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2006 Martin OM-42K, Koa Body

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Serial #: 1139700

Body size at lower bout: 15" Body depth: 4" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 3/4"

Materials: Solid bookmatched Sitka spruce top; highly figured solid Koa body; solid one-piece mahogany neck with adjustable truss rod; solid rosewood bridge and fingerboard; pearl dot inlays; tortoise shell pickguard and body binding: Martin 16X1 tuners.

Notes: Introduced in 1929, the Martin OM series was a quantum leap in flat top guitar design. Commissioned by banjoist Perry Bechtel, the "Orchestra Model" was Martin's first 14 fret guitar, and first to employ the long 25 1/2" scale. The 000 body size is renowned for tonal balance, and the generous 1 3/4" fingerboard has made it a favorite of fingerstyle players. Discontinued in 1933, the OM was revived by Martin on custom order in the late 70's, and brought back to regular production in 1990.

Martin's Style 42 is one of the firm's oldest designs, dating from at least 1870, when it was one of the firm's most upscale offerings. Offered in a variety of body sizes, Style 42 is perhaps best known today for the 1939 000-42 made famous by Eric Clapton. Six decades later, Martin finally introduced an OM-42 model in 1999, and it remains in the catalog until this day.

Martin's use of Koa tonewood dates to 1918, with the introduction of its first Hawaiian style guitars and ukes. Long prized for its spectacular figure, Koa can vary in tone according to density from a warm, mahogany like voice, to a brilliant sound wityh echoes of rosewood. The Koa bodied OM-42K made its debut in 2005, in a very limited run lasting just two years, as far as we can determine. This eye-catching example features highly figured, bookmatched back and sides, colorful Paua abalone trim, ornate 45-style snowflake fingerboard and bridge, and the vertical peghead logo. Vintage touches include the grained ivoroid binding, small swirl tortoise guard, and gold open back butterbean tuners.

AT just 3lb. 15oz., the guitar is lightweight, well balanced and versatile, equally at home with blues, country, ragtime, and classic jazz standards. The 15' body sits handily in the lap and produces an even response across the tonal range, without the bass-heaviness common to many dreadnoughts. This rare example is 100% original, and free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. Apart from a pair of tiny finish cracks on the back (not through the wood), the guitar appears to be virtually unplayed. Action is smooth and low over Martin's signature low profile neck, and the instrument has a rich, appealing voice. One of the most striking instruments in the Martin line, this example comes complete with its original deluxe Martin plush lined hardshell case.

Gorgeous and a delight to play, the OM-42K is very scarce on the vintage market, and so rare that this is the only example we've found to date. One only, call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze strings (.012-.054). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings.

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