Martin OM Davy Graham Custom Edition (UK) Gloss Natural 2007 Acoustic Guitar

This is a very special Martin OM Davy Graham Custom Edition (UK) acoustic guitar in Gloss Natural finish. This very rare instrument is number 5 of just 64 reportedly ever produced. Davy Graham was a very influential English folk & fingerstyle guitarist throughout the ‘60s, not least thanks to his composition ‘Anji’ which has been covered by a wide range of seminal folk artists, from Bert Jansch to Paul Simon. Indeed, an impressive range of guitarists cite Graham as an influence on their playing, including John Martyn, John Renbourn & even Jimmy Page. After retiring from performance in the mid ‘70s and dedicating his life to the study of languages, Davey enjoyed a short renaissance in the mid ‘00s after being featured in a BBC documentary & releasing a new album ‘Broken Biscuits’. This led to the production of a Martin Custom Shop Signature OM acoustic in 2007, before Graham’s death in 2008.

Made in the USA in 2007, this instrument features an all-solid dovetail construction comprising a Sitka Spruce top, East Indian Rosewood back and sides, Mahogany neck and 20 fret Ebony fingerboard with matching bridge. This instrument features rather restrained aesthetics, favouring a more subtle and understated charm than some other Martin Custom Shop offerings with their Abalone & MoP inlay work. As such, the Davy Graham features Grained Ivoroid double binding with multi-stripe top purfling, Style 18 Rosette & Style 28 Zig-Zag marquetry backstrip & a Tortoiseshell pickguard. The headstock is overlaid with Rosewood to match the back & sides, whilst the Ebony fingerboard is handsomely inlaid with Style 28 Diamonds. A Bone compensated saddle & nut are installed, along with a set of Nickel Martin open-geared tuning machines with Butterbean keys.

The Mahogany neck plays beautifully, with the ‘Low Profile’ carve feeling easily manageable in the hand. The nut width feels ample at 1.75”, providing plenty of string spacing for accurate fingerstyle playing, whilst the shallow depth of the neck assists with easy fretting and large stretches. the volute at the rear of the neck is a pre-war feature which works to add a sense of age and experience to the instrument which is very inspiring in the hands. The Ebony of the fingerboard is rich and luxurious under the fingers, with the traditional 16” radius providing comfort for chord playing and practicality for fingerstyle parts and lead lines. The OM body size is supremely comfortable in both seated & standing positions.

The voice of the OM Davy Graham Custom Edition (UK) is rich, beautiful & astonishingly soft. The OM body size has long been renowned for its clear, open and uniform response across all 6 strings. Striking the perfect balance between the strong bass response and volume of the dreadnought and the intimate, balanced sound of the Parlor, the tone is well suited to both chordal and melodic playing styles. The Sitka Spruce top projects beautifully, delivering ample volume and dynamic range whilst retaining clarity throughout. The East Indian Rosewood back and sides add a warmth and character to the sound which is well complemented by the brightness of the Spruce top. A beautifully made and aesthetically understated instrument, perfect for the discerning fingerstyle player.