C. F. Martin and Co. has announced the launch of two new signature guitars developed in collaboration with musician Shawn Mendes. The release includes the highly limited-edition 000-28 Shawn Mendes and the accessible Road Series 000-10E Shawn Mendes. Both full-size models draw design inspiration from a vintage 1920s small-bodied Martin guitar that Mendes used during his songwriting and recording process.
The design process began when Mendes discovered a vintage Martin 0-42 instrument at a guitar shop in Brooklyn. He noted that the compact body, pyramid bridge, unique pickguard shape, and slotted-headstock design immediately stood out to him. Martin initially constructed an ornate stage guitar based on that specific vintage instrument, which subsequently became the structural foundation for these new production models.
The premium 000-28 Shawn Mendes model will be strictly limited to 88 instruments worldwide. This guitar features solid East Indian rosewood back and sides paired with a solid spruce top, antique toner, bold herringbone trim, and Golden Era scalloped X-bracing. It includes specialized appointments such as a modern pyramid-style ebony bridge, a faux tortoise pickguard, gold Waverly side-mount tuners, and a custom mother-of-pearl eagle inlay on the ebony fingerboard.
The more accessible 000-10E Shawn Mendes model is built for the Road Series using entirely FSC-certified tonewoods. It utilizes solid sapele for the back and sides alongside a solid spruce top with scalloped X-bracing. This acoustic-electric variation is equipped with Martin E1 electronics, a built-in tuner, a performing artist neck with a high-performance taper, and a straightline pyramid bridge.
Mendes stated that Martin guitars serve as his primary choice when writing music because they feel like they contain stories and songs. He emphasized the importance of offering multiple tiers, providing a accessible option alongside an instrument that closely mirrors what he plays on stage. Both new models are designed to handle transitions from quiet fingerpicking to open strumming.
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