GEAR EXPO SUMMER 2022: all the latest gear from NAMM and beyond
NAMM 2022: The Martin D-28 is the ideal songwriter's companion so it makes sense Rich Robinson's 1954 model passed down from his father is the basis for his signature acoustic guitar. But it's also a first for Martin too.
The company have never replicated a guitar for a signature model to this level of aesthetic detail before; down to the wear and tear from decades in the Robinson family and writing Black Crowes songs.
Robinson calls the model The Appalachian in homage to his father, who played it onstage at the legendary Grand Ole Opry as a traveling musician with the Hillbilly Highway and in his folk band, The Appalachians, during the 1950s and ‘60s.
“This guitar, which was passed down to me from my father, is the instrument I learned to play guitar on,” says Robinson. “It is the instrument on which I wrote our songs, and I played on every Black Crowes’ record. When Martin approached me about a signature model, I thought, what an amazing tribute to have for him. That's why I named it "The Appalachian," a nod to my dad and his influence on me.”
The guitar's recreation as a production model took a year of development but Robinson is delighted with the results.
“When I play this guitar, it rings: it feels incredibly accurate, so close to the original,” adds Robinson. “I wanted to make sure it had the same tuners, the same style of neck, and the same bridge. The way that it sings, the way that it all presents itself, it's just phenomenal, and I couldn't be happier with it.”
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
The Appalachian aged satin-finished East Indian rosewood for the back and sides and an aged Sitka spruce top that is finished with a very thin vintage gloss.
This D-28 features rearward-shifted non-scalloped bracing for 'a very balanced tone and added volume'. Martin’s signature dovetail neck joint, hide glue construction, an ebony fingerboard and bridge, and aged nickel tuners remain true to its '50s origins.
Robinson also requested a bridge with the wings slightly softened for comfort. The $6,999 model includes a specially designed label signed by Robinson and the guitars will be numbered in sequence.
More info at Martin Guitars
Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.
“This one is a prototype. We’re getting close to the finish line tho!”: Abasi Concepts set introduce an extended-range nylon-string to its lineup and Tosin Abasi got so excited with it he spilled his coffee
“Designed as the ultimate ‘stage guitars’”: Faith launches the all-new Eclipse series – a trio of all-solid cutaway acoustic electric guitars with a maple forearm rest for comfort and Fishman electronics