Martin Custom Bentley Snowflake 1st Edition #18 OF 25 With Original Hard Shell Case!
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Description:
Bentley Snowflake 1st Edition
The Martin Custom Shop designed this elegant, limited-edition model which was inspired by the photography of Wilson A. Bentley – known as the “Ansel Adams” of snowflakes. Granted exclusive rights to use Bentley’s photos, which are in custodial care of the Jericho Historical Society, Martin specially selected images to create pearl inlay snowflake designs on the headstock, fingerboard and bridge. The model also features Madagascar rosewood back and sides paired with a Sitka spruce top, so you can be sure this guitar will sound as amazing as it looks.
“Bentley Snowflake” limited-edition
Concept:
Custom Shop has been secured the opportunity to produce limited quantities of instruments featuring alternative snowflake designs inspired by Wilson A. Bentley – The “Ansel Adams” of snowflakes. While the “snowflake inlay pattern” has existed within the lexicon of C.F. Martin & Co. Inc. for generations, the silhouette has been largely unchanged. The Jericho Historical Society – custodian of the Bentley image archive- has granted C.F. Martin exclusive rights to use Bentley images for the creation of unique inlay packages. More than a simple premium instrument, preliminary collaboration with sales points to much greater appeal by providing a unique story that’s truly “Americana”, with interesting historical parallels to C.F. Martin. . . .and very limited quantities.
The Custom Shop may use specially selected Bentley Archive Images to create a seasonal inlay package including head plate, fingerboard, bridge, and possibly other elements. This seasonal snowflake theme will be utilized only once then retired. Our agreement with the Jericho Historical Society provides that each new year, a fresh design may be developed, deployed, and then similarly retired. Just as C.F. Martin occupies a special place in the history of a growing America, so too does the pioneering technique and passion of Wilson Bentley. We alone have the opportunity to offer a unique story behind a very exclusive Limited-Edition instrument.
Who was Wilson A. Bentley (1865 – 1931):
Wilson A. Bentley is acknowledged as the first person to successfully photograph a single snow crystal (1885) with a technique known as a photomicrograph. His singular book was published in 1931, with work subsequently published in Scientific American and National Geographic. Bentley came from humble circumstances - a small hard-working farm family with modest means - and lived an equally humble life. His family made sacrifices to help support his passion for photography – a hobby regarded as a luxury of the age. He lived in relative obscurity until the chance publication of his photographic collection and unfortunate death in 1931. He never got rich, never married, and left no direct descendants. He does, however, leave behind a brilliant collection of weather-related photographs and pioneering meteorological photography techniques still in use today. Bentley was the man who first stated, “no two snowflakes are alike.”
Story Below :
For generations, select guitars produced by the luthiers of C.F. Martin have received the Snowflake Inlay Theme signifying a level of materials and craft, and becoming synonymous with premium instruments. Then as now, the Snowflake Theme is a lasting visual tribute to the essence of our construction innovation and our continual quest to refine the acoustic guitar. The story of C.F. Martin is much the story of America - checkered with struggles, with soaring highs and challenging lows. But always with a deep thread of optimism and curiosity. The C.F. Martin legacy grew from humble origins and has maintained that sensibility from the very earliest days. As America grew, so too did the appeal of Martin Guitars which always contained spirit and optimism.
From similar humble origins came a man whose work and words are familiar to many, but few know the name. Born February 9, 1865, in Jericho, Vermont to a family of equally modest means, Wilson A. Bentley would have lived his life in otherwise austere anonymity were it not for his passion and family support. Born onto the family farm and schooled at home, Wilson Alwyn Bentley was endlessly curious about the world around him in Vermont’s “snow belt” and was gifted a microscope at the age of 15. In the years following, he would further his curiosity with the acquisition of a camera and over 120” of annual snowfall. By trial and error (mostly error), and at considerable expense Wilson A. Bentley captured the first successful documented photograph of a snowflake in the winter of 1885- January 15th to be exact. A hobby regarded as a “luxury of the age”; photography was prohibitively expensive for most. The emerging technology of photography did not offer immediate results. The exposures requiring upwards of a minute and a half were often lost or incomplete due to the short-lived nature of his subject. Despite all the failures, success eventually occurred. Little did he know that his careful recording of atmospheric conditions collected with each photograph would contribute to the emerging science of meteorology. His hybrid microscope and camera creation – along with his technique proven in the most adverse conditions, would establish the foundations of photomicrography, or macro-photography. Early in his pursuit, he expressed his belief that “no two were alike” in a university article, and so began a public fascination that led to him becoming published in National Geographic and Scientific American to name a few of many. He was so methodical that his photographs were utilized for
almost 100 years despite the technical limitations of his day. A selection of some 500 archival slides
were retained by the Smithsonian for preservation in the early 1900’s, and he went on to collect and
catalog over 5,000 high quality photographs of snow and ice crystals before his death in 1931.
So now you know – Wilson A. Bentley. “Snowflake Bentley”. A father of modern meteorology. A
pioneer of climate sciences and photography. A snowflake appointment first appears in the Martin
catalog of 1898- approximately 13 years after the first successful photograph taken by a modest young man on a farm in the freezing cold in Jericho Vermont. Equally uncommon are the significance of the names Jericho and Nazareth.
Like Wilson A. Bentley – the craft of C.F. Martin, & Co., Inc. remains guided by passion. We are
privileged to have the gracious endorsement of the Jericho Historical Society for this instrument inspired by the original photography of Wilson A. Bentley. As custodian of a comprehensive collection of original photography and artifacts, the Jericho Historical Society maintain the Old Mill Craft, and Bentley Museum in Jericho, Vermont. Their dedication to this acknowledged, yet often overlooked contributor to a wealth of americana is important on cultural, artistic, and scientific levels. We kindly encourage anyone who shares our passion for artistry and creativity to personally visit the Old Mill Craft, and Bentley Museum located at 4A Red Mill Drive, Jericho, Vermont 05465, or online at Snowflakebentley.com to further your knowledge and support their preservation efforts.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Instrument: Custom ''D'' Dreadnought Body
Cutaway: No
Orientation: Right Handed
Neck Joint: Dovetail
Specifications: BENTLEY SNOWFLAKE - D
Appointment Level: Standard
Adhesive: Modern Adhesive
Top Material: Sitka Spruce
Bracing Material Top: Sitka Spruce
Back and Side Material: Madagascar Rosewood
Binding Material: Antique White
Top Pearl: Perimeter with Fingerboard Profile
Rosette Style: Style 45 Boltaron
Bridge Style: Modern Belly
Neck Material: 12/4 Genuine Mahogany
Neck Profile Modified L w Oval
Neck Taper: High Performance Taper
Tuning Machines: Schaller Gold GrandTune Faceted BB Btn
Fingerboard Material: Black Ebony
Fingerboard Inlay: Custom/Other See Notes
Finish Type: Standard
Finish Package: Gloss Body w/ Gloss Neck
Top Color: Clear
Electronics: None
Frets Clear: 14 Frets Clear of Body
Body Shape: ''D'' Dreadnought Body
Inspired by: D - 45 Style
Appointment Level: Standard
Base Model Note: 2021 COMMEMORATIVE BENTLEY SNOWFLAKE THEME / INLAY BY AULSON / HP, PG, FB, HC, EP, & BR
Adhesive: Modern Adhesive
Orientation: Right Handed
String Number: 6 String
Venetian Cutaway: No
Electronics: None
Body Depth: Standard
Scale Length: 25.4"
Compensated Scale Length: 25.470"
Neck Joint: Dovetail
Truss Rod: Adjustable 14 Fret
Construction Note: 2021 BENTLEY SNOWFLAKE THEME / INLAY BY AULSON
TOP:
Top Material: Sitka Spruce
Top Material Upgrade: Premium
Final Top Grade: Grade 8
Top Thickness: Standard
Bracing Material, Top: Sitka Spruce
Bracing Pattern, Top: X Brace - Forward Shifted
Bracing Pattern Number, Top: 3-A DOMLE
Bracing Shape, Top: Scalloped
Bracing Style, Top: Standard
Bracing Size, Top: 5/16''
Top Note:
Binding Material: Antique White
Area 1: Top
Inlay 1: BI,Boltaron,B/W/B,.0495x.062x64
Area 2: Top
Inlay 2: BI,Boltaron,B/W/B,.0495x.062x64
Area 3: Back
Inlay 3: BI,Boltaron,B/W/B,.0495x.062x64
Area 4: Back
Inlay 4: BI,Boltaron,B/W/B,.0495x.062x64
Area 5: Side
Inlay 5: BI,Boltaron,B/W/B,.0495x.062x64
Area 6: Side
Inlay 6: BI,Boltaron,W/W/B,.0325x.062x64
Area 7: Side
Inlay 7: BI,Boltaron,B/W/B,.0495x.062x64
Area 8: Side
Inlay 8: BI,Boltaron,W/W/B,.0325x.062x64
Area 9: Endpiece
Inlay 9: None
Area 10: Endpiece
Inlay 10: None
Area 11: Headplate
Inlay 11: BI,Boltaron,W/W/B,.0325x4/32x64
Top Pearl: Perimeter with Fingerboard Profil
Top Pearl Species: Select Abalone
Top Pearl and Thickness: Select Abalone 0.064''
Back Pearl and Thickness: Select Abalone 0.047''
Side Pearl and Thickness: Select Abalone 0.047''
Endpiece Pearl and Thickness: Select Abalone 0.047''
Binding and Body Pearl Note: 2021 BENTLEY SNOWFLAKE THEME END PIECE / SELECT / AULSON INLAY
Rosette Style: Style 45 Boltaron
Rosette Pearl Species: Select Abalone
Rosette Pearl Species And Thickness: Select Abalone 0.064''
Rosette Poly: 0.68 Poly
Pickguard Material: Faux Tortoise
Under Finish Pickguard: No
Pickguard Pattern: Pattern 2B
Pickguard Inlay: None
Pickguard Inlay Pearl Species: N/A
Rosette and Pickguard Note: 2021 BENTLEY SNOWFLAKE THEME PICK GUARD / SELECT / AULSON INLAY
BACK AND SIDE:
Back Piece Qty: 2 Piece
Back and Sides Material: Madagascar Rosewood
Back and Sides Material Upgrade: Premium
Back and Sides Final Grade: 4
Back and Sides Note:
Wedge Material: None
Wedge Material Upgrade: n/a
Wedge Final Grade: n/a
Back Purfling: Style 45 (Mosaic)
Bracing Material, Back and Sides: Sitka Spruce
Bracing Pattern: D14 Fret
Center Strip: Sitka Spruce
Center Strip Stamp Location: Between 1st & 2nd Brace
Caution Stamp: None
Ribbons: Spanish Cedar
Side Strips: East Indian Rosewood
Endpiece Material: Antique White
NECK:
Neck Material: 12/4 Genuine Mahogany
Neck Center Piece Material: n/a
Neck Profile: Modified L w Oval
Neck Taper: High Performance Taper
Heelcap Material: Antique White
Headstock: Solid
Diamond Volute: Standard
Headstock Taper: Square
Corners: Standard
Headplate Material: Madagascar Rosewood
Headplate Material Grade: Premium
Headplate Decal: None
Headplate Binding: Yes
Headplate Inlay: None
Headplate Inlay Pearl Species: N/A
Stamp: C.F. Martin & Co.
Neck Material, Shape, Headstock Note: 2021 BENTLEY SNOWFLAKE THEME HEAD PLATE / SELECT / AULSON INLAY
FINGERBOARD:
Fingerboard Material: Black Ebony
Fingerboard Material Grade: 4
Fingerboard Stain: No
Fingerboard Oil: Yes
Fingerboard Radius: 16''
Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 3/4"
Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8"
String Spacing: 2 5/32''
Fingerboard Length: 17.594''
Fingerboard Thickness: Standard Thickness
Fret Wire: Standard
Fret Slot: 0.023 Through
Total Frets: 20 Total
Fingerboard Binding: Yes
Fingerboard Inlay: Custom/Other See Notes
Fingerboard Inlay Pearl Species: Select Abalone
Side Dots: Black
Side Dot Postion: One at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, Two at 12th, One at 15th & 17th Frets
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Positioning: Flat
Fingerboard Note: 2021 BENTLEY SNOWFLAKE THEME FINGERBOARD / SELECT / AULSON INLAY
FINISH:
Finish Type: Standard
Stage 1 Aged Finish: No
Finish Package: Gloss Body w/ Gloss Neck
Notes for Finish: None
Top Color: Clear
Body Filler: Rosewood
Body Stain: None
Neck Filler: Rosewood
Neck Stain: Mahogany
Solid Color: None
Solid Color Neck: None
Complete Burst: None
Finish and Extras Note: **** QTY 25 PIECES ****
BRIDGE:
Bridge Material: Black Ebony
Bridge Style: Modern Belly
Saddle Style: Drop in Saddle
Bridge Inlay: None
Bridge Inlay Pearl Species: N/A
Saddle Material: Compensated Bone
Bridge End Pins: Bone w/ Paua
Bridge Note: 2021 BENTLEY SNOWFLAKE THEME BRIDGE / SELECT / AULSON INLAY
EXTRAS:
Tuning Machines: Schaller Gold GrandTune Faceted BB Btn
Tuning Machine Drilling: R 11/32''
Strings: Titanium
Strings Guage: Light
Strap Button: None
Case: Custom Shop Deluxe with Embroidery
Strap: None
Custom Label: Name Only - SPECIAL DESIGN - CREDIT RIGHTS
Handcrafted by the Custom Shop for: special- number in sequence
Custom Shop Credentials Book: Yes
