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127th AES Convention Coverage (New York, NY Oct. 9-12)
PRESS RELEASE
Martin Introduces Babyface Signature Guitar
April 29, 2000
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In honor of the award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, C.F. Martin & Co. has introduced the 000-16RB "Babyface" Signature Model guitar. Babyface is the winner of ten Grammy awards, including "Producer of the Year" for three consecutive years (a Grammy first). His 119 top-ten R&B and pop hits, his 47 number one R&B hits, his 51 top ten pop hits, including 16 number ones, have produced sales of over 30 million singles and 80 million albums. Babyface's "I'll Make Love To You," and "End of the World," performedby Boyz II Men, made pop music history for the length of stay on the charts. His "Take a Bow," recorded by Madonna, became her 11th number one pop single and established her as the all-time female record holder for the most number one pop singles. In addition to Boyz II Men and Madonna, Babyface has written and produced hit songs for many of contemporary music's most popular superstars including Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Mary J. Blidge, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Williams, TLC, Brandy and Eric Clapton. In addition to Boyz II Men and Madonna, Babyface has written and produced hit songs for many of contemporary music's most popular superstars including Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Mary J. Blidge, Faith Evans, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Williams, TLC, Brandy and Eric Clapton. "Babyface" was first exposed to Martin guitars during his friendship and collaboration with Eric Clapton. In fact, the 000C-16RB model draws its inspiration from the extremely popular "000-EC" Eric Clapton signature models which both "Babyface" and Eric Clapton played on the award-winning recording of "Change The World". Martin's small bodied 000 size is especially popular among fingerstyle and blues guitarists who prefer a clear and balanced sound together with the string flexibility that the shorter 24.9" scale length allows. The 000C-16RB Babyface Signature Edition is a rounded Venetian full access cutaway model crafted with solid woods throughout. The sides and back are constructed with genuine East Indian Rosewood for tonal warmth. The soundboard is bookmatched from rare Alpine spruce which when combined with Martin's scalloped X-brace pattern yields a distinct tonal clarity and balance. The soundhole rosette is inlaid with highly colorfal abalone pearl, and the perimeter of the top is inlaid with Martin's fine pattern herringbone wood marquetry and bordered with grained ivoroid. Prior to the application of multiple coats of polished gloss lacquer, the top is tinted with a golden "vintage toner" to further enhance this instrument's pre-war styling. As an additional enhancement to fingerstyle technique, the genuine mahogany neck is carved to a comfortable modified V-shape with an "OM" (Orchestra Model) neck width of 1 3/4." A fingerboard of genuine ebony features Martin's historic long pattern abalone diamond and square inlay pattern, and Kenny Edmonds' "Babyface" signature is inlaid in pearl between the 19th and 20th frets. Martin/Gotoh vintage styled tuning machines are open geared with chrome plated butterbean knobs. The 000C-16RB Babyface Signature Edition is offered without a pickguard, though a polished and beveled tortoise colored pickguard is optional if specified at the point of ordering. A deluxe Geib Style™ hardshell case is included with each instrument. Babyface is a left handed player who, like many "lefties," learned to play using right handed instruments turned "upside down." To accommodate his unusual playing style, Babyface's personal edition instrument is a left-handed cutaway, strung "righty." With respect for lefty-handed players, the edition will be offered in left-handed or right-handed versions at the same price. Each 000C-16RB will bear an interior label individually numbered in sequence with the edition total (i.e. 1 of 100, 2 of 100, etc.) and each label will be personally signed by Kenny Edmonds and Martin Chairman and CEO C.F. Martin, IV. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each 000C-16RB Babyface Signature Edition will be donated to The United Negro College Fund, the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization. Martin Guitar dealers will begin to take orders for the 000C-16RB Babyface Signature model guitars immediately, though the edition will not begin to appear in stores until the summer of 2000. The Martin Guitar Company dates back to the 1830s when Christian Frederick Martin, Sr. moved to the United States from Germany. The guitar shop he set up over 165 years ago has been continuously family owned and operated. Current Chairman and CEO Chris Martin, IV is the sixth generation Martin to head this venerable company. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.martinguitar.com/.Recent Martin headlines
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