A World Class Collaboration Between Eric Clapton and Hiroshi Fujiwara
Imagine a guitar cooperatively conceived by a British musical icon and a Japanese trendsetter, built by America's most respected guitar company and affectionately given an Italian name. Now stop imagining and start anticipating the new Martin Eric Clapton/Hiroshi Fujiwara Bellezza Nera, among the most stunning looking and sounding limited editions in Martin history.
Production is limited to only 410 instruments! Get your Eric Clapton Belleza Bianca while they last!!
A legendary musician and performer for more than 40 years, Eric Clapton needs no introduction. Hiroshi Fujiwara stands as one of modern Japan's most important cultural figures, a visionary DJ responsible for creating and introducing cutting-edge "club" music and fashions to Tokyo in the 1990s. The two became friends while working together on music projects.
During one of Clapton's visits to Japan, he and Fujiwara began envisioning a custom acoustic guitar that blended the best in design and sound. Over time, the ideas were fleshed out and, with Martin's Dick Boak facilitating the project, C.F. Martin built 8 of these unique custom guitars. One can be seen on the cover of Clapton's recent album dedicated to the music of blues great Robert Johnson, "Me & Mr. Johnson," while another appears on the cover of Dick Boak's recent book, "Martin Guitar Masterpieces." The completed guitars were so breathtaking that Eric, Hiroshi and Martin agreed to collaborate on a limited edition version for the public.
At Eric Clapton's suggestion, the model is named in Italian, the language of music -- "Bellezza" meaning beautiful and "Bianca" meaning white. The polished white gloss finished body, neck and headplate, and African Black Ebony fingerboard and bridge on this 14-fret 000 -- Clapton's favorite Martin model -- provides an eye-catching "canvas" for some beautiful yet tasteful inlays and appointments.
The unique custom rosette that adorns the soundhole features a center ring of Martin's traditional small Mother Of Pearl slotted square inlays set against a white background. Fine pattern herringbone encircles the top, while bold pattern herringbone bordered in white bisects the back. The polished headplate provides an elegant backdrop for Martin's elaborate "alternative torch" inlay, a design originally created on one of the first Martin 00-45s in 1902 and revived in 2000 for Eric Clapton 000-42EC Signature Edition.
Equally striking are specially made sterling silver-plated Schaller tuners with sterling silver-plated buttons. The fingerboard features Martin's Style 45 snowflake inlays, with "Bellezza Bianca" inlaid in script above the last fret in mother of pearl.
Within the Bellezza Bianca's handsome appointments lies a tone monster, crafted in the Martin tradition. Premium Solid tonewoods are featured throughout. The top is solid Engelmann Spruce, revered for its rich, powerful tone. The back and sides are crafted from solid Pacific Big Leaf Flame Maple.
Technical Info
Model: 000-ECHF Bellezza Bianca
Construction: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint
Body SIZE: 000-14 Fret
Top: Solid Engelmann Spruce
Rosette: Custom Design w/ White Fiber Inlay Borders on Both Rings
Top Bracing Pattern: 000 14-Fret
Top Braces: Scalloped 5/16' in.
Back Material: Solid Pacific Big Leaf Flame Maple
Back Purfling: Fine Herringbone w/ 18 Style Black and White Fiber Strip
Side Material: Solid Pacific Big Leaf Flame Maple
Endpiece: Grained Ivoroid
Endpiece Inlay: B/W/B/W Pattern
Binding: Grained Ivoroid
Top Inlay Style: Fine Herringbone
Side Inlay: B/W/B/W Boltaron
Back Inlay: Multiple B/W Pattern
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Neck Shape: Modified V
Nut Material: Bone
Headstock: Solid/Diamond/ SquareTaper
Headplate: Solid Black Ebony /Alternate Torch Pattern - Select Pearl
Heelcap: Grained Ivoroid with B/W/B/W Inlay
Fingerboard Material: Solid Black Ebony
Scale Length: 24.in.
# of Frets Clear: 14
# of Frets Total: 20
Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1-3/4 in.
Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2-1/4 in.
Fingerboard Position Inlays: Style 45 Snowflake- Abalone/Bellezza Bianca In M.O.P. Between 19th & 20th Frets
Fingerboard Binding: Grained Ivoroid
Finish Back & Sides: Polished Gloss
Finish Top: White Polished Gloss
Finish Neck: White Polished Gloss
Bridge Material: Solid Black Ebony
Bridge Style: Standard Belly
Bridge String Spacing: 2 1/4 in.
Saddle: 16 in. Radius/Compensated/Bone
Tuning Machines: Gotoh Silver Plated
Recommended Strings: Martin MSP 4100 Light Phosphor Bronze
Bridge & End Pins: Ebony w/ Abalone Pearl Dots
Pickguard: Black
Case: 533EW Geib style
Interior Label: Special White Label Signed By CFM IV, Eric Clapton, Hiroshi Fujiwara, and Dick Boak (Edition Size Closed at 410)
Other Comments: All prices & specifications are subject to change without notice
