Description
A gorgeous example of the M-21 Steve Earle Custom Edition, presented in really lovely condition with some honest playwear. There are some pick scrapes, a bit of buckle worming visible in the rear gloss, and mild finish checking to the top in a couple of spots. All cosmetic and very much in keeping with a guitar that has been played and cared for.
This model came together under the guidance of two serious guitar people, Steve Earle and Matt Umanov, and it shows throughout. The top is Italian alpine spruce, chosen for its clarity and richness, paired with forward-shifted scalloped bracing for balance and responsiveness. Back and sides are East Indian rosewood, giving depth and power without excess boom. The low-profile neck is carved from genuine mahogany, with East Indian rosewood used for the headplate, fingerboard, and bridge.
In terms of appointments, it draws on classic Style 21 Martins, blending elements of Style 18 and Style 28 with a few touches unique to Style 21. The rosette and checkerboard backstrip are subtle and well judged, matched with restrained top and back purfling and tortoise-colour binding. The polished headplate carries the old-style gold C.F. Martin logo and is fitted with Waverly nickel tuners with butterbean buttons for a properly old-school look. The fingerboard features Style 28 position markers that taper in size from the 5th through to the 17th fret, with Style 21 bridge pins and endpin completing the picture.
A polished and beveled Delmar nitrate pickguard, gentle aging toner on the top, a high-gloss lacquer body finish, and a satin-finished neck for comfort round things out nicely.
Each M-21 Steve Earle Custom Edition was delivered in a blue molded Martin hardshell case and features an interior label personally signed by Steve Earle and Matt Umanov, numbered in sequence without a total. This one is number 64.
Serial number: 1323149
Original Martin hardcase included