Martin D-41DF Edition Honors Dan Fogelberg

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For more than 25 years, Dan Fogelberg has expressed in song a generations most intimate thoughts and feelings, and done so in words and melodies both deceptively simple and inspiringly eloquent. For virtually his entire career, a Martin guitar has been his constant companion for songwriting, recording and performing. Now Martin returns the compliment with a guitar that honors the man and his music: the D-41DF Dan Fogelberg Signature Edition model.

From a musical family, Dan Fogelberg began playing piano at age 6 but switched to guitar when he was 11, playing in rock bands throughout high school. While at the University of Illinois he played solo at local coffeehouses, where his singing and songwriting talents soon captured the attention of music agent Irving Azoff. Leaving college and moving to Nashville via Los Angeles, he released his 1972 debut album "Home Free." His second album, 1974s "Souvenirs," became the first in a string of many consecutive gold, platinum and multi-platinum records.

Inspired by his success and his new home in the mountains of Colorado, Fogelberg wrote and recorded several of his finest works over the next decade. His 1979 album "Phoenix" yielded the number two hit single "Longer" and his 1981 double album "Innocent Age" produced four Top 20 singles, including "Leader of the Band" and "Same Auld Lang Syne." "High Country Snows," released in 1985, showcased his talents in a bluegrass context, assisted by some of the best pickers in the business.

In recent years, Fogelberg has continued to create music both fresh and vital. His 1993 album "River of Souls" displayed a definite world music flavor. "The First Christmas Morning" from 1999 showed uncommon depth in a holiday offering. His latest, last year's "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Some Blues" demonstrated that he could mix the blues and his own songs in a live show with exciting results. His long career and unswerving dedication to his craft has earned Fogelberg some of the most ardent and loyal fans in the business.

The D-41DF Dan Fogelberg Signature Edition model combines great tone and great looks in a singularly magnificent instrument. True to Fogelbergs personal preference, the D-41DF is a classic Martin Dreadnought with uniquely powerful tone. Premium solid tonewoods are featured throughout: tightly-grained, bookmatched Sitka spruce for the top, East Indian rosewood for the back and sides and genuine mahogany for the neck. The 5/16" standard X-bracing under the top emphasizes clear, balanced timbre, a sound ideal for bluegrass and traditional music. A colorful Style 45 mosaic backstrip joins the two-piece back.

Vividly colored "green select" abalone frames the perimeter of the top and the soundhole and shines on the Style 41 "C. F. Martin" block letters inlaid on the headstock and on the Style 41 "original version" hexagons (which begin at the 3rd fret) inlaid on the black African ebony fingerboard. Dan Fogelbergs unique signature is delicately inlaid between the 19th and 20th frets. Pale gold Agoya pearl has been utilized for the winter snowflake inlays on the wings of the black African ebony belly bridge. Grained ivoroid binding protects the top, back, headstock and fingerboard edges.

The easy playing, low profile neck reflects many original Style 41 appointments, including a 1 11/16" neck width at the nut, a solid squared and tapered headstock with diamond volute, and gold-plated Grover enclosed tuning machines with gold-plated knobs.

The aging toner tinted top, black polished and beveled pickguard, and Style 45 abalone inlaid bridge and end pins also mirror early (late 1960s to early 1970s) D-41 appointments. A genuine bone nut and compensated saddle are carefully fitted for comfortable action. The entire instrument (including the neck and headplate) is beautifully finished in polished gloss lacquer and delivered in a Geib vintage style hardshell case.

Each Martin D-41DF Dan Fogelberg Signature Edition guitar bears an interior label personally signed by Dan Fogelberg and Martin Chairman and CEO C.F. Martin IV, numbered in sequence and showing the edition total.

At Dan Fogelbergs request, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of his Signature Edition will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund, the largest privately funded international conservation organization in the world. Dedicated to protecting the worlds wildlife and wildlands, the World Wildlife Fund celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, having sponsored more than 13,000 conservation projects in 157 countries.

Orders for the D-41DF Dan Fogelberg Signature Edition will be accepted by Martin dealers and distributors for 60 days from the date of announcement. After the order period closes, the size of the edition and the names of participating Martin dealers will be posted on the Martin website.