Martin OM45 Roy Rogers Prototype 4 of 4 2005

Special Martins are no strangers to us here at The Fellowship of Acoustics, but this OM45 is truly special! The guitar is one of only four prototypes of the OM45 Roy Rogers that was introduced in 2006!

Of the four guitars built, two remained in Martin’s possession, and two were sold. This particular example is #4 of this small series, and the guitar was sold in 2008 through auction house Christie’s in New York as part of a series of 49 of the most exceptional guitars from the collection and archives of Martin Guitars itself.

As a prototype of the OM45 Roy Rogers, this guitar was decorated just like the original 1930 model that the ‘King of Cowboys’ bought in a second-hand shop in 1933 for only $30. In 1930, Martin built 15 of these OM45 Deluxes, and this model therefore served as inspiration for the guitar built as a tribute to the cowboy legend. The guitar is constructed from an Indian rosewood body with a Sitka spruce top, supported by forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing. As a representative of the 45 series, abalone ornamentation is found throughout, from the bindings and fretboard inlays to the pickguard.

This OM45 proves that a special guitar does not always have to be kept in its case; light wear marks and a small object can be found on the top, and the pickguard also has small scratches. Furthermore, there are light wear marks on the back of the body, and the lacquer on the side of the nut shows some crazing. The guitar, however, is exceptionally clean, and is a special model that the enthusiast will not get enough of!

Consignment.