Rare Martin Custom Shop George Nakashima one-off limited edition acoustic guitar limited to 100 pieces in 2000. This is one of the rarest and most sought after walnut body acoustic guitars on the planet celebrating world-famous architect & furniture designer George Nakashima who used Martin's custom shop to cut his rare walnut logs to construct his prized furniture pieces that sell for tens of thousands of dollars today. Nakashima was the world's most famous designer of walnut "mid-century" furniture and is recognized as the founder of the American contemporary furniture movement as stated by Architectural Digest. Nakashima's pieces are found in the world's most important museums and properties with Nelson Rockefeller having ordered 200 pieces from Nakashima for his famous Pennsylvania estate in 1973. These guitars are impossible to find, because the few collectors who own one refuse to part with them. Indeed, this example was only able to be acquired by our studio from the passing of a tremendous British collector of the world's finest acoustic guitars. This is an investment piece for any player and collector who wants the very best.
The sides and two piece back are bookmatched from highly figured Claro walnut, Nakashima's favorite species of wood. The panels of the back are joined with two of Nakashima's trademark dovetailed "butterflies" fashioned from East Indian rosewood. The neck combines two pieces of flamed maple with a thin contrasting walnut center stripe. The Nakashima Family Crest, a five petal Japanese ivy leaf, is nested on the Claro walnut headplate beneath Martin's script logo. Both designs are painstakingly inlaid in Mother of Pearl. The fingerboard inlays are also derived from the Nakashima family crest, a full crest at the 5th fret, two leaves at the 7th and 12th frets, a single petal at the 9th, and small floral centers at the 15th and 17th frets. Nakashima's signature is delicately inlaid between the 19th and 20th frets. Both the fingerboard and the bridge are crafted from the highest quality genuine black ebony. Tuning machines are vintage style open geared Waverlies with nickel plated butterbean knobs.
The top is bookmatched from rare Italian alpine spruce, adorned with a single rosette ring of highly colorful abalone pearl. Scalloped top braces are shifted forward to a position one inch from the soundhole for optimum sound. The soft appearance of the instrument is enhanced with a light aging toner on the top and a satin lacquer finish throughout. The pickguard is polished and beveled from material that closely matches the vintage tortoise pickguard coloration of the pre-war era. A black nut and saddle contrast with fossilized ivory bridge and endpins, inlaid with the larger 5mm black pearl dots. Included with each Nakashima Commemorative guitar is a vintage Geib Style hardshell case with a taupe tweed exterior and a green crushed velour interior.
An interior label, personally signed by Mira Nakashima Yarnall and Martin CEO and Chairman and CEO C. F. Martin, IV, is numbered in sequence with the edition total (i.e. I of 100, 2 of 100, etc.). A secondary label features a classic Jack Rosen photograph of George Nakashima and the Japanese symbol "Wa," which represents "harmony."
This rare Martin guitar is part of the world famous instrument collection at Essex Recording Studios! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TWITCH and YouTube! @essexrecordingstudios
International buyers are welcome! We ship to any country in the world! This guitar will be packed and shipped with love, care and respect! The guitar is in collector's investment grade condition - just watch the video here or on the Essex Recording Studios YouTube channel for full detailed condition! You are welcome to collect the guitar in person if you are local to our studio in Southend, England at postcode SS1 1AB directly opposite Southend Central train station. Collection available by appointment, just call 07455 251112.
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