Nazareth, PA (November 29, 2011) -- C.F. Martin & Co. announced today that it will utilize Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified Recycled Sitka Spruce in an instrument it will unveil at the 2012 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.
The wood, which is reclaimed from dismantled Canadian bridges where it had been used in construction, will be used on the tops of the new GPCPA4 Sapele, one of the cutaway guitars in the company's Performing Artist series. It is a Grand Performance body style with FSC 100% Certified Sapele back and sides and an FSC Certified Recycled Sitka Spruce top. The instrument has a gloss finish on its top and red toner on its satin back and sides. It also includes Fishman F1 Analog Electronics and a High Performance Neck. It will be delivered in a 600 Series molded case, which was chosen because of its lack of impact on deforestation.
A 2011 Martin GPCPA4 Sapele without recycled Sitka top
"Martin Guitar has long been committed to research and innovation to find alternatives to rare woods," said Chris Martin, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. "The use of this recycled traditional tonewood will complement the Sapele wood that this guitar utilizes, allowing us to achieve the same structural integrity and traditional Martin sound."
In addition to exploring recycled materials, Martin has been at the forefront in tone testing and the development of alternatives for acoustic guitar construction, having introduced new models that utilize domestic woods such as ash, maple, walnut, cherry and red birch, among others. In addition, the company is researching and implementing alternatives for some models, including: patented High-Pressure Laminates for the popular X Series and Little Martin guitars; aluminum tops for the Alternative X models; Stratabond birch laminate for neck blanks; Micarta and Richlite, unique fiber laminates, for fingerboards and bridges; and a shell laminate called Abalam that greatly increases the yield of precious abalone and mother of pearl for decorative inlays.
Fore more information:
Martin