Acoustic Extravaganza: Discover Martin’s Most Intriguing 2024 Releases

Join PJ Pat in this entertaining episode as he debunks the myth that you can't rock out with an acoustic guitar. PJ dives into the latest from NAMM 2024, covering Martin & Co's exquisite lineup of limited edition guitars. Discover the jaw-dropping $50k Martin D 50 CFM 4 50th Anniversary model, the intriguing Bitcoin-themed D 42, and a stunning piece by artist Robert Goitzel featuring a koi pond. Each guitar is more unique and expensive than the last. Would you drop $50k on a guitar? Tune in for a fun and insightful discussion!

00:00 Debunking Acoustic Guitar Myths
00:12 Introduction to the Podcast
00:39 Exploring Martin's 2024 Guitar Collection
02:20 The $50,000 Martin D-50 CFM 4 50th Anniversary Guitar
03:42 The Bitcoin-Inspired Martin D-42
06:05 The Artistic Martin D. Robert Goitzel 7
07:04 The Affordable Martin D. CFM 450th Anniversary
07:52 Final Thoughts and Questions

Transcript

[00:00:00] So there's a misconception that you cannot rock out to an acoustic guitar. If you ever seen Joe Strummer or Tom Morello rock the heck out of one, you would agree with me that that statement is not true. You can absolutely rock out to an acoustic. Welcome to this one letter podcast. I'm your host, PJ Pat.

[00:00:15] I'm going to talk to you about Martin and co guitars. I saw this interview in guitar world magazine, you know, the NAMM 2024. For those of you don't know, it's like an industry show where all the vendors and all the. Factors show up and, uh, you know, stores, distributors, and regular Joe's like you and me can actually go attend this conference.

[00:00:34] It's called a NAMM N A M M. I don't even share what it stands for, but, uh, this year is 2024. Martin came out with some brand new guitars and let's go over them. I'm going to read a couple of things and maybe comment on this article here. Ready to go. All right.

[00:00:54] Okay, Martin's 2024 limited edition collection brings Bitcoin back, drops a 50k anniversary guitar and partners with a prestigious watchmaker to celebrate a train. Hmm, very intriguing title. Okay, let's read on. As is its annual tradition, Martin has supplemented its various standard run NAMM releases by bolstering its lineup of limited edition acoustic guitars and celebratory anniversary six strings.

[00:01:18] For the 2024 Expansion Pack, Martin has ushered in six new creations, well five new models and one returning design, which the brand says, Help it in its ultimate goal to push the boundaries of innovation to the world of acoustic instruments. Before going any further, it's worth noting that owing to the sheer exclusivity of these guitars, they are eye wateringly expensive up to 50, 000 in one instance.

[00:01:43] Indeed, the disconnect between Martin's limited edition collection and the average gear fan is perhaps best summed up by the return of the haloed D42 Bitcoin. A head scratching model first debuted last year that seems to iconize a cryptocurrency. That's an interesting choice. Nevertheless, they're undeniably gorgeous to gaze at with some decadent aesthetics, flourishes, and ultra premium appointments to boot.

[00:02:07] So if you fancy a bit of window shopping, read on to find out about each model. Absolutely read on. Look, but don't touch kind of thing. Okay, I'm not gonna highlight a model. I'm just gonna highlight a couple of things that I find interesting. The number one, the 50, 000 guitar, Martin D 50 CFM 4 50th anniversary.

[00:02:27] I mean, look at this thing. It is a piece of art for sure. I'm not sure you'd want to play it after spending 50, 000. You just want to admire it for the rest of your life on your wall. It will come as no surprise that the D 50 50th anniversary sits at the top of the price tag pile. Just look at the thing.

[00:02:44] It is, quite frankly, a work of art and one that has been built to commemorate Chris Martin Forr's 50 years of service as the driving force behind the historic acoustic brand. With Guatemalan rosewood back and sides and a heavy bear claw spruce top, the acoustic spares no expense in the inlay department.

[00:03:03] Boasting European flame maple binding and a stunning, um, Abalone and Mother of Pearl inlay design that spans the entire instrument, pickguard and bridge included. Only 50 will be made and each come with a signed label celebrating the occasion. Oh, and it costs 50k. 50k for a guitar. Would you spend 50k on a guitar?

[00:03:23] Obviously for the average Joe like a lot of us, this is absolutely unreachable. But man, I mean, don't get me wrong, this thing looks absolutely beautiful, I mean, even the pickguard has inlays, the headstock, I mean, just stunning, really just stunning. Crazy, I wonder how it sounds, it probably has like a really bright sound because it's spruce.

[00:03:42] The second one I want to bring up is the Martin D 42 Bitcoin. Wow, I myself own point zero zero zero zero zero something bitcoin Okay. So the next guitar martin d42 bitcoin. Wow. It really is a bitcoin guitar like there's bitcoin imagery along the guitar And there we were thinking Bitcoin was a 2020 thing.

[00:04:06] Well, if Martin is to be believed, the cryptocurrency remains popular as ever so popular. In fact, it had to follow up. Its 2023 Bitcoin D 42 with a 24 edition. It looks to be a new instrument though, rather than a like for like remake. That much is clear from the QR code, inlaid pick guard, which unlocks access to an exclusive content and photos of the guitar.

[00:04:30] What? Fan favorite specs including the big Bitcoin logo, 12th fret inlay, crypto fingerboard design, and a one ounce solid gold coin embedded in the headstock make a return. A price hasn't been revealed but last year's model went for 18, 999 with the updates. This one will probably go for slightly more Whoa I wonder if you can pay by bitcoin, you know, that'd be cool If you could that is such an odd thing to do for a legendary acoustic guitar maker To I wouldn't even say partner because bitcoin there is no there is no company or face or ceo Behind bitcoin.

[00:05:09] It's just there but uh, I guess highlight bitcoin in this fashion is pretty crazy And to have it that expensive of a guitar, I wonder how many they made. That is really interesting. Hmm, let me know, would you get this? I mean, unless you're a Bitcoin fan, I don't see the attraction in this one. I mean, it doesn't look that great, if you ask my opinion.

[00:05:34] They just kind of tacked on the Bitcoin logo on the headstock, on the neck. And on the pickguard, and each logo seems a little different, and, uh, yeah, not that very attractive, you know? Not that the logo's supposed to be, but, on a guitar, not sure if it's the right place for it, but, who knows? Not sure if the, uh, executive committee there is, uh, Our big Bitcoin fans.

[00:05:59] Really curious to know how this came about. If you know, leave it in the comments. But that's a real head scratcher for sure. Okay, this is a cool one. Martin D. Robert Goitzel 7. As per last year, Martin has teamed up with renowned artist Robert F. Goitzel for another one of a kind creation that flashes hand painted gloss artwork.

[00:06:16] This time, Goitzel has focused his keen artistic eye on a koi pond, which has been strapped to the spruce top. Other specs include East Indian rosewood back and sides, a high performance neck taper, and elegant soundhole rosette. It's a fun image where I could create something colorful and with movement, Gweizel said.

[00:06:35] Not only is it a valuable piece of art, but it's a valuable instrument, so don't just hang it up and look at it, play it. He says, again, a price hasn't been confirmed, but last year's listed for 11, 999. Yeah, again, I wonder how many they made, but definitely in one of a kind type of guitar for sure. I actually did a video of Goizel's design of the OM Biosphere from Martin, so I'll leave the link in the description below, but there's another stunning guitar that he did.

[00:07:03] Okay, here's another beauty. Martin D. CFM 450th anniversary. Completing a collection is another CFM 450th anniversary model. This time out, Martin has paid particular attention to honoring its co workers in Najojoa, Sonora, Mexico, as well as commemorating Chris Martin's 50 years of service. The guitar itself dials back the extravagant eye candy, opting instead to rely on a statement piece tree of life fretboard and headstock inlay, and matching power Pearl rosette to do most of the heavy lifting.

[00:07:36] Core components include pommel, sapele backsides and a bear claw spruce top. This model is the cheapest of the bunch, but we'll still set you back 5, 000. Just beautiful. The inlays have kind of like a bluish tone to it. Very beautiful. Okay. Well, there you go. There's what Martin has to offer for the NAB 24.

[00:07:55] Let me know. Would you draw 5k for the 50th anniversary Martin IV or 50k? Is that something you'd ever do? Let's say even if you had money, would you drop 50k on a guitar or you'd spend it on a car or what? I'd be curious. I'm not so sure I'd spend 50k on a guitar. I mean, don't get me wrong. It just looks stunning, but I'd want to play it and kind of bash around a bit.

[00:08:15] And I think I'd feel too self conscious, you know? It's like if I were to get a Rolex, you know, I'd only want to wear it special occasions. And so I'm not sure if it's worth it, you know? All right. Thanks for watching and listening. Hope you learned a thing or two. I'll see you in the next one.