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c.2004 Martin CF-1
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Body size at lower bout: 17" Body Depth: 3" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .92/.95
Materials: Arched fine-grained Alpine spruce top, arched figured flame maple back, solid maple sides; 3 piece solid tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; ebony nut.
Hardware: Solid ebony hardware includes contoured tailpiece, finger rest, and compensated adjustable ebony bridge; gold Martin 510 tuners with ebony keys; custom Handwound US made Armstrong floating humbucking pickup with volume control, endpin jack.
Notes: In recent years, there's no better value in a true US made archtop guitar than the Martin CF-1. The combination of design, features, build quality and price seemed almost too good to be true. Or too good to last, in any case: unfortunately this outstanding model was withdrawn from production since the 2009 model year.
Founded in 1833, CF Martin and Co. has become the most prominent and widely imitated builder of flat top guitars in the world. Martin's history with archtops dates to 1931, and its C, R and F series models were produced until 1942. It took Martin over six decades to re-enter the archtop market, with the introduction of the CF series in this model year. Designed by noted luthier Dale Unger of American Archtop guitar fame, the CF guitars were built in Martin's Nazareth, PA factory under his direct supervision.
A true US made instrument at an amazingly affordable price, the CF-1 is a full depth 17" Venetian cutaway guitar, with an X- braced arched spruce soundboard, and US made Kent Armstrong floating pickup. Built in the lineage of the great Benedetto designs, the sleek lines of the CF-1 are accentuated by the binding-free construction, lending the instrument a clean and dramatic appearance.
At a mere 4lb 15oz, the guitar is exceptionally lightweight for a full size archtop, and is nimbly balanced on the lap. This stunning example is in 100% original condition, with no appreciable playwear, and shows stunning tiger flame maple in the body and neck. The neck profile is a flattened gentle D, with smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup, with smoothly polished medium frets on a fingerboard of solid black ebony. Tone is warm and full, and the laminate body offers superior stability and feedback resistance. (Martin typically stamped a serial number on a side rib inside this model, but we find no number on this guitar, which may indicate a prototype or employee instrument.)
Now just a memory, the CF-1 has become a player favorite, combining first-rate design, gig-ready craftsmanship, and value we may never see again. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Original black deluxe arched plush lined hardshell case.
