News: THE UKE CRAZE COMES TO NASHVILLE AS C.F. MARTIN & CO. BRINGS EIGHT NEW UKULELE MODELS TO SUMMER NAMM

NAZARETH, PA – JUNE 27, 2011 – C. F. Martin & Co., Inc. (www.martinguitar.com)  has announced that eight new ukulele models will be brought to NAMM for  the first time this July – six which were introduced at Musikmesse  Frankfurt 2011, and an additional two new ukes.

“The  music industry is seeing a major ukulele comeback, with our company  alone seeing over 50 percent growth in uke sales since last year, and a  big spike since debuting a half a dozen new models in Frankfurt,” said  company Chairman and CEO Chris Martin IV.  “These, along with two new  instruments being unveiled at Summer NAMM, will help us continue to meet  the growing demand for these simple, exquisite instruments.”

Summer NAMM attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss the ukulele  comeback and more with the sixth generation Martin to lead this iconic  family business at “Meet Chris Martin Day” – Saturday, July 23 – in  Martin Guitar’s booth #1200.  (Watch a short video message from Chris  about the ukulele comeback on Martin Guitar’s official YouTube channel.)

In  addition to the S1 Soprano Ukulele – showcased at Winter NAMM – dealers  attending Summer NAMM will see for the first time in the U.S. these  models, new for 2011:

• 2 Uke –  features a solid mahogany body, solid East Indian rosewood fingerboard  and newly-designed bridge, with an applied dovetail neck to body joint,  black tusq nut and black compensated tusq saddle, friction peg tuners  with white tuner button and a satin lacquer finish.Also includes grained  ivory top binding, and beautiful hand inlayed black and white wood  fiber rosette. 

• 2 Concert Uke –  features characteristics of the 2 Uke, but in concert size, and with  black tusq nut and saddle, geared peg tuners and black tuner button. 

• 2 Tenor Uke – features characteristics of the 2 Uke, but in tenor size, and with black tusq nut and saddle and a tie-block bridge. 

• 2K Uke –  includes solid flamed Hawaiian Koa top, back and sides in a satin  lacquer finish, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, black tusq nut and  compensated tusq saddle, friction peg tuners and white tuner button.  Similar to the 2 Uke, this model includes grained ivory top binding,  hand inlayed black and white wood fiber rosette. 

• 2K Concert Uke –  features characteristics of the 2K Uke, but in concert size with black  tusq nut and saddle, geared peg tuners and black tuner button. 

• 2K Tenor Uke –  features characteristics of the 2K Uke, but in tenor size with black  tusq nut and saddle, geared peg tuners, black tuner button and tie-block  bridge. 

The  above ukes are all manufactured in Martin’s Nazareth factory, equipped  with Martin ukulele strings and feature a unique, pressed stamp at the  back of the headstock.

Additionally, these two new models are making their international debut at Summer NAMM:

• 3 Cherry Uke (Certified) –  part of Martin’s re-introduction of the Style 3 ukulele, the new #3  Cherry Ukulele is constructed with 100% sustainable woods that include  cherry top, back, sides, neck and blocks; basswood linings and braces; a  katalox fingerboard and bridge; and a maple bridge plate.  Style 3  appointments include a pointed fingerboard inlaid with black/white  marquetry and a pointed ivoroid tail inlay.  It is equipped with Martin  ukulele strings and manufactured in Martin’s Nazareth factory. 

·         0XK Ukulele

– The first uke offered as part of Martin’s popular X-Series, this  instrument’s Soprano-size body and one-piece top are fashioned from HPL  (high pressure wood laminate) in a Koa-like finish. Features include  Sitka spruce bracing, Mahogany end blocks, cedar ribbons, Morado  fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, Grover tuning machines and a  new dove tail joint similar to that used in traditional Martin uke  construction. With its strong Stratabond neck and durable HPL body, the  0XK-Uke is perfect for moonlight serenading on the beach.  It is  equipped with Martin ukulele strings and manufactured in Martin’s  Novojoa, Mexico, factory.