Martin HD-40MS Marty Stuart Signature Artist Owned Ex- JOHNNY CASH signed rare limited edition acoustic guitar D-45 D45

Martin Marty Stuart (Johnny Cash) Signature HD-40MS guitar owned by Marty Stuart and presented to fellow blue grass musician and legendary actor-comedian Steve Martin before being sold at celebrity music auction at Bonhams in 2001 alongside Jimi Hendrix's Epiphone Texan. The HD-40MS is unlike any Martin guitar made before or since, with this one being the only example owned and signed by the man himself on the guitar, on the label and on "The Story of Martin" booklet, also signed by CF Martin IV. Of the 250 examples ever made, only 20 were available for sale to the public, which is why they never come up for sale. The remainder went to celebrity artists and friends of Marty Stuart and CF Martin IV.

Having played for Johnny Cash and married his daughter, Cash gave Stuart his pre-war D-45 formerly owned by Hank Williams Sr as a wedding present. The neck from that exact guitar was scanned and used to create the neck profile for this guitar, giving it an extremely fast and low profile at the 1st fret, blended with a more traditional rounded shape as you approach the 12th fret. The inlays are beautifully executed with 103 individual pieces of mother of pearl, gold pearl, black pearl, abalone, and stone.

One of the most interesting design elements of the HD-40MS is the herringbone pearl rosette that was a new challenge for Martin to create alongside the fine pattern of pre-war herringbone wood marquetry along the perimeter of the body. The solid spruce top is lightly braced with pre-war forward shifted scalloped X-brace pattern.

This is the ultimate Martin guitar, incorporating all of the company's very best design elements and historical features from Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Sr's own pre-war D-45. It is in excellent condition with only very minor playing marks.

Worldwide shipping to any country with UPS or FedEx. I am selling off my private collection of rare guitars, so have a look at my other instruments for sale. Cheers!