To commemorate three decades of collaboration with Eric Clapton, Martin has introduced the 000-EC 30th Anniversary—a refined take on one of the most iconic artist signature guitars. When Clapton took the stage for his 1992 MTV Unplugged session, he played a 1939 Martin 000-42—a prewar gem that, for many listeners, redefined what an acoustic guitar could sound like in the hands of a master. That historic performance sparked renewed interest in small-body Martins and inspired the launch of the 000-28EC signature model in 1996.
Celebrating 30 years of the Eric Clapton model, the limited-edition 000-EC 30th Anniversary is a refined tribute that honors both the artist and the guitar that started it all. With a solid Spruce top and East Indian Rosewood back and sides, the 000 body delivers warmth, clarity, and balance with rich overtones. The 24.9" scale and compact body make it very comfortable in your hands, and the short scale lends a smoother attack, whereas longer-scale OMs sometimes sound overly snappy and harsh. On the wall, there's a sweetness to the sound that sets the 000-EC apart from other Martins.
Visually, the 30th Anniversary model boasts tasteful nods to Martin's prewar aesthetic: a 1930s-appropriate "C.F. Martin & Co" script decal on the peghead and Golden Era Style-42 Snowflake inlays that look gorgeous on an unbound ebony fingerboard. The top is framed in fine herringbone purfling, which matches the elegant herringbone rosette. In terms of feel, the 000-EC has a modified V neck that is slimmed down to a more manageable 1-11/16" nut width, offering a more modern playability while preserving the vintage vibe.
The 000-EC 30th Anniversary will only be sold through March of 2026, and each one has a commemorative label in the soundhole as well as Clapton's signature stamped into the center strip. It includes a deluxe TKL case that has Clapton's signature embroidered on the lid, completing the package of a special limited edition Martin.
- Body Size: 000-14 Fret
- Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
- Top: Spruce
- Back & Sides: East Indian Rosewood
- Top Color: Antique Toner
- Top Inlay Material: Fine Herringbone
- Rosette: Fine Herringbone with Multi-Stripe
- Body Finish: Gloss
- Back Purfling/Strip: Zig-Zag
- Back & Side Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
- Binding: Antique White
- Heelcap: Antique White
- Endpiece: Antique White w/ Multi-Stripe Inlay
- Bracing: Scalloped X-Brace
- Brace Material: Spruce, 5/16"
- Scale Length: 24.9"
- Neck Material: Genuine Mahogany
- Neck Shape: Authentic 1939 w/ Standard Taper
- Neck Finish: Dark Mahogany Gloss
- Fingerboard Material: Ebony
- Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 11/16"
- Fingerboard Inlay Style: GE Style-42 Snowflake w/ Select Abalone
- Headstock Shape: Solid with 1939 Taper
- Headplate Material: East Indian Rosewood
- Headplate Logo Style: Authentic Script Style Overlay
- Tuning Machines: Nickel Open Gear w/ Butterbean knobs
- Nut Material: Bone
- Bridge: Ebony: Modern Belly w/ Drop in Saddle & 2-1/8" string spacing
- Saddle: Compensated Bone, 16" Radius
- Bridge Pin Material: White Plastic w/ Abalone Dot inlays
- Pickguard: Tortoise