John Mayer Receives Signature Martin OM Guitar

For much of his career, Mayer has depended on Martin guitars both on stage and in the studio. His personal arsenal includes an OM-42, a 000-28EC, an HD-35 and an OM-28V. Yet when given the opportunity to design a Martin guitar all his own, he came up with an instrument sure to stand out in a crowd: the OM-28 John Mayer Signature Model.

Based on Martin's classic OM design, with the long 25.4-inch scale, 000 body size and 1/4" scalloped bracing for powerful, balanced tone, the OM-28 John Mayer Signature Model showcases a mix of unusual elements. Both the polished Indian rosewood headplate and the African black ebony belly bridge feature inset fine-line border inlays of aluminum for a look that shows there is (as Mayer's album title points out) "Room for Squares." To match these fine line aluminum borders, the headplate showcases the classic "C.F. Martin & Co. Est. 1833" decal logo in silver. The African black ebony fingerboard is embellished with the "Triangle and Dots" international pilots' symbol for 1200 hours (high noon), replicated from Mayer's wristwatch, in colorful abalone pearl and mother-of-pearl at the 12th fret and at the 20th fret by his signature in mother-of-pearl.

The OM-28JM John Mayer Signature Model is handcrafted entirely from solid premium tonewoods: a top of responsive Engelmann spruce matched to back and sides of rich, resonant Indian rosewood. The genuine mahogany neck combines slim 1 11/16" width at the nut with low profile shape and satin finish for playing comfort. Gotoh open-geared nickel tuners with 8 butterbean knobs contribute smooth, precise tuning. A bone nut and compensated bone saddle provide superb string-to-string separation. This signature model comes factory equipped with Fishman/Martin Gold+Plus Natural electronics for warm, natural amplified sound.

Bold-pattern herringbone encircles the top, with fine black/white/black purfling bordering the side and back edges. The top and back are bound in grained ivoroid, which is also used in the heelcap and end piece. A Style 45 rosette inlaid with a center ring of select abalone pearl shines against the vintage toner on the top. A traditional tortoise-color polished and beveled OM pickguard protects the top, and the body is finished with traditional polished gloss nitrocellulose lacquer.

The OM-28 John Mayer Signature Model comes with an interior label personally signed by John Mayer and Martin Chairman and CEO C.F. Martin IV and will be delivered in a Geib style hardshell case. Mayer has suggested an edition of 404 instruments, saying "It's the Atlanta area code made famous by many rap artists and it's a beautiful looking palindrome!" Martin will begin to take orders for this signature model immediately following its announcement until the edition sells out, with the names of participating Martin dealers to be posted on the Martin.

List Price $4499.00.