Learn how Martin guitars are shaped by the iconic musicians who play them in the 2025 Martin Journal
Core to Martin’s storied near-200-year legacy has been its relationship with artists. While the Nazareth-based company certainly built its reputation on top-quality acoustic guitars in its own right, that relationship is one of symbiosis, with artist-requested features regularly becoming staples of its product lineup.
Take the D-45, for example. This now-classic acoustic model was originally a custom build for “Singing Cowboy” and country star Gene Autry.
“The Singing Cowboy wanted a fancy Martin guitar, but a large one,” explains the company’s executive chairman Chris Martin IV in the 2025 edition of the Martin Journal. “Up until that point, we made Dreadnoughts, and we made Style 45 versions of other models, but we never combined the two.
“But when Gene placed that order, we took it and made it. We still have the correspondence between the two parties in our archives. Of course, after we delivered Gene his guitar, that wasn’t the end of the story.”
“The D-45 became part of our standard line, and today it’s one of the most valuable vintage guitars you can get. And it may never have happened without this collaboration between Martin and our artists.”
The 2025 Martin Journal, created by Guitar.com in partnership with Martin, dives deep into the “harmonious partnership” between Martin and its artists, looking at how musicians from 19th-century Spanish guitar virtuoso Madame Dolores de Goñi to modern guitar greats like John Mayer, Eric Clapton and Shawn Mendes have influenced – and continue to influence its product range.
“Throughout C. F. Martin & Co.’s history, we have had the honour of working with many iconic artists, and that tradition continues today,” says President and CEO Thomas Ripsam. “We are especially excited about recent signature model collaborations with legends such as Eric Clapton, Johnny Marr, John Mayer, and Joe Bonamassa. And we have a strong roster of artists lined up for years to come. But we’re always looking to do more.”
Also in the 2025 Martin Journal, read in-depth original interviews with Johnny Marr, Billy Strings and Peter Frampton, and take a look at this year’s Martin Artist Showcase, which spotlights nine breakthrough and emerging musicians set to make waves in 2025.
Read the full 2025 Martin Journal at martinguitar.com.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
