The OM-ECHF

Navy Blues
Limited Edition
A Special Collaboration
With Eric Clapton,
Hiroshi Fujiwara and
C. F. Martin & Co.

Photo Kevin Mazur

Eric Clapton with the prototype of the OM-ECHF

Navy Blues Limited Edition, opening the
Crossroads Festival at Madison Square Garden
in New York City on April 12th, 2013.

The OM-ECHF Navy Blues Limited Edition

The OM-ECHF Navy Blues is the third in a series of collaborations between
C. F. Martin & Co., Eric Clapton and Erics multitalented friend/associate in Japan,
Hiroshi Fujiwara. Prior ECHF models included the popular Bellezza Nera (Black
Beauty) and the Bellezza Bianca (White Beauty). While these two models
featured a shorter 24.9" scale length, this OM Orchestra Model edition incorporates the longer 25.4" scale for added string tension and tonal projection.
The neck and body are lacquered and polished with a striking dark navy coloration atop East Indian rosewood back and sides and a European spruce
soundboard. Each OM-ECHF Navy Blues guitar includes an interior label, individually numbered and personally signed by Eric Clapton, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Dick
Boak and C. F. Martin IV.

Hiroshi Fujiwara

Eric Clapton with the original ECHF

Bellezza Nera model from the
Me and Mr. Johnson
CD brochure artwork.

Imagine a guitar cooperatively conceived by a British musical icon and a Japanese trendsetter, built by Americas most respected guitar company. The new Martin OM-ECHF Eric Clapton/Hiroshi Fujiwara Navy Blues stands as
one of the most stunning looking and sounding limited editions in Martins long and colorful history.
A legendary musician and performer for nearly 50 years, Eric Clapton needs no introduction. Hiroshi Fujiwara
stands as one of modern Japans most important cultural figures: a visionary artist, actor, musician, activist and DJ
responsible for creating and introducing cutting-edge club music and fashion designs throughout Japan. The
two became fast friends while working together on music projects.
During one of Claptons visits to Japan, he and Fujiwara began envisioning a series of custom acoustic guitars
that blended the best in design and sound. Over time, the ideas were fleshed out, with Martins Dick Boak facilitating the projects. This third edition follows the previous black Bellezza Nera and the white Bellezza Bianca models and features a polished dark navy blue lacquered body, neck and headplate, with black ebony fingerboard
and bridge in a long scale 14-fret OM Orchestra Model format. Clapton loved the prototypes tone and projection
and opened the Crossroads Festival with the OM-ECHF at New Yorks Madison Square Garden on April 12th, 2013.
The unique two-ring rosette that adorns the soundhole features a center ring of Martins traditional small
Mother Of Pearl slotted square inlays set against a black Corian background. Fine pattern herringbone encircles
the top, while bold pattern herringbone bisects the back. Grained ivoroid body binding is accented by
black/white/black fine line purfling on sides and back. The neck and headstock are similarly bound with grained
ivoroid, within which mitered fine line inlays black/white on the neck, black/white/black on the headstock add
an extra measure of visual drama. The grained ivoroid heelcap and end piece sport matching black/white/black
line inlays. The polished headplate provides an elegant backdrop for Martins elaborate alternative torch inlay, a
design originally created on one of the first Martin 00-45s in 1902, inlaid here in colorful abalone pearl. This pattern was revived for the Eric Clapton 000-42ECB Signature Edition issued in 2000. The fingerboard features Martins Style 45 abalone snowflake inlays. Black bridge pins and end pin are topped with abalone pearl dots. To allow
its elegance to shine unrestrained, this guitar comes without a pickguard.
Within the OM-ECFH Navy Blues handsome appointments lies a tone monster crafted in the Martin tradition.
Premium solid tonewoods are featured throughout. The top is European spruce, revered for its rich, powerful tone.
Scalloped 1/4 top braces contribute crispness and balance. The back and sides are crafted from East Indian rosewood, which provides both strong projection and roundness to the tonal palette. The modified V-shaped neck
measures a comfortable 1 3/4 at the nut. Carved from solid genuine mahogany, the neck features Martins diamond volute at the base of the headstock. The nut and compensated saddle are made from genuine bone to assure impressive string-to-string definition.
Each OM-ECHF Navy Blues includes a special navy blue interior label personally signed by Eric Clapton, Hiroshi
Fujiwara, Dick Boak and C. F. Martin IV. This guitar comes with a special Geib vintage style hardshell case. Limited
to no more that 181 special instruments, C. F. Martin dealers and distributors will be accepting orders for the OMECHF Navy Blues at the 2014 Anaheim Winter NAMM Show until the model is fully subscribed.

OM-ECHF NAVY BLUES LIMITED EDITION SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL: OM-ECHF Navy Blues Limited Edition
CONSTRUCTION: Dovetail, Full Navy Blue Polished Gloss
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
BODY SIZE: OM Orchestra Model, 14 Fret
$6,999.00
TOP: European Spruce
This
model
may be ordered
ROSETTE: Two Ring M.O.P. Slotted Squares Set Into Black Corian
through
your local
TOP BRACING PATTERN: Scalloped, 1/4" Width
Authorized
Martin
Dealership
TOP BRACES: Sitka Spruce
BACK: East Indian Rosewood, 2 Piece
BACK PURFLING: Fine Herringbone with Style 18 Black Fiber Strips
CAUTION STAMP: None, "C. F. Martin & Co., Nazareth, PA" Stamping
Between 1st and 2nd Back Braces
BLOCK TO READ:
(Laser Etched Martin Logo)
Clapton/Fujiwara
OM-ECHF Navy Blues
Serial Number
SIDES: East Indian Rosewood
RIBBON: Spanish Cedar
v
END PIECE: Grained Ivoroid with B/W/B Inlay
Navy Blues
BINDING: Grained Ivoroid
TOP INLAY: Fine Herringbone
Eric Clapton Hiroshi Fujiwara
BACK INLAY: Grained Ivoroid with B/W/B Inlay
NECK: Solid Genuine Mahogany
TRUSS ROD: Two-Way Adjustable
C.F. Martin IV
NECK SHAPE: Modified V
HEADSTOCK: Solid Square Tapered with Diamond Volute
Eric Clapton
HEADPLATE: Black Ebony, Alternate Torch Inlay in Select Abalone
Hiroshi Fujiwara
HEELCAP: Grained Ivoroid with B/W/B Inlay
NUT: Genuine Bone
Dick Boak
FINGERBOARD: Black Ebony
Edition # _______
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4"
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 3/4"
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12th FRET: 2 1/4"
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: Style 45 Select Abalone Snowflakes
SIDE POSITION DOTS: Black, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 15th, 17th, two dots at 12th
FINGERBOARD BINDING: Grained Ivoroid with B/W Inlay, Mitered
FINISH BODY: Polished Gloss Navy Blue Lacquer
FINISH TOP: Polished Gloss Navy Blue Lacquer
FINISH NECK: Polished Gloss Navy Blue Lacquer, Clear Gloss Lacquer Headplate
BRIDGE: Black Ebony
BRIDGE STYLE: Belly
BRIDGE SPACING: 2 1/4"
SADDLE: Drop In, 16 Radius, Compensated, Genuine Bone
TUNING MACHINES: Chrome Enclosed with Small Chrome Buttons
STRINGS: Martin Clapton's Choice Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge (MEC12)
BRIDGE & END PINS: Black with Abalone Dots
PICKGUARD: None
CASE: Vintage Geib Style, #533E
INTERIOR LABEL(S): Navy Blue Label, Personally Signed By Eric Clapton, Hiroshi Fujiwara,
Dick Boak and C. F. Martin IV Numbered In Sequence
EDITION SIZE: Limited Edition, Not to Exceed 181 Special Instruments
ELECTRONICS: Optional For An Additional Charge
NO CHARGE OPTIONS: Lefthanded At No Additional Charge

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