Martin 000-28EC (Eric Clapton)

The Martin 000-28EC is a small-bodied auditorium-size guitar with numerous “pre-war” features. This Eric Clapton signature model (one of around a half dozen different models produced by Martin) was introduced in 1996, 4 years after the release of his “Unplugged.” While Clapton actually played a Martin 000-42 for most of the performance, this CD certainly contributed to resurgence in sales around the auditorium-size guitar. The main area of distinction for the 000-28EC from other 000’s is its width at the nut (1 3/4" vs. 1 11/16"). The top is bookmatched quartersawn (less grain runout) sitka spruce—supported by scalloped bracing—while the sides are east Indian rosewood. Like pre-war 000’s, the ebony fingerboard is adorned with snowflakes and the body is adorned with herringbone wood marquetry. The magohany neck features a “modified” V-profile where most 000’s go with something a little rounder. The 000-28EC is a good choice for fingerstyle, strumming, or soloing with its full balanced tone.

Clapton has called this guitar, “utilitarian in the very BEST sense of the word.” As of 2008, over 15,000 of this model have been sold.

Sources: Martin Guitar