[NAMM] Martin & Co JO and J12SO

The guitars mark the 60th anniversary of Sing Out!, the magazine, songbook publisher and syndicator of traditional music radio shows that Seeger helped found in 1950. To mark this milestone, 120 of these guitars are being built, signed by both Seeger and Martin Chairman and CEO Christian Frederick (Chris) Martin IV.

The 6-String JSO! and 12-String J12SO! are inspired by Seeger’s 12-string guitars, the first two of which were custom built by Liverpool luthier and engineer G. Stanley Francis; with later, evolved versions crafted by Connecticut luthier Bruce A. Taylor.

The JSO! and J12SO! models have Martin’s Grand Jumbo body style, built of solid woods. The top is built of Sitka spruce, East Indian rosewood on the back and sides, a mahogany neck with unadorned black ebony fingerboard, and a polished East Indian rosewood headplate.

The headplate includes the gold C. F. Martin & Co. logo, as well as a banjo sketch drawn by Seeger and a replica of his signature inlaid in mother of pearl. The triangular sound hole is surrounded by a black/white/black/white fine line rosette, and the top of the sound hole is encircled by bold herringbone purfling and grained ivoroid binding.

Both models are finished with a polished gloss lacquer finishes, with aging toner on the tops to enhance their vintage style and are protected in Vintage Series Geib-style hardshell cases.

Each of the limited edition (120) custom guitars will be numbered in sequence with the edition’s total number produced.

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