantee a lifetime of the finest golden-era sound. For a more in-depth review, head over to the OM-28 Authentic 1931 detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
With a price tag of $1,849.00, Martin 000-15M Burst is the second most affordable six-string in this article. As a member of the 15 series, it features all-solid mahogany body, mahogany neck, rosewood bridge, rosewood fingerboard and nickel-plated tuning machines. Tortoise pickguard, small dot inlays and Butterbean tuners grace this somewhat Spartan 000.For a more in-depth review, head over to the 000-15M Burst detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
By far the most exclusive and the most expensive guitar in our archives is the new Martin OM-45 De Luxe Authentic 1930. Its price tag reads unbelievable $99,999.00 with only eleven copies planned. Pre-CITES Brazilian rosewood and heavily aged spruce top (it`s aged through VTS to sound and behave like it was actually made in 1930s) display Martin`s complete mastery of the wood age manipulation, a feat more than well worth the (almost) six-figure price tag. For a more in-depth review, head over to the OM-45 De Luxe Authentic 1930 detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
Spot number eight is reserved for the gorgeous Martin CS-00041-15. Compact body construction and the heavy use of solid cocobolo and flamed koa guarantees a strong, lively tone with superior sustain and projection. Golden hardware, flamed koa binding and exclusive fingerboard inlays add even more beauty and grace to this majestic 000 six-string. For a more in-depth review, head over to the CS-00041-15 detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
The second of three dreads takes up the spot number nine. Martin D-35 Brazilian 50th Anniversary marks the half-century jubilee for the legendary Martin D-35. Madagascar rosewood, Brazilian rosewood, European spruce and ebony are combined to create a big, lush, spacious tone. Tone worthy of the legend whose name this full-sized dread bears with so much pride. Only 100 of these will be made and each comes with a price tag of $6,999.00. For a more in-depth review, head over to the D-35 Brazilian 50th Anniversary detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
Ending the review of an exclusive guitar lineup with a beginner model is more of an exception than a rule, but this time the $799 Martin Dreadnought Junior deserves to blow the final whistle. All-solid construction, Fishman`s excellent Sonitone pickup/preamp system, slightly smaller body proportions (15/16” of a regular dread), as well as the 24” scale offer the feel of a compact guitar with the tone of a full-sized dreadnought. Moreover, the quality of the tone propels the Junior light years ahead of its price class. For a more in-depth review, head over to the Dreadnought Junior detail page on our site or C.F. Martin official web page.
