Guitar Journal: Martin OM Mikael Åkerfeldt
This week, we take a look at the new Martin OM Mikael Åkerfeldt signature acoustic, which is a limited-run model for the Opeth frontman. Sad news has been announced that legendary luthier Ken Parker is battling a rare form of cancer and has had to launch a GoFundMe page for his treatment. Finally, we look at the Aluminati Guitar Company’s new sustainable Floodcaster Series.
Guitar Journal
OM Mikael Åkerfeldt
Limited to just 74 guitars worldwide (Why 74? It’s Åkerfeldt’s 1974 birth year), this Martin OM Mikael Åkerfeldt is going to be hard to source, as so few are being made.
It features a Spruce top (with Martin’s Vintage Tone System, a type of torrefaction) matched with Golden Era scalloped Adirondack spruce X-bracing, and has Guatemalan rosewood sides, plus a 3-piece back with an East Indian rosewood wedge.
Roman numeral inlays
The details include a set of black mother-of-pearl Roman numeral inlays on an ebony fretboard and an ebony modern pyramid bridge with black Liquidmetal pins. They have also used European flamed maple for the binding, and it has a herringbone top inlay.
High End Acoustic
Martin describes the neck as a high-performance taper with a 25.4″ scale length, and it comes in a Harptone hardshell case with an embroidered shroud. All top-tier stuff, and the demo video above gives a good indication of what to expect.
It looks lovely, and the specifications are all top-notch. However, I’m not sure how many people would buy an “Opeth” acoustic guitar? I’m really not the target audience for this guitar, but I can appreciate all the work that went into making it.
Limited Run Pricing
I don’t usually associate Martin Guitars with modern metal, but this is exactly what this guitar is all about. Not cheap, and it has a fairly limited audience; however, I guess Opeth fans will buy them. It is a similar price to the Eric Clapton model I wrote about back in April, so I guess that this is the going rate for an artist-endorsed limited run in 2025.
MSRP – $6999
Ken Parker
Ken Parker is a luthier respected worldwide for his innovative designs and his unique approach to guitar construction.
He came to fame in the 1990s with his futuristic Parker Fly guitars, which used a carbon fibre exoskeleton over a tonewood core and had wafer-thin necks with glued-on frets.
The Parker Fly & Beyond
I owned a Parker Fly for many years (one of the original pre-refined Deluxe models), and it was a glorious guitar and was effortless to play. The fact that it had a built-in piezo made it a great tool for recording with as well.
Ken has been building acoustic guitars for many years now and has a huge following worldwide. I’m hoping that he can raise the money for his treatment, and I’ve shared the details of his GoFundMe page below.
Help Ken Battle Cancer
They are trying to reach $65k, and as of the time I am writing this, they are halfway there. I really do hope they can hit the target, as Mr Parker has given the guitar community so much over the years.
I’ve heard many stories firsthand from Parker guitar owners who have reached out to Ken over the years, and he has always been the kindest and most welcoming person to them.
In early 2023, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that has slowly been debilitating me. It hasn’t been easy living with this nasty disease, having chemo treatments that zapped my energy and slowly took away my ability to earn a living. Now, I’m on a breathing machine 24/7 and I’ve started to lose the use of my left arm. I humbly ask for your support to reduce the medical and personal debt that I’ve incurred and to help with my family’s expenses. – Ken Parker
If you can donate, even a little, the link is below.
Floodcaster Series
The Aluminati Guitar Company has just announced its new Floodcaster Series. These guitars are crafted from wood salvaged from the devastating Hurricane Helene floods in Asheville.
Each guitar features a precision-engineered aluminum neck paired with a unique piece of wood salvaged from the floods.
They are loaded with a set of Seymour Duncan Tele Quarter Pounders and use high-quality hardware, including Sperzel Locking Tuners, Jescar Jumbo Stainless Steel Frets, and a Gotoh Modern Tele Bridge.
Aluminati Guitar Company
This range of guitars is donating a portion of the proceeds from every Floodcaster. Making sure it goes directly to support local relief and rebuilding efforts through ReString Appalachia, Habitat for Humanity, and Beloved Asheville.
Reclaimed Spalted Maple
A great way to support a whole community, and each guitar is a one-off, so if you want a truly unique instrument, then these could be just what you are looking for. The reclaimed Spalted Maple bodies ensure each one has its own look, so no two are alike.
MSRP – $6999/£5285
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