Little Rock, AR, United States
About this listing
1995 C.F. Martin D40 FMG (Figured Mahogany) Limited Edition - RAREGorgeous 1995 Limited Edition D40 FMG (Figured Mahogany) is made of rare Honduras flamed quilted mahogany. When Martin make a limited edition model they go all out. Sitka spruce top with flamed quilted Honduras mahogany back and sides. Using some of the last remaining stocks of quilted mahogany from “the tree”, it's just stunning. Beautiful fine grain Sitka spruce top with light braces and scalloped brace voicing, Ebony bridge with cream bridge pins crowned with an abalone dot. Flamed quilted Honduras mahogany body with tortoiseshell plastic bindings and fancier side purflings, multicolored 45 style backstrip, Honduras mahogany neck with gold Schaller mini tuners stamped “C.F. Martin”. Rosewood headstock overlay with tortoiseshell plastic binding and top surface purflings. Ebony fingerboard with abalone 40 style hexagons and tortoiseshell plastic and top surface purflings. Red Turtle-oid pickguard in a vintage style shape, Abalone soundhole rosette. The guitar speaks quickly and forcefully with a rich vintage style voice. This Amazing instrument is in excellent to near mint condition, and has been well cared for, over 30 years. This is an extremely rare model of only 150 instruments. Great guitar, beautiful tone, low action and a great investment. This is #50 of 150 guitars. This is one of the most beautiful Martin guitars ever made. Includes Original Martin hardshell case and paperwork.Key SpecificationsBody Type: 14-fret dreadnought with scalloped X-bracing.Tonewoods: Solid Sitka spruce top and solid quilted Honduras mahogany back and sides.Inlays: Style 45 abalone pearl rosette and Style 40 abalone hexagon fingerboard inlays.Hardware: Gold Schaller tuners and an ebony belly bridge.Neck: Solid mahogany with a low-profile shape and 1 11/16-inch nut width.Binding: Tortoise-colored binding on the top, back, fingerboard, and headstock. Production and RarityLimited Run: Only 150 instruments built.Exclusivity: It was manufactured in 1995 as a "Guitar of the Month" special edition.Historical Note: Some sources indicate the quilted mahogany used for this run came from the famous "The Tree" mahogany log, known for its extreme figuring and tonal properties. Key Valuation Factors for the D40 FMG:Several unique specifications distinguish the Martin D40 FMG from standard D40 models, contributing to its premium. The standard production Martin D40 was released in 1997 and was produced until approximately 2005. While special, limited edition versions like the D40 FW existed as early as 1995. Rare Materials: It features rare Honduras quilted mahogany back and sides, reportedly sourced from "the tree" (a legendary fallen mahogany tree known for exceptional figuring).Limited Production: This model was a “Limited “Edition” release in 1995, limited to only 150 instruments.Distinct Cosmetics: Unlike the white binding on standard D40s, the FMG uses tortoise binding on the body, neck, and headstock.Premium Inlays: It includes an unusual amount of abalone for a mahogany guitar, featuring Style 45 abalone soundhole rosettes and J40 style hexagon fingerboard inlays. Age and Tone: The sound of these guitars has shifted from "bright and loud" when new to a "warm and full" vintage tone over the past 30 years. Unique Features: Features rare Honduras quilted (figured) mahogany, tortoise binding, and Style 40/41/45 rosette/inlays.Condition: Excellent to near Mint.Documentation: The inclusion of original documentation and a label signed by CFM IV adds to the guitar's history and value. Market Trend: As a "rare bird" with high-end appointments, they hold value well. A Lost Martin Model - The rare D40 FMGThis model was part of the Figured Wood Edition series, which included the D40 FMG, made in 1995 (two were made in 1996,) and a D40 FW (figured walnut, 148 made,) and the D40 QM (quilted maple, 164 made,) both were built in 1996.The D40 FGM has the styling similar to the D40, but came out two years before the Standard D40 was released in 1997.Most interesting is the fact the D40 FMG seems to be a forgotten model. It was left out entirely from Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference, wherein Richard Johnston and Dick Boak edited and greatly expanded Longworth's original history of Martin Guitars.Modern Style 40 gets a meager one sentence, about the J40, and while it mentions the D40 in the notes beneath, none of these LE D40 models are listed among the other Limited and Special Editions.The production totals for all D40 models do appear in the appendix, but they are buried in an obscure table, and not listed between the D37 and D41, as one might expect.Used – ExcellentPrice$6,750+ $300 shipping
Price$6,750
+ $300 Shipping
