The enduring relationship between Martin Guitars and Clapton began with this guitar and has far-reaching consequences.

Crafted in collaboration with Eric Clapton's vision, the 000-42EC Limited Edition model incorporates two of his iconic vintage Martin 000 small acoustic guitars that he frequently played. These guitars gained significant popularity through Clapton's MTV Unplugged shows and subsequent Grammy-winning album releases. Drawing inspiration from the 1939 000-42 vintage guitar and the 1966 000-28 vintage guitar, Clapton's modified 000-28 features a ‘Style 45’ fretboard, headstock, and top-grade pearl enhancements designed by Martin historian and inlay artist Mike Longworth. The most beloved attributes of these instruments were skillfully combined and optimized to create the Martin Limited Edition 000-42EC in 1995.

The guitar features a smaller "000" body size, accompanied by a short 24.9" scale length, which has gained immense popularity among fingerstyle and blues guitarists. The tasteful appointments of the 000-42EC include a Tortoise-colored pickguard, a C. F. Martin headplate adorned with ‘Style 45’ Pearl Inlay, and Ivoroid bindings. The soundboard perimeter showcases meticulously inlaid highly colored ‘Style 42’ Abalone Pearl top Inlay. Crafted with premium solid woods, the sides and back feature exquisite solid East Indian rosewood, while the top is made from select quartersawn Sitka spruce, bookmatched for optimal quality. Vintage-style Martin gold-plated open-geared tuning machines with unique "Butterbean" knobs add a touch of elegance. The genuine Ebony fingerboard displays the original ‘Style 45’ snowflake pattern in abalone pearl, and Eric Clapton's signature is delicately inlaid in mother of pearl between the 19th and 20th frets.

Each guitar is individually numbered and personally signed by Eric Clapton and C. F. Martin IV. The number "461" is derived from Clapton's 1974 comeback album titled "461 Ocean Boulevard," which corresponds to the address of the house he rented in Florida during the album's recording sessions.

Solid Sitka Spruce Top

Solid Rosewood Back and Sides

000 Body Size

14th Fret Neck/Body Joint

Sitka Spruce 5/16” Scalloped X Bracing

Genuine Mahogany Neck with Modified “V” Shape

Black Ebony Fretboard

Style 45 Snowflake Fretboard Inlays with Eric Clapton Signature

Rosewood Headplate with Torch Inlay

Style 45 Rosette

Ivoroid Fretboard Binding

24.9" Scale Length

1-3/4" Nut Width

Bone Nut and Saddle

Fossilized Ivory Bridge Pins

Waverly Gold Tuners with Butterbean Knobs16" Radius

2-1/4” Bridge String Spacing

20 Frets