1992 Martin D-45 produced in the Custom Shop Extreme Mint Collectors Item - VERY RARE - VERY CUSTOM Start Price USD 0.01 Current Price USD 11,600.00 Time Left - Bid Count 35 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, November 17, 2008 End Time Monday, November 24, 2008 Location folsom, CA See more about '1992 Martin D-45 produced in the Custom Shop' Description 1992 Martin D-45 from the Custom Shop Where do I begin? I contacted the Fifth String Guitar Shop in Berkeley, California in 1991 and commissioned Martin to build this ONE-OF-A-KIND guitar. It truly is just that. Between the owner of the Fifth String (long time freind of Mike Longworth) , Mike Longworth (Consumer Relations Manager at Martin Guitars) and myself, we came up with this goddess. Mike gave me an autographed copy of his book entitled “Martin & Co.” A History by Mike Longworth when they gave me the guitar.   So I’ll start with this. If you’re a collector, you know the deal with Brazilian Rosewood so I won’t waste your time, or mine. Brazilian Rosewood went on the CITES treaty WHILE this guitar was in production. What you may not know is that the stock that Martin already had before this happened was over 20 years old ALREADY. Well that’s what the back and sides are made of. And as you can tell by the pictures, it is exquisite. Deep, rich, and full of character.  And the attention to detail to book match the sides is remarkable.   Standard Features………………….. Top: Premium Sitka Spruce Binding: Full Body Inlayed Abalone Pickguard: Standard Black Rosette: Style 45 Inlayed Abalone All Scalloping: Pre-War Backstrip Binding: Mosaic End Piece: Inlayed Abalone Neck: Mahogany Fingerboard and Bridge:  Solid Ebony Headstock: Ebony Veneer Bridge Pins: White With Pearl Dots Saddle: Bone (pre-war extended length) Tuners: Embossed Gold Serial Number: 519288 Martin Hard Shell Case Included Guitar set up for medium gauge strings   Special Features……………………. The Tree Of Life on the headstock, fingerboard, and bridge were all done by a retired artisan from Martin. You know, one of the guys that did the BEST WORK. The face of the headstock is ebony veneer and as you can see I had the Tree Of Life extended all the way to the top. Notice how the tree of life perfectly flows into the headstock. I’m an artist by trade, and I was overjoyed with the balance of this inlay. It truly was done by an highly skilled artisan.   Now the topper about this instrument is that CF Martin IV was so impressed with the quality of this guitar that he signed it with a black felt pen on the back of the face on 9-22-92. Not one of those production stickers with his John Hancock on it. He just walked into the factory and signed it free style. And if you know anything about Martin guitars, CF wasn’t signing anything until long after this guitar was made.   It has never been played with a pick. There is one small indent on the face but the finish has not been compromised. Other than that it looks new with NO cracking, blistering or any signs of age.   On September 13, 2007, I had the guitar appraised by George Gruhn of Gruhn Guitars, in Nashville TN., and have added this appraisal as one of the pictures. The guitar was appraised at over $19,000.00. That was a year ago. The picture is hard to make out so if you would like to have a jpg of this appraisal (with the price blurred our of course) I would be happy to send that to you. Let me know.   I’ve operated my own business in California for 30 years and I am a licensed contractor, so even though I’m new to EBAY, be assured that this guitar is everything I say it is and I will conduct the transaction professionally. MARIOARTS.COM for more information.   Please ask all your questions before bidding and Serious Bidders Only. If you require more pictures, please feel free to contact me. NO bidders outside of the United States will be accepted. Payment must be made via Paypal, Personal Check, or Money Order. If you pay via Paypal I’ll ship within 2 days of receipt of funds. If you pay via personal Check or Money Order it will be held until the Check or Money Order clears my bank before being shipped. Payment must be made within 2 days of the end of auction, otherwise a nonpaying bidder alert will be filed and it will be offered to the next bidder. BUYER Pays shipping and insurance costs.  No refunds on shipping if the guitar is returned.   Place a Bid!