 MARTIN | | ACOUSTIC: GUITAR OF THE MONTH/YEAR | Wherever possible, both pricing and the number of instruments made are provided in the individual listings. Where N/As appear, accurate secondary marketplace pricing cannot be provided, since these instruments do not trade sufficiently enough to list pricing.
The models listed below are in chronological sequence (the original year of manufacture appears after the model name).
As customer demand opened up for specified, limited edition models, Martin announced the Guitar of the Month program in October, 1984. This ambitious plan to offer an announced custom-built limited edition model every month was scaled back to four or five models per year. This program continued through 1994, when Martin switched to annual offerings of limited/special editions. Between 1984 and 1985, Guitar of the Month models had special paper labels signed by C.F. Martin III and C.F. Martin IV. Special/limited editions after 1986 are signed by C.F. Martin IV (unless otherwise listed below).
Some Guitar of the Month models are built in a "fixed," predetermined production amount, while others may be "open-ended" and are limited to the number sold (or ordered) through the calender year.
Prior to 1995, these Limited Edition models were labeled separately for domestic (U.S.) and foreign markets: a model may be #1 of 100 in the U.S., while the next model may be numbered #1 of 12 (overseas). Thus, the total production may be 112 for this model (and not the number given on the U.S. label). Separate foreign label editions are marked with a (*). In 1995, Martin began to issue one label worldwide.
Martin special editions are typically commemorative models which pay tribute to those Martin models which have been historically significant - these include the Golden Era Series, certified wood models, and other special editions. Special editions do not have a total quantity assigned to each variation, and are made as demand dictates. Limited editions are usually associated with a particular artist or event, and the quantity of each variation is usually determined at the time of release. In many cases, a portion of the sales go to charities of the artist's choice. Limited editions are usually made for a limited time and are available until the variation sells out. Sometimes, a sellout can occur in a few weeks (i.e., Jimmy Buffet Signature HD-18JB 1998), while other guitars may not sell out for years.
Whenever possible, the year a special/limited edition was introduced is listed after the model name in parentheses. In many cases, these instruments will continue to be listed on Martin's price sheets until they are sold out. On recently manufactured special and limited editions, unless the model is marked special edition in parentheses after the model name, you can assume that the model is a limited edition.
Guitar of the Month models are usually identified with a suffix. For example, a HD-28BLE (1990) is an HD-28 with Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Due to the limited production numbers (and fierce loyalty of Martin guitar owners), these specialty guitars trade only infrequently in the acoustic vintage market. Most models encountered are in Excellent to Mint condition (i.e. well cared for).
For readers new to Martin products, please note: Aging Toner finish, or a " Toned Top" model refers to the golden-toned lacquer that is shot on the top (soundboard) of the guitar. The following models are listed as to the features that differ from similarly designated stock models (for that year).
A special note from Martin: "As a general rule, Martin has produced two prototypes of each limited edition in order to develop model specifications and help determine production costs. Generally these prototypes are not for sale. However, due to factory space constrictions, many prototypes have already or eventually may be sold." When buying/selling/trading these rare Martin factory prototypes, it is recommended that you get as much original paperwork as possible to establish provenance, as well as documenting legal ownership.
The source material for Martin's Guitar of the Month series is courtesy of Dick Boak, Martin Guitar Company. Additional detailed information can be found in Jim Washburn and Richard Johnson's Martin Guitars: An Illustrated Celebration of America's Premier Guitarmaker, Rodale Books, 1997; or Walter Carter's The Martin Book: A Complete History of Martin Guitars, GPI Books, 1995).
Whenever possible, pricing (including original MSRs) and the number of instruments are listed for the following models, whether they are guitars of the month, special editions, or limited editions. N/As indiciate that the rarity factor and lack of activity in the secondary marketplace (especially those older models with high demand) preclude accurate pricing.
As a rule of thumb, many instruments listed in this section that are five years or older are typically worth at least 65%-75% value at the time of production, but there are exceptions (i.e. Eric Clapton, etc.). It is recommended that you follow this niche marketplace by studying dealer listings and the Internet and eBay for possible listings and current prices. Remember, even though some of these special models are relatively rare and now almost twenty years old, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are valued higher than a similar current production model with the same appointments and features. One exception is any model made with Brazilian rosewood, as values for this South American tone wood have skyrocketed in recent years. | | 00-18V (GOM, OCTOBER, 1984) | | - Grand Concert 00-style body, tortoise binding, ebony fingerboard, gold tuners, tortoise pickguard, ebony bridge, Natural finish with Aging Toner top, 25.4 in. scale, limited edition run of nine instruments, mfg. 1984 only. |
| 00-21LE (GOM, SEPTEMBER, 1987) | | - Grand Concert 14-fret 00-style body, scalloped bracing, herringbone rosette, tortoise binding, 14-fret ebony fingerboard, slotted headstock, three-per-side tuners with pearloid buttons, rectangular ebony bridge, black bridgepins with white dots, optional tortoise pickguard, Natural finish with Aging Toner top, 24.9 in.scale, limited edition run of 19 instruments (18 domestic, 1 foreign), mfg. 1987 only. |
| D3-18 (GOM, 1991) | | - dreadnought 14-fret-style body, three-piece back, white purfling, tortoise-bound ebony fingerboard with MOP diamonds and squares inlay, three-per-side chrome tuners with embossed "M" on buttons, diamond inlays on bridge ends, black bridgepins with white dots, tortoise pickguard, Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 80 instruments (72 domestic, 8 foreign), mfg. 1991 only. |
| D-18LE (1986-1987, LIMITED EDITION) | | - dreadnought-style body, quilted of flamed mahogany back and sides, scalloped bracing, tortoise binding, herringbone backstrip, V-shaped neck, ebony fingerboard, three-per-side gold tuners with ebony buttons, ebony bridge, black bridge pins with white dots, tortoiseshell pickguard, available in Natural finish, limited edition run of 30 instruments, 1986-87. |
| D-18MB (GOM, 1990) | | - dreadnought-style body, Engelmann spruce top (the underside of the top is signed by the foreman at the Martin factory), X-bracing, flamed maple binding/backstrip/peghead veneer, ebony tuner buttons, white bridgepins with red dots, Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 99 instruments (96 domestic, 3 foreign), mfg. 1990 only. |
| D-18 SPECIAL (D-18 GOM, 1989) | | - dreadnought-style body, scalloped braces, rosewood binding, low profile neck, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlay, three-per-side Grover tuners, tortoiseshell pickguard, black bridge pins with pearl dots, limited edition run of 28 instruments (15 domestic, 13 foreign), mfg. 1989 only. |
| D-18V (GOM, SEPTEMBER 1985) | | - dreadnought-style, tortoise binding, V-shaped neck, ebony fingerboard, ebony bridge, tortoiseshell pickguard, limited edition run of 56 instruments, mfg. 1985 only. |
| D-18 VINTAGE (1992) | | - dreadnought-style, scalloped braces, three-ring rosette (1/9/1 grouping), tortoise binding, V-shaped low profile neck, ebony fingerboard, logo stamped on back of headstock, three-per-side Grover tuners, ebony bridge with saddle slot, tortoiseshell pickguard, black bridge pins with white dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 218 instruments (215 domestic, 2 foreign), mfg. 1992 only. |
| D-21LE (GOM, NOVEMBER 1985) | | - dreadnought-style, Indian rosewood back and sides, herringbone rosette, tortoise binding, V-shaped neck, rosewood fingerboard, rosewood bridge, tortoiseshell pickguard under finish, limited edition run of 75 instruments, mfg. 1985 only. |
| D-28 1935 SPECIAL (GOM, 1993) | | - dreadnought-style based on 1935 specifications, Indian rosewood back and sides, scalloped bracing, ivoroid binding, zigzag back stripe, V-shaped neck, square tapered peghead with Brazilian rosewood veneer, bridge with a saddle slot through the middle, tortoise pickguard, available in Natural or Dark Sunburst finish, limited edition run of 237 instruments (217 domestic, 20 foreign), mfg. 1993 only. |
| D-28 CUSTOM (GOM, NOVEMBER, 1984) | | - dreadnought-style, Indian rosewood back and sides, scalloped braces, ebony fingerboard with snowflake inlays, unbound headstock with torch inlay and stamped logo on back, limited edition run of 43 instruments, mfg. 1984 only. |
| D-28LSH (GOM, 1991) | | - dreadnought style, Indian rosewood back and sides, large soundhole with two pearl soundhole rings, ivoroid binding, herringbone top inlay, 22-fret fingerboard with snowflake inlay, three-per-side gold tuners with ebony tuner buttons inlaid with snowflakes, snowflake inlay on bridge ends, tortoise pickguard, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 211 instruments (200 domestic, 11 foreign), mfg. 1991 only. |
| D-40BLE (GOM, 1990) | | - dreadnought-style body, Engelmann spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, X bracing, pearl rosette, white top binding, three-ply back binding, single black line side binding, pearl top inlay that does not go around the fingerboard, bound ebony fingerboard with snowflake inlay, two six-point snowflake inlay on bridge, bound headstock, three-per-side engraved gold tuners with "M" buttons, white bridge pins with pearl dots, tortoise pickguard, label signed by CFM IV and Mike Longworth, limited edition run of 58 instruments (50 domestic, 8 foreign), Mark Leaf hardshell case included, mfg. 1990 only. |
| D-41BLE (GOM, 1989) | | - dreadnought-style body, Engelmann spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, scalloped braces, low profile neck, pearl bound fingerboard with hexagon inlays, pearl bound headstock, three-per-side gold tuners with large ebony buttons, tortoise pickguard, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 39 instruments (31 domestic, 8 foreign), mfg. 1989 only. |
| D-42LE (GOM, 1988) | | - dreadnought-style body, scalloped bracing, white binding, low profile neck, small hexagonal fingerboard inlays, three-per-side gold tuners with large ebony buttons, tortoiseshell pickguard, limited edition run of 75 instruments (69 domestic, 6 foreign), mfg. 1988 only. |
| D-45 GENE AUTRY (GOM, 1994) | | - dreadnought-style body designed after Autry's 1933 D-45, scalloped bracing, neck joins at 12th fret, "Gene Autry" pearl script fingerboard inlay or snowflake inlays with 15th fret "Gene Autry" inlay, torch inlay on headstock, decal logo on back of headstock, three-per-side Waverly tuners, label signed by Gene Autry, limited edition run of 66 instruments (50 domestic, 16 foreign), mfg. 1994 only. |
| D-45KLE (GOM, 1991) | | - dreadnought-style body, Engelmann spruce top, flamed koa back and sides, ivoroid binding, snowflake fingerboard inlay, pearl bound Brazilian rosewood headstock overlay, tortoise pickguard, three-per-side gold tuners with embossed "M" on buttons, snowflake bridge inlays, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, Mark Leaf case included, limited edition run of 54 instruments (50 domestic, 4 foreign), mfg. 1991 only. |
| D-45LE (GOM, SEPTEMBER, 1987) | | - dreadnough-style body, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, pearl bound fingerboard with hexagon outline inlays, pearl bound headstock, hexagon outline at bridge ends, three-per-side gold tuners with ebony buttons, tortoiseshell pickguard, limited edition run of 50 instruments (44 domestic, 6 foreign), mfg. 1987 only. |
| D-45S DELUXE (GOM, 1992) | | - dreadnought-style body based on a 1937 D-45S (12-fret-style with a solid headstock), Brazilian rosewood back and sides, scalloped braces, ivoroid binding, neck joins body at 12th fret, pearl border on fingerboard, snowflake fingerboard inlay, solid headstock with pearl borders, three-per-side gold tuners with ebony buttons and pearl "M" inlay, snowflake inlay at bridge ends, tortoiseshell pickguard, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 60 instruments (50 domestic, 10 foreign), mfg. 1992 only. |
| D-45 DELUXE (GOM, 1993) | | - dreadnought-style body, bear claw figured spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, ivoroid binding, pearl-bordered fingerboard with highly figured pearl tree-of-life inlays, headstock pearl borders, three-per-side gold tuners with large gold buttons embossed with "M," bridge inlay, pickguard inlay, fossilized ivory bridge pins with pearl dots, black pickguard, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 60 instruments (50 domestic, 10 foreign), mfg. 1993 only. |
| D-62LE (GOM, OCTOBER, 1986) | | - dreadnought-style, flamed maple back and sides, tortoiseshell binding, snowflake fingerboard inlay, tortoiseshell pickguard, white bridge pins with tortoiseshell dots, label signed by CFM IV, limited edition run of 48 instruments (46 domestic, 2 foreign), mfg. 1986 only. |
| D-93 (GOM, 1993) | | - dreadnought-style body, mahogany back and sides, white binding, herringbone rosette, herringbone back stripe, bound ebony fingerboard with diamonds and squares inlay/"CFM" script inlay at third fret, bound Brazilian rosewood headstock overlay, three-per-side gold tuners with ebony buttons, diamond inlay at bridge ends, tortoiseshell pickguard, white bridge pins with red dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 165 instruments (148 domestic, 17 foreign), mfg. 1993 only. |
| HD-18LE (GOM, OCTOBER, 1987) | | - dreadnought-style body, scalloped bracing, tortoiseshell binding, herringbone top inlay, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlay, three-per-side tuners, with ebony tuner buttons, black bridge pins with white dots, tortoise pickguard, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 51 instruments (50 domestic, 1 foreign), mfg. 1987 only. |
| HD-28BLE (GOM, 1990) | | - dreadnought-style body, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, low profile neck, ivoroid binding, herringbone top inlay, herringbone rosette, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlay, ivoroid bound headstock, three-per-side chrome tuners, tortoiseshell pickguard, white bridge pins with red dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 108 instruments (100 domestic, 8 foreign), mfg. 1990 only. |
| HD-28BSE (1987) | | - dreadnought-style body, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, ivoroid binding, V-shaped neck, slotted diamond fingerboard inlays, three-per-side gold tuners with ebony buttons, tortoiseshell pickguard available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 93 instruments (88 domestic, 5 foreign), mfg. 1987 only. |
| HD-28 C.T.B. (GOM, 1992, CUSTOM TORTOISE BOUND) | | - dreadnought-style body, tortoise binding, herringbone back stripe, MOP diamonds and squares fingerboard inlay and 12th fret CFM script inlay, slotted headstock with torch pattern inlay, brand stamp on back of headstock, three-per-side gold tuners with embossed "M" on buttons, tortoiseshell pickguard, white bridge pins with red dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 97 instruments (89 domestic, 8 foreign), mfg. 1992 only. |
| HD-28C LSH (GOM, 1993) | | - single cutaway dreadnought-style body, scalloped bracing, large round soundhole, herringbone top inlay, rosewood headstock overlay, white bridgepins with red dots, tortoise pickguard, built-in pickup, available in Sunburst finish, limited edition, mfg. 1993 only. |
| HD-28GM GRAND MARQUIS (GOM, 1989) | | - dreadnought-style body, Indian rosewood back and sides, scalloped bracing, herringbone rosette, tortoiseshell binding, herringbone top inlay and backstripe, snowflake fingerboard inlays, vertical CF Martin logo on headstock and "Grand Marquis" decal on back of headstock, three-per-side gold tuners with embossed "M" on buttons, snowflake inlay on bridge ends, tortoise pickguard, black bridge pins with abalone dots, limited edition run of 120 instruments (112 domestic, 8 foreign), mfg. 1989 only. |
| HD-28GM LSH GRAND MARQUIS (GOM, 1994) | | - dreadnought-style body, large soundhole with two herringbone soundhole rings, tortoiseshell binding, herringbone top inlay, unbound ebony fingerboard with snowflake and 12th fret pearl "Grand Marquis" inlays, "CF Martin" pearl logo inlay on headstock, three-per-side gold tuners with embossed "M" on buttons, snowflake inlay on bridge, tortoise pickguard, available in Gloss Natural finish with Aging Toner or Shaded top (Sunburst), limited edition run of 151 instruments (106 domestic in Natural finish, 9 foreign in Natural finish, 36 domestic in Sunburst, and 6 foreign in Sunburst), mfg. 1994 only. |
| HD-28LE (GOM, DECEMBER, 1985) | | - dreadnought-style body, scalloped bracing, ivoroid binding, herringbone top purfling, V-shaped neck, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlay, square headstock, tortoise pickguard under finish, white bridgepins with red dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 87 instruments, mfg. 1985 only. |
| HD-28M (GOM, 1988) | | - dreadnought-style body, mahogany back and sides, scalloped bracing, herringbone top inlay, diamonds and squares inlay, gold tuners with large pearloid buttons, tortoise pickguard, white bridge pins with tortoiseshell dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 81 instruments (77 domestic, 4 foreign), mfg. 1988 only. |
| HD-28PSE (GOM, 1988) | | - dreadnought-style body, scalloped bracing, low-profile neck, squared off headstock, ivoroid binding, herringbone top purfling, snowflake fingerboard inlays, three-per-side chrome tuners with ebony tuner buttons, white bridge pins with tortoiseshell dots, tortoiseshell pickguard, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 96 instruments (93 domestic, 3 foreign), mfg. 1988 only. |
| HD-28SE (GOM, SEPTEMBER, 1986) | | - dreadnought-style body, ivoroid binding, herringbone top inlay, V-shaped neck, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlay, ebony tuner buttons, tortoiseshell pickguard under finish, available in Natural finish, limited edition run of 138 instruments (130 domestic, 8 foreign), mfg. 1986 only. |
| HJ-28 (GOM, 1992) | | - Jumbo-style, Indian rosewood back and sides, round soundhole with three ring rosette (5/9/5 grouping), ivoroid binding, herringbone top inlay, unbound ebony fingerboard with diamonds and squares inlay, three-per-side chrome tuners with embossed "M" on buttons, tortoiseshell pickguard, white bridge pins with red dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 69 instruments (56 domestic, 13 foreign), mfg. 1992 only. |
| HJ-28M (GOM, 1994) | | - jumbo-style body based on the specs of an HD-28, mahogany back and sides, ivoroid binding, herringbone top inlay, herringbone back stripe, striped Madagascar ebony fingerboard, three-per-side chrome tuners with large ebony buttons and pearl "M" inlay, striped Madagascar ebony bridge, tortoiseshell pickguard, white bridge pins with tortoise dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 72 instruments (60 domestic, 12 foreign), mfg. 1994 only. |
| HOM-35 (GOM, 1989) | | - Orchestra-style body, Brazilian rosewood sides, three-piece back, ivoroid binding top and back binding, herringbone top inlay, low-profile neck, 14/20-fret ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard with diamonds and squares inlays, Martin stamp on back of headstock, three-per-side gold tuners, tortoiseshell OM-style pickguard, white bridge pins with red dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, 25.4 in. scale, limited edition run of 60 instruments (96 domestic, 3 foreign), mfg. 1989 only. |
| J-21MC (GOM, 1986) | | - single cutaway jumbo body style, round soundhole with nine ring rosette, black binding, tortoiseshell pickguard, chrome tuners with ebony buttons, limited edition run of 56 instruments (55 domestic, 1 foreign), mfg. 1986 only. |
| J-40MBLE (GOM, NOVEMBER, 1987) | | - jumbo-style body, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, snowflake fingerboard inlay, gold tuners with large pearloid buttons, tortoise pickguard, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 17 instruments (16 domestic, 1 foreign), mfg. 1987 only. |
| J-45M CUSTOM DELUXE (GOM, DECEMBER, 1986) | | - jumbo-style body, Englemann or European spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, pearl rosette, tortoise binding, pearl bordering, zipper pattern back stripe, pearl bound ebony fingerboard with hexagonal inlays, three-per-side gold tuners with small ebony buttons, black bridge pins with pearl dots, pearl hexagon outline inlay on bridge tips, pearl-bound tortoise pickguard, limited edition run of 17 instruments (16 domestic, 1 foreign), mfg. 1986 only. |
| M-21 CUSTOM (GOM, DECEMBER, 1984) | | - Grand Auditorium 0000/M-style body, Indian rosewood back and sides, round soundhole with three-ring rosette (5/9/5 grouping), five-ply top binding with tortoise outer layer, single-ply back binding with tortoise outer layer, unbound rosewood fingerboard with slotted diamond inlays, tortoiseshell pickguard, black bridge pins with white dots, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 16 instruments, mfg. 1984 only. |
| M2C-28 (GOM, 1988) | | - double cutaway Grand Auditorium 0000/M-style body, single pearl ring rosette, zipper-pattern backstripe, three-per-side gold self-locking tuners with small ebony buttons, white bridge pins with pearl dots, optional pickguard, optional thinline pickup, limited edition run of 22 instruments (20 domestic, 2 foreign), mfg. 1988 only. |
| OM-28LE (GOM, OCTOBER, 1985) | | - Orchestra-style body, ivoroid binding, V-shaped neck, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlays, tortoiseshell pickguard under finish, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 41 instruments (39 domestic, 2 foreign), mfg. 1985 only. |
| OMC-28 (GOM, 1990) | | - single cutaway Orchestra-style body, scalloped bracing, oval soundhole, low profile neck, MOP "C.F. Martin" headstock inlay, three-per-side gold tuners with small pearloid buttons, white bridgepins with red dots, tortoiseshell pickguard, limited edition run of 76 instruments (74 domestic, 2 foreign), mfg. 1990 only. |
| OM-21 SPECIAL (GOM, 1991) | | - Orchestra-style body, herringbone rosette, tortoise binding, herringbone back stripe, striped Macassar ebony fingerboard with MOP diamonds and squares inlay, striped ebony bridge, tortoiseshell-bound headstock with MOP Martin logo inlay, three-per-side gold tuners with pearloid buttons, white bridgepins with red dots, OM-style tortoiseshell pickguard, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner top, limited edition run of 36 instruments (32 domestic, 4 foreign), mfg. 1991 only. |
| OM-28 PERRY BECHTEL (GOM, 1993) | | - Orchestra-style body, wood purfling rosette, ivoroid binding, herringbone top inlay, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlay, Brazilian rosewood headstock overlay, three-per-side chrome tuners with embossed "M" on buttons, pyramid bridge, tortoise pickguard, label signed by Mrs. Ina Bechtel, available in Natural finish with Aging Toner finish, limited edition run of 94 instruments (50 domestic, 16 foreign), mfg. 1993 only. |
| OM-40LE (GOM, 1994) | | - Orchestra-style body, Indian rosewood back and sides, double narrow pearl rosette, double pearl border on top, unbound ebony fingerboard with snowflake inlays, "CF Martin" pearl logo on headstock, three-per-side gold tuners with large ebony buttons and pearl four-point snowflake inlays, white bridge pins with pearl dots, available in Natural and Sunburst finish, limited edition run of 86 instruments (45 domestic and 12 foreign in Natural finish, and 20 domestic and 9 foreign in Sunburst finish), mfg. 1994 only. |
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