Martin
Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Signature - USA 2003
$5,495.00
Pickup currently unavailable
As advertising manager for Martin, Dick Boak had been receiving many calls regarding what Eric Clapton was playing on his incredibly popular Unplugged record & video from 1992. With Chris Martin's permission he contacted Clapton, and a new classic was born.
Eric Clapton has relied on Martin OOOs throughout his acoustic career, resulting in huge sales and interest from the 90s onward. In 1995, Martin collaborated with Clapton and released the first of many signature models - the 000-42EC. Very popular and rather expensive, the impact of the 000-42EC resulted in a simpler and more affordable, yet equally excellent model. With Clapton's personal input, the 000-28EC was introduced to great acclaim early in 1996.
Each 000-28EC bears an interior label, individually numbered in sequence, and bearing the signatures of Eric Clapton and Chris Martin IV. This instrument is number 7293.
From Martin -
”The 000-28ECB… has the smaller 000 body size that Clapton prefers and that is particularly popular among finger style and blues guitarists who like a clear and balanced sound together with the string flexibility that the shorter 24.9″ scale length allows. Crafted with solid woods throughout, the sides and back are constructed from solid rosewood, and the top is bookmatched from select Sitka spruce for optimum tonal response.
”The 000-28ECB… has the smaller 000 body size that Clapton prefers and that is particularly popular among finger style and blues guitarists who like a clear and balanced sound together with the string flexibility that the shorter 24.9″ scale length allows. Crafted with solid woods throughout, the sides and back are constructed from solid rosewood, and the top is bookmatched from select Sitka spruce for optimum tonal response.
Eric Clapton’s signature is inlaid in mother of pearl between the 19th and 20th frets. The 000-28EC is tastefully appointed with a hand bevelled and polished tortoise coloured pickguard. Premium Waverly nickel-plated open-geared tuning machines are equipped with vintage style “butterbean” knobs. The squared headstock bears Martin’s tasteful but elegant old-style decal logo.”
Features – Martin 000-28EC
Construction: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint
Body Size: 000-14 Fret
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Rosette: Fine Herringbone
Top Bracing Pattern: Standard ''X'' Scalloped
Top Braces: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16''
Back Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Back Purfling: HD Zig-Zag
Side Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Endpiece: Grained Ivoroid
Endpiece Inlay: Black/White Boltaron
Binding: Grained Ivoroid
Top Inlay Style: Fine Herringbone
Side Inlay: none
Back Inlay: Black/White Boltaron
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Neck Shape: Modified V
Nut Material: Bone
Headstock: Solid/Diamond/SquareTaper
Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood /Large Old Style
Heelcap: Grained Ivoroid
Fingerboard Material: Solid Black Ebony
Scale Length: 24.9''
Number Of Frets Clear: 14
Number Of Frets Total: 20
Fingerboard Width At Nut: 1-3/4''
Fingerboard Width At 12th Fret: 2-1/4''
Fingerboard Position Inlays: Diamonds & Squares - Long Pattern
Fingerboard Binding: none
Finish Back & Sides: Polished Gloss
Finish Top: Polished Gloss w/ Vintage Toner
Finish Neck: Polished Gloss
Bridge Material: Solid Black Ebony
Bridge Style: Belly
Bridge String Spacing: 2-1/4''
Saddle: 16'' Radius/Compensated/Bone
Tuning Machines: Nickel Open-Geared w/ Butterbean Knobs
Recommended Strings: Martin Light Phosphor Bronze (MEC12 )
Bridge & End Pins: White w/ Black Dots
Pickguard: Tortoise Color - Beveled & Polished
Case: 533E Geib style
This lovely Martin is simply a fabulous guitar in every way. It is super comfortable to play, with a rich tone and serious projection – quite amazing for a smaller bodied guitar. There are few discernable signs of use except for a few pick marks on the guard and above and below the strings. Impossible to see except in a certain angle of light.
This Martin has a rich, resonant voice – bigger than the 000 body would have you expect. The superior tone woods Martin are renowned for really shine in this example. The action is set reasonably high at 3mm on the 12th fret. We have left it at this height as it sounds great as it is. Action can be lowered if required with a truss rod adjustment as there is a reasonable amount of relief on the neck.
The back, sides & neck are largely unmarked, the metal untarnished, frets have minimal wear and the whole package presents almost as new. It is in absolutely fabulous condition for a 20-year-old guitar! As we all know, great Martins only get better with age and this is no exception.
Comes in its Deluxe Vintage Series hardshell case in excellent condition.
