Putting folk-rock and country-rock on the map as leader of the Byrds, Roger McGuinn has built his 45-year career on the cutting edge. So when McGuinn came to Martin for a custom guitar, they expected something radical. They got it: a unique seven-string instrument.

Roger McGuinn HD7 Signature Edition at the 2005 Winter NAMM Show [ Photo by Brent Peters]

Closeup of bridge on the Roger McGuinn HD7 Signature Edition [Photo by Brent Peters]

Roger McGuinn's inlaid signature on the HD7 Signature Edition [Photo by Brent Peters]

After the success of the D-45SS, Stills went back to work making music. In truth, he probably should be considered a force of nature: after nearly 40 years, two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash (both in 1997), dozens of albums and hundreds of concerts, this musical legend is busier than ever. In 2004 alone, he toured with Crosby, Stills & Nash, received the UNICEF Children's Champion Award, put the finishing touches on a new solo album scheduled for release early in 2005, participated in interviews for a three-DVD Crosby, Stills & Nash video package and helped prepare his long-awaited "Best Of" solo anthology. To top it off, Stephen's wife Kristin gave birth to Oliver Ragland Stills in October of 2004.

Yet when Martin offered him the opportunity to create a second Signature Edition, he happily took on the challenge. Indeed, he already had a design in mind: the original Martin 000-45 with an elongated body and 12-fret neck. While a rarity - only 142 were built between 1907 and 1931 -- it's a classic instrument Stills knows well: he has owned one for more than 30 years and featured it (along with a stuffed giraffe -- more on this later) on the cover of his impressive debut solo album, "Stills." After a bit of "back and forth" to get the details exactly right, C.F. Martin is pleased to present the 000-45S Stephen Stills Signature Edition.

Stephen Stills 000-45S Signature Edition at the 2005 Winter NAMM Show [ Photo by Brent Peters]

Stephen Still's inlaid signature [Photo by Brent Peters]

Steve Miller has been a busy man in the four years since Martin introduced his beautiful and popular 00-37K SM and 00-37K2 SM Signature Edition guitars. Two CDs, "King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents the Steve Miller Band" and "Young Hearts: Complete Greatest Hits," were released, and Steve wrote the forward to "Martin Guitar Masterpieces," Dick Boak's handsome book on Martin artist editions, limited editions and custom guitars. There were also extensive concert tours including 2004's headlining at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The Beal Street Blues Festival, and the Aspen Jazz Festival, among others.

Along the way, Steve found time to collaborate with Martin on the design of an impressive new Martin guitar: the 000C Steve Miller Pegasus Signature Edition. Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology, is Miller's personal logo and appears on many of his albums and custom instruments.

The Steve Miller OOOC Pegasus Signature Edition

The top of Engelmann spruce, prized for quick response and rich timbre, features Martin's Hybrid scalloped bracing. The back and sides are crafted from solid quilted mahogany with lightly quilted figuring. The 000C Steve Miller Pegasus Signature Edition is a guitar built for comfort. This true 000 features the short 24.9" scale, which lowers string tension and shortens the distance between frets. The rounded Venetian cutaway provides easy access to the entire fingerboard. The OM width fingerboard (1¾" at the nut) and low oval neck enhance fretting ease. A chrome strap pin at the heel of the neck and factory-installed non-invasive Fishman "Ellipse Blend" electronics contribute to stage or studio-readiness right out of the case.

Headstock of the Steve Miller OOOC Pegasus Signature Edition

Mike Longworth was a renaissance man in the truest sense of the word. During nearly 30 years at C.F. Martin & Co., he helped resurrect the legendary D-45, designed the popular D-41, answered thousands of letters from Martin owners and wrote the first reference book on Martin guitars. A revered member of the C.F. Martin & Co. family, he retired in 1995. His was a full life, but, sadly, not one full of years: he died in 2003 at the much-too-young age of 64. In tribute to his many contributions, Martin takes pride in presenting the D-45 Mike Longworth Commemorative Edition.

Mike Longworth D-45 Commemorative Edition at the 2005 Winter NAMM Show [ Photo by Brent Peters]

The polished East Indian rosewood headplate provides a spectacular canvas for the familiar "C.F. Martin & Co." script logo in mother of pearl, below which is nestled the classic Martin torch from the 1930s in abalone pearl. The lavish use of abalone pearl continues on the fingerboard with Golden Era snowflake inlays. Mike Longworth's legendary "L" inlay, a tradition he carried over from his previous custom work, is positioned between the 19th and 20th frets. Respecting Mike's strong belief that acoustic meant acoustic, his commemorative instrument is not available with electronic sound reinforcement.