Overview
Brand name:
Product:
- acoustic guitars
Series name:
Dates of manufacture:
Martin introduced the Bellezza Nera model in 2004. The Bellezza Nera design concept was a collaboration between Eric Clapton and Hiroshi Fujiwara: and C.F. Martin initially made eight prototypes before releasing the model as a limited edition to the public. There was also a white version - the 2006 Belleza Bianca model.
Martin announced the 000-ECHF BELLEZZA NERA in the July 2004 Sounding Board newsletter as follows:
"Imagine a guitar cooperatively conceived by a British musical icon and a Japanese trend setter, 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.
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 fast 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 eight 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 and 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 “Nera” meaning black.
The polished black gloss finished body, neck and head plate, and matching 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 sound hole features a center ring of Martin’s traditional small mother of pearl slotted square inlays set against a black background. Fine pattern herringbone wood inlay encircles the top, and herringbone purfling bisects the back.
Grained ivoroid body binding is accented by black/white/black fine line purfling on the sides and back. The neck and headstock are similarly bound with grained ivoroid, within which mitered fine line inlays – black/white on the neck, black/white/black on the headstock – add an extra measure of visual drama. The grained ivoroid heelcap and end piece sport matching black/white/black line inlays.
The polished head plate 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, inlaid here in colorful abalone pearl. This pattern was revived for the Eric Clapton 000-42EC Signature Edition issued in 2000.
Equally striking are the specially-made sterling silver- plated Schaller tuners with sterling silver-plated buttons. The fingerboard features Martin’s Style 45 snowflake inlays, with “Bellezza Nera” inlaid in script above the last fret in mother of pearl. Black ebony bridge pins and end pin are topped with abalone pearl dots. To allow its elegance to shine unrestrained, this guitar comes without a pick guard.
Within the Bellezza Nera’s handsome appointments lies a tone monster crafted in the Martin tradition. Premium solid tone woods are featured throughout. The top is Italian alpine spruce, (the same tone wood used by Antonio Stradivari) revered for its rich, powerful tone. Scalloped 5/16” top braces contribute crispness and balance. The back and sides are crafted from East Indian rosewood, which provides both strong projection and roundness to the tonal palette. The modified V-shaped neck measures a comfortable 1 3/4” at the nut. Carved from solid genuine mahogany, the neck features Martin’s diamond volute at the base of the headstock.
The nut and compensated saddle are made from genuine bone to assure impressive string-to-string definition. Each Bellezza Nera includes a special black interior label personally signed by Eric Clapton, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Martin Artist Relations head Dick Boak and Martin Chairman C.F. Martin IV. In keeping with the black theme, this guitar comes with a special Geib™ style hard shell case with black plush interior and black anodized hardware. "
Specifications (16)
General
Finish colors | black finish |
Finish effects | gloss finish |
Made in | USA |
Number of strings | 6 strings |
Scale length | 24.9 inches scale-length |
Body
Body back material | Indian rosewood body back, rosewood body back |
Body sides material | rosewood body sides |
Body top material | Alpine spruce body top |
Soundhole rosette | pearl rosette |
Neck
Body fret | Neck joins body at 14th fret |
Neck material | mahogany neck |
Number of frets | 20 fret |
Hardware
Bridge | ebony bridge |
Tuners | Schaller tuners |
Fretboard
Fingerboard material | ebony fingerboard |
Fingerboard position markers | snowflake fingerboard position markers |