According to their own press release, the Martin 1 Series acoustics were originally introduced during the early-nineties recession in the aftermath of the Savings and Loan crisis, and that the 1 Series guitars were based on Martin's Style 15 and Style 17 guitars, themselves introduced during the (first) Great Depression. Fodder for pessimistic economic prognosticators, sure, but great news for folks interested in owning a solid-wood Martin acoustic guitar so they can sing their blues / protest songs.

The new 1 Series will be made up of four models and two body styles, the classic "D" dreadnought shape and the also-classic "OM" orchestra style. The D-1 and OM-1 will be purely acoustic guitars, while the D-1E and OM-1E will feature Fishman electronics with volume, EQ and an on-board chromatic tuner.

For tone woods, the 1 Series models will sport solid Sitka spruce tops, and solid Sapele will be employed for the back and sides. Sapele is not the most common of tonewoods, so I did a little research on it. I discovered that its use in acoustic instruments is popular due to its similarity in density and tone to mahogany, and it's striking grain-textures ain't too shabby neither. I also found out that Sapele is on the IUCN's "Red List" of threatened deciduous tree species. Kudos to C.F. Martin & Co. for attempting to keep Greenpeace activists working during these trying times.

At any rate, dig this wood:

While Martin didn't provide list prices for the current 1 Series, the last time these guitars were available they were in the well-under-a-grand range in their street price. Of course, that was over ten years ago, back when a movie ticket cost $4 (on Tuesday Matinee Nights at Sayville Theatre on Railroad Ave. in Sayville, NY). Did I mention I'm no financial expert?