From the Factory | February 4, 2026
NAMM 2026 Recap: What’s New from Martin Guitar
A recap of the instruments, artists, and standout moments that set the tone for 2026.
The 2026 NAMM Show was one for the books—and Martin Guitar showed up with one of our most diverse and forward-looking lineups yet. From a fully refreshed Road Series built to guide players at every stage, to boundary-pushing new body shapes, artist collabs, and heirloom-level instruments, this year’s show was all about momentum.
Whether you were walking the floor in Anaheim or following along from home, NAMM 2026 made one thing clear: the future of acoustic music is deeply rooted in tradition—but it’s never standing still.
Let’s dive into what we unveiled.
Launched January 14, 2026
Road Series Refresh
Meet the all-new Road Series—your road to what’s next. Now 20 models strong, with 18 newly introduced or refreshed guitars, the Road Series has been fully reimagined to offer players a clearer, more intuitive path forward.
The lineup is built around two distinct directions: Retro, for players drawn to classic Martin looks and familiar feel, and Modern, for those who want contemporary comfort and performance. Every model features a solid wood top, scalloped X-bracing, onboard electronics, and a softshell case, with body shapes spanning 000, OM, Dreadnought, GP, and the innovative SC.
Designed to support every step of a player’s journey—from first gig to next chapter—the refreshed Road Series delivers trusted Martin tone at approachable price points, all while giving players more choice than ever before.
Learn more here.
Launched January 19, 2026
Super D-18 & Super HD-28
The Super D-18 takes a legendary formula and turns up the volume—literally. With the Super D body offering 20% more internal air volume than a standard Dreadnought, this guitar delivers massive bass, expanded dynamics, and serious headroom.
A spruce top paired with genuine mahogany back and sides keeps the voice warm, punchy, and clear, while forward-shifted Golden Era scalloped X-bracing adds responsiveness and power. Finished with classic Style 18 appointments, the Super D-18 is built for players who want the biggest possible voice without sacrificing feel or tradition.
Learn more here.
If you love the complexity and depth of rosewood, the Super HD-28 takes things even further. Sharing the same Super D body, this model pairs a solid spruce top with East Indian rosewood back and sides for thunderous projection and lush overtones that only get better with time.
Golden Era scalloped bracing, herringbone trim, antique white binding, and diamond-and-square inlays ground the guitar firmly in Style 28 tradition—just with a whole lot more air moving inside. It’s a bold evolution of a true icon.
Learn more here.
Martin O’ahu® K-42 Hibiscus
One of the most talked-about guitars of the show, the Martin O’ahu K-42 Hibiscus blends historic inspiration with a true first for Martin: a K-sized 12-fret body fitted with a 14-fret neck.
Crafted with broad-flamed koa back and sides and a reclaimed spruce top—used only once before in Martin history—this limited-edition model is as visually striking as it is sonically rich. Ornate hibiscus inlays, Style 42 detailing, Madagascar rosewood binding, and premium hardware complete the picture. Limited to just 100 instruments, the K-42 Hibiscus is a statement piece where heritage and innovation meet.
Learn more here.
Custom Shop M Paisley Ember Burst
Designed by Martin President and CEO Thomas Ripsam, the Custom Shop M Paisley Ember Burst is a one-year-only creation that stopped plenty of people in their tracks.
An Engelmann spruce top showcases custom paisley artwork woven with iconic Martin design elements, paired with quilted maple back and sides under a warm Ember Burst finish. Forward-shifted Golden Era bracing, premium appointments, L.R. Baggs® Anthem™ electronics, and a hand-signed custom label bring it all together. It’s a bold, expressive Custom Shop build with unmistakable personality.
Learn more here.
Launched January 21, 2026
D-18 Molly Tuttle
Inspired by Molly Tuttle’s cherished 1943 D-18, this signature model honors vintage bluegrass tradition while reflecting Molly’s unmistakable style. A slim 1 11/16" nut, authentic 1940s neck profile, and rear-shifted Golden Era scalloped bracing deliver the fast feel and punch flatpickers love.
Custom moon phase inlays, a vintage burst top, silver headplate logo, and oval tuner buttons add personal touches, while a light blue molded hardshell case offers a nostalgic nod to Martin’s 1970s cases. It’s a deeply personal artist model built to be played hard and often.
Learn more here.
D-X2E Molly Tuttle
Bringing the same inspiration to a more accessible, road-ready build, the D-X2E Molly Tuttle marks the first X Series model with a 1 11/16" nut and 1940s-style neck profile.
With a solid spruce top, scalloped X-bracing, durable mahogany-patterned HPL back and sides, and Martin E1 electronics, it delivers signature feel, look, and tone in a package designed for life on the move.
Learn more here.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While several major launches took center stage at the show, NAMM 2026 also gave us the opportunity to offer a closer look at what’s coming next—and to spotlight ongoing projects that continue to evolve.
Project 91
Project 91 remains one of the most ambitious and historically significant undertakings in Martin history. This extraordinary collection faithfully recreates each of the 91 original pre-war D-45s—among the most revered acoustic guitars ever built—with every modern instrument directly tied to a specific vintage serial number.
At NAMM 2026, we showcased two especially meaningful examples: #5, featuring a unique double pickguard, and #6, the final 12-fret pre-war D-45 ever produced. Seeing these instruments up close offered attendees a rare glimpse into Martin’s golden-era craftsmanship, reimagined with uncompromising detail.
A small number of the first Project 91 guitars are already making their way to select Martin dealers, giving players and collectors an early chance to experience these remarkable instruments up close. Additional releases are planned later this year.
Each registered owner will also receive a framed poster linking their guitar to its original pre-war counterpart—further deepening the connection between past and present.
Learn more here.
A Historic Drop-In: The 1938 Sunburst D-45
Matt Swanson—renowned guitar collector and DUMBLE® owner—also stopped by the booth to share a true piece of Martin history with Chris Martin IV and the team: his extraordinary 1938 D-45, the guitar that Project 91 #13 is based on.
It stands alone in the pre-war lineup as the only D-45 with a shaded sunburst top and is the first D-45 built with rear-shifted top bracing and Style 45 hexagon fingerboard inlays. It’s also the only example featuring F-9 fingerboard stripes and a tortoise headplate, making it one of the most distinctive and historically important D-45s ever produced—and a remarkable reference point for the precision and care behind Project 91.
Accessories, Lifestyle & Parts: Expanding the Martin Experience
Beyond instruments, Martin introduced a range of new Accessories, Lifestyle & Parts products designed to extend Martin craftsmanship and identity into everyday life—and onto showroom walls.
The Molly Tuttle Signature Strap made its debut with moon phase artwork that visually connects to her signature guitars, finished with refined embossing and stitching.
Apparel also took a step forward with the refreshed Modern Heritage Collection, featuring a black-and-gold palette inspired by classic Martin inlay work, alongside an extension of the Custom Shop Collection that mirrors the elevated feel of Martin’s highest-tier builds.
For players drawn to timeless style, the Road Series Retro Collection brings classic colors and minimalist design into accessible, go-anywhere accessories. And the Unleash the Artist Within T-shirt, printed in seven languages, reinforces Martin’s core belief that creativity knows no boundaries.
On the retail side, a new Martin Script Logo Sign was designed to elevate in-store visibility and help create a confident, premium showroom environment for dealers.
Shop all gear and accessories here.
More Than a Booth: Martin at NAMM 2026
Held January 21–24 in Anaheim, California, The NAMM Show once again brought together the global music industry for four days of connection, education, and inspiration. With more than 200 sessions covering business, AI, leadership, marketing, and product training, NAMM 2026 underscored how quickly the industry continues to evolve.
Throughout the show, the Martin Stage hosted live performances from artists including Jann Klose, Marcella Detroit, and Rachel Flowers, Nick Hames, Ariel Posen, Josh Sahunta, Laurence Juber, Water Tower, Ferry Townes, Cash & Skye, Richie Owens with Bob Ocker, Kenny Sultan with Martin signature artist and clinician Craig Thatcher, and many more—bringing music to the show floor all week long. The stage also became a space for deeper conversation, with in-development “Behind the Design” and Martin history panels offering attendees insight into the people, processes, and ideas shaping Martin instruments.
Beyond the booth, the NAMM press event delivered a memorable highlight when signature artist Molly Tuttle made a surprise appearance, joining Martin President and CEO Thomas Ripsam to speak about—and play—her signature guitars, giving media and guests a firsthand look at the inspiration and details behind the models.
From the Grand Rally for Music Education to evening award shows and live performances, NAMM once again proved why it remains the most important annual gathering for the music products industry.
Until Next Time
From a fully refreshed Road Series to powerful new Super D models, meaningful artist collaborations, and a look ahead at what’s coming next, NAMM 2026 captured a pivotal moment for Martin Guitar.
Explore the newest releases through your local Martin dealer or by browsing our website—and stay tuned. The road ahead is just getting started.
Until next time, happy playing!
