Martin Chris Hillman

$5,600.00

  • Year: Unknown
  • Manufacturer: Martin
  • Model: Chris Hillman
  • Case: Hard
  • Color: Tobacco Burst
  • Condition: Brand New
  • Description: For all his success, Hillman remains true to his roots, a third-generation California cowboy. He wanted that heritage represented on his namesake Martin Custom Edition, so Martin artist relations manager Dick Boak introduced him to famed Western artist William (Willy) Matthews. Willy created a handsome “branding iron and lariat” logo that includes Chris Hillman’s initials and slyly pays homage to the company Chris established to handle his songs, Bar None Music. Willy and Dick worked closely to translate the art to inlay for the new Martin OM-28 Chris Hillman Custom Edition. Recreated in black mother of pearl, white mother of pearl, faux ivory and gold mother of pearl, the logo looks spectacular against the polished black ebony headplate. The unique headstock inlay is just one of several appointments that make the OM-28 Chris Hillman Custom Edition a singularly handsome guitar. The familiar arched “C. F. Martin & Co.” at the top of the headplate is inlaid in abalone pearl, as are the Style 45 snowflake position markers on the black ebony fingerboard that lead to Chris Hillman’s signature between the 19th and 20th frets. An understated 1932 shaded top, reminiscent of Martin’s original sunburst from the early 1930s, expands from light amber at the center of the top to antique bronze at the edges, and provides a unique canvas for the bold herringbone top purfling and herringbone rosette. The back strip also is inlaid herringbone. Tortoise color body, neck and headstock binding, heelcap and endpiece are all (with the exception of the herringbone encircled top) accented with delicate black/white purfling or inlay. A beveled and polished vintage-style Delmar nitrate pickguard, Waverly open gear tuners with oval ebony buttons, and white bridge and end pins inlaid with tortoise-color dots complete this elegant instrument. The solid tonewoods on the OM-28 Chris Hillman Custom Edition are equally stellar. The rare Adirondack spruce top is matched to scalloped Adirondack spruce braces for powerful, balanced tone. Back and sides of East Indian rosewood provide resonant timbre. The low profile 1 3/4” (at the nut) neck is carved from genuine mahogany. For optimal sound, both the nut and compensated drop-in saddle are crafted from genuine bone.