ERIC CLAPTON | For 30 years, Martin and Eric Clapton have been shaping the sound of acoustic music together. To celebrate this iconic partnership, we’re unveiling two all-new, limited-edition models—the 000-42EC 30th Anniversary and 000-EC 30th Anniversary. Inspired by the guitars Eric played during his legendary MTV Unplugged performance, these instruments embody the tone, feel, and craftsmanship that have made a lasting mark on music history. A fitting tribute to one of music’s greatest collaborations.

000-42EC 30th Anniversary

  • Guatemalan rosewood back & sides
  • Adirondack spruce top & Golden Era scalloped X-bracing
  • Genuine mahogany neck with Authentic 1939 profile
  • Bound ebony fingerboard with Golden Era 42-style snowflake inlay
  • Full vintage gloss finish
  • Waverly open-gear tuners with relic nickel finish
  • Paper label hand-signed by Eric Clapton
  • Premium embroidered Harptone case with matching shroud
  • Limited to 300 guitars

000-EC 30th Anniversary

  • East Indian rosewood back & sides
  • Spruce top & scalloped X-bracing
  • Genuine mahogany neck with Authentic 1939 profile
  • Ebony fingerboard with Golden Era 42-style snowflake inlay
  • Full gloss finish
  • Nickel open-gear tuners
  • Paper label with Eric Clapton's pre-printed signature
  • Premium embroidered case
  • Only available through March 2026

Clapton’s Choice Acoustic Guitar Strings

Eric Clapton loves his Martin acoustic guitar strings so much that he wanted to endorse them. We are proud and honored that Martin makes the strings Eric trusts to produce his legendary guitar sound. 

Eric Clapton & Martin Guitar: A Legendary Partnership

For three decades, Eric Clapton and Martin have shared a legendary partnership, with Eric inspiring more Martin signature models than any other artist. His iconic 1992 MTV Unplugged performance sparked a revival in acoustic guitar popularity, and his 000-28EC, introduced in 1996, remains one of the best-selling guitars in the company's history. Eric once said, "If I could choose what to come back as, it would be a Martin OM-45." His influence on acoustic music—and Martin—is undeniable.

Eric Clapton with his guitar

Signature Stories with Dick Boak: Eric Clapton

Other Models From Eric Clapton

1995

000-42EC

Inspired by the guitars Eric played during MTV Unplugged, this limited run of 461 guitars features 45-style snowflake inlays and sold out within hours at The NAMM Show, marking the start of a decades-long partnership.

1996

000-28EC

Designed as a simpler, more accessible version of his original signature model, Eric said the 000-28EC is "the best-sounding acoustic guitar I’ve EVER played." It quickly became one of Martin’s best-selling guitars and remains a staple in the lineup to this day.

2000

000-42ECB

With only 200 made, this exquisite model features Brazilian rosewood back and sides, intricate pearl and abalone inlays, and a vintage-inspired vine headstock design—making it one of his most sought-after signature editions.

2002

000-28ECB

Introduced in a limited run of 500, this model features Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a Sitka spruce top, and elegant pearl and ivoroid accents—a beautifully crafted tribute to Eric's enduring partnership with Martin.

2005

000-ECHF Bellezza Nera

This sleek, all-black model was designed in collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara and limited to 476 guitars. With elegant detailing and a striking gloss finish, it’s a bold evolution of Eric's iconic signature guitars.

2006

000-ECHF Bellezza Bianca

A striking follow-up to the Bellezza Nera, this Fujiwara collaboration features an all-white finish with maple back and sides. Its unique colorway and cream ivoroid binding create a bold look, making it a standout signature model.

2008

000-42MEC

Limited to 250 guitars, this model features a Carpathian spruce top, Madagascar rosewood back and sides, and abalone pearl inlays. Fully bound in grained ivoroid, it blends rich tone with elegant, detailed craftsmanship.

2009

000-28MEC

This 28-style model features a Carpathian spruce top, Madagascar rosewood back and sides, and elegant herringbone trim. A total of 461 guitars were made available, making it a refined addition to Eric's signature lineup.

2011

000-42ECJM

Limited to just 100 guitars and available exclusively in Japan, this model features an Adirondack spruce top, Madagascar rosewood back and sides, and intricate 42-style snowflake inlays—making it a rare and highly collectible signature edition.

2014

OM-ECHF Navy Blues

Nearly a decade after the Bellezza Nera, Eric, Martin, and Fujiwara reunited to create this OM model with a longer 25.4" scale length and a striking navy blue finish—offering a fresh twist on a classic design.

2019

000-42EC-Z

Among the most luxurious signature guitars Martin has ever produced, this limited-edition model features ziricote back and sides, a VTS Sitka spruce top, and intricate pearl and maple detailing—designed to benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua.

2023

Crossroads Collection

Supporting the Crossroads Centre’s mission, Eric previously collaborated with Martin and Guitar Center in 2013 to create three limited-edition 000 models. This time, he designed three Dreadnoughts—the D-45 Brazilian, D-45 Madagascar, and Signature D-28.