Get the new Martin M-21 Steve Earle from the people who helped design it.
With Texas roots, Nashville credentials, New York sensibilities and maverick spirit, singer/songwriter Steve Earle leaves any preconceived notions regarding his music in the dust. That includes the guitars he plays, and helps explain how the new Martin M-21 Steve Earle Custom Edition came to be.
In 2005, Earle moved to New York City and soon found his way to Matt Umanov Guitars. Matt, who has been matching players with instruments since 1965, guided his new customer in the purchase of a few Martin guitars and along the way introduced him to the M body style, which combines jumbo (0000) size with 000 depth. Umanov knows the body style well; his conversion of an old Martin archtop for David Bromberg in the 1960s served as the pattern for the Martin M in the 1970s (for additional information, see the David Bromberg article in the July 2006 Sounding Board). The Martin M quickly became Earle's favorite acoustic, so much so that he now tours with a pair of them.
His enthusiasm for the Martin "M" jump-started development of a Martin Steve Earle signature guitar. Earle turned to Umanov for help with the details and together they created the Martin M-21 Steve Earle Custom Edition, a "poor man's" M that showcases this body style's big, balanced sound and playing comfort in an elegant, affordable package.
Delivered in a blue molded hardshell case, each Martin M-21 Steve Earle Custom Edition guitar features an interior label personally signed by Steve Earle and Matt Umanov, numbered in sequence without a total.
