By David Gedge
STORIES FROM NAMM
My Favorite Martin
Martin Modern Deluxe Series
Martin Guitars introduced their
newest Modern Deluxe Series at the
Winter NAMM show in Anaheim,
California last month. The new series
"combines sophistication and performance
to create a truly unique playing experi-
ence," according to the company.
The Modern Deluxe Series comes in
four styles: D-18, D-28, 000-28, and OM-
28. "Our goal has always been to make the
best guitars and strings possible," said
Chris Martin, Chairman, and CEO. "We are
thrilled with the positive feedback we are
getting on these instruments, and we hope
you'll give them a try for yourself."
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Vintage appointments offered in the
Modern Deluxe Series include a Sitka
spruce Vintage Tone System (VTS) top,
VTS Adirondack spruce braces, a dovetail
neck joint, and natural protein glue con-
struction, producing a rich, fully aged
Martin tone that's lasted generations.
The 28-style guitars also feature East
Indian rosewood back and sides with a
contrasting flamed maple binding, while
the 18-style features genuine mahogany
back and sides with contrasting East
Indian rosewood binding. All four models
feature stylish gold frets, gold open-gear
tuners, and pearl inlaid, 1930s style script
logo on the headstock.
A feature that' s new to this series is a
two-way titanium truss rod, which makes
the neck easy to adjust, and is 64% lighter
than a traditional truss rod. The models
also feature Liquidmetal red dot bridge
pins and a composite carbon fiber bridge
plate that increase the volume
The Modern Deluxe Series features a
shape that has an ultra-low profile, and it
is slightly asymmetrical for maximum
hand comfort up and down the fretboard.
With these new features combined in one
series, Modern Deluxe stands apart from
anything in Martin's production line to
date. With these guitars, sophistication,
and performance come standard. Pricing
was not available at press time. For infor-
mation visit martinguitar.com
Don't Call It A Comeback
Gibson Guitars Reboots in 2019
Founded in 1894, Gibson has been one
of the early pioneers in the development of
the guitar. And at last month's NAMM
2019 show in Anaheim, the company
relaunched itself after their reorganization
with live performances from Billy
Gibbons, Nancy Wilson, Peter Frampton,
Black Pistol Fire, Cam, Jared James
Nichols.
As the guitar of choice for a century of
artists working in rock, pop, country,
blues, folk, jazz and beyond, the new
Gibson is celebrating the legacies of iconic
models like the Les Paul, the SG, and the
ES-335.
The company has pledged it will con-
tinue to closely collaborate with its legacy
roster, at the same time looking to the
future with instruments that will nurture
new players across generations, genders,
and genres.
Guiding the iconic brand into a new era is
a leadership team of global professionals,
headed by President and Chief Executive
Officer James “JC” Curleigh.
Curleigh brings with him decades of
experience in building multiple brands, as
well as a player’s passion and reverence
for the guitar. His vision for Gibson is sim-
ple: “We want to be the most relevant, the
most played, and the most loved music
brand in the world.”
The company is promising new, histor-
ically accurate legacy models and contem-
porary updates and the renewed commit-
ment to additional associated brands,
including Epiphone, Kramer, Steinberger,
KRK Systems, Cerwin-Vega, and Stanton.
“It all starts and ends with the creation
of a compelling product,” Curleigh says.
"Our new classics are true classics, and our
modern guitars will provide contempo-
rary solutions. “We are confident we are
off to a solid start, and we are proud of the
progress we have made towards our