Watch John Bohlinger summon the ghosts of two songwriting powerhouses as we learn about a special piece of acoustic history.
This well worn D-18 was coined “Grandpa” by Kurt Cobain, and was gifted to the rocker by then girlfriend Mary Lou Lord In 1991. Used by Cobain while on tour for Nirvana’s second and most notable album Nevermind. After Cobain’s death, the instrument was returned to Mary Lou Lord who toured with late rocker Elliott Smith who also used the guitar. (Courtesy of Martin Guitar.)
Check out a demo of a pre-war Martin D-45 & the oldest Martin alive today.
Conservation-minded construction shines in a comfortable, compact junior-sized 000.
Inspired by Shawn’s go-to vintage Martin and featuring classic Shawn imagery, every detail of this guitar was designed and created in collaboration with Mendes for his official signature model. This edition is crafted with 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified tonewoods in a 000 Junior-sized, 14-fret instrument and comes with a gig bag made from recycled ocean plastic that meets the Global Recycled Standard. The Shawn Mendes Signature Edition marks the largest production run of 100% FSC-certified guitars Martin has ever completed, and it is the first time a Martin guitar has been paired with a gig bag made from recycled ocean plastic.
The Jr. size and 000-body depth are intended to make this guitar extremely comfortable for any player. And with Fishman Sonitone electronics included, it's designed to sound great on stage. A sample of Shawn’s lyrics is hidden somewhere inside the guitar. You might find one laser-etched on a brace, or under the bridge, or even under the rosette. Some of the phrases include: “We lay under the same stars,” or “You’ll never be alone.”
As part of the partnership, Martin will be supporting Mendes’ goal of making music accessible to everyone. Martin will be making a contribution to the Wonder of Music Program at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) presented by The Shawn Mendes Foundation. SickKids, affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest center dedicated to improving children's health in Mendes’ home state. The Wonder of Music Program Presented by Mendes aims to fund music therapy activities that are accessible to young patients at the Toronto hospital, with activities including songwriting, first exposure to music, heartbeat songs for families of patients, and lullabies.
Shawn Mendes is a Grammy-nominated, Toronto born, multi-platinum singer/songwriter who has released four straight #1 studio albums. The international superstar has won 18 Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) awards, twelve Juno Awards, eleven MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), eight iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards (MMVA), five BMI Awards, three American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and the Allan Slaight Honour from Canada's Walk of Fame.
$799 USD. Connect with Martin Guitars and Martin Strings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. More info at martinguitar.com.
Martin 000JR-10E Shawn Mendes Signature Acoustic-electric Guitar - Natural
000JR-110E Shawn Mendes Cstm Art, NatA creatively executed all solid-maple dreadnought sings with sweet sustain and in mellow moods.