Martin 1955 CFM: Limited Edition 000-18s and D-18s to Mark Chris Martin’s 70th Birthday
Travel back to folk music's heyday!
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Martin 1955 CFM: Limited Editions 000-18s and D-18s to Mark Chris Martin's 70th Birthday · Source: Martin Guitars
The finest of the finest for Chris’ birthday! With these two limited edition models of the Martin 1955 CFM series, the traditional acoustic guitar maker congratulates the chairman of the board (and NOT the singer from Coldplay!) Chris Martin IV. Both models, the D-18 Dreadnought and 000-18, are based on guitars from the heyday of folk music in the 1950s. Happy birthday, Chris!
Martin 1955 CFM: D-18 with Top Made from Reclaimed Spruce
The Dreadnought model is based on a D-18 with the serial number 144636. This guitar, produced in 1955, was part of the Skip Maggiora Collection. This collection, owned by legendary Californian guitar dealer Arthur “Skip” Maggiora, who passed away in 2024, comprised 150 absolute rarities from the world of guitars. After his death, it was auctioned off for a good cause.
The Martin 1955 CFM D-18 features a novelty in Martin’s history: the top is made of reclaimed spruce. Martin uses wood from old trees that were salvaged around Prince of Wales in Alaska, including historic crane ramps and dismantled wooden bridges.
The back and sides of the D-18 are made of solid mahogany, the neck is made of selected hardwood from deciduous trees, and the fingerboard is made of rosewood. The bridge is also made from this type of wood. A 25.4-inch scale, 20 frets, 1955 style dot inlays, and Kluson nickel vintage waffleback tuners round out this special edition. The Martin 1955 CFM D-18 costs $6,099.00 / £5,444.00 / 6,249.00€ at Thomann*. A version for left-handed players* is also available for the same price.
000-18-Modell: Inspired by 1955
The Martin 1955 CFM 000-18 also dates back to Chris’ birth year, 1955. It is based on a 000-18 from that year, purchased by Martin Guitars at a recent auction. This model, with the serial number 145102, was part of the Guitar Shop Collection from Heritage Auctions.
Compared to the massive Dreadnought, the 000 Auditorium is slightly smaller and the body is slightly more curved. You can comfortably lie back in your armchair by the fireplace without contorting yourself. In terms of wood, this model is similar to the D-18: reused spruce for the top, mahogany for the back and sides, rosewood for the fingerboard and bridge, and selected hardwood for the neck.
A smaller model means a shorter scale length: at 24.9 inches, this is the case with the Martin 1955 CFM 000-18 model. Both guitars, the D-18 and 000-18, come with a faux tortoise pickguard and are factory-fitted with Martin Guitar MA540T strings. The 000-18 also costs $6,099.00 / £5,444.00 / 6,249.00€ at Thomann*. A left-handed model* is also available for the same price. All four guitars come with a matching guitar case.
More on the New Models from Martin Guitars
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