Guitar Center to offer C.F. Martin & Co.'s one-of-a-kind History of Flight acoustic guitar

Guitar Center, the nation's leading musical instrument retailer, today announced the offering of C.F. Martin & Co. "History of Flight" acoustic guitar--the only one of its kind. Available exclusively through Guitar Center, this highly collectible handcrafted item will be available July at a sale price of $150,000.
From the Wright Brothers' first flight to man's exploration into space, this matchless work of art honors the technology that defines an entire century. Master Luthiers of the Martin Custom Shop crafted the guitar with inlays by world-renowned inlay artist Larry Robinson.
Originally created as a showpiece for the artists, and not meant for sale, Guitar Center recognized its incredible value and understood that it would be a remarkable collector's item for guitar aficionados. This follows other rare and high-end collector's offerings from Guitar Center including Eric Clapton's "Blackie" Stratocaster and his Cream-era Gibson ES 335 guitar.
"We're always looking for opportunities to offer our customers unique and collectible instruments and are very excited by this one-of-a-kind guitar," said Michael Doyle, Vice President of Product Marketing for Guitar Center. "This is another example of how Guitar Center is able to step outside the traditional role of an instrument retailer and partner with leading manufacturers to offer unique and exclusive opportunities for musicians and guitar enthusiasts. Martin, with this instrument, has created a definitive masterpiece that incorporates man's passion for flight with their passion for guitar."
The guitar is constructed from the finest materials available--including a solid Adirondack Spruce top matched with back, sides and neck constructed of rare and beautiful solid Brazilian Rosewood. The tonewoods serve as the canvas for Robinson's eighteen individual inlays, crafted from stunning blue paua pearl.
As an added bonus, the purchaser of this remarkable instrument will accompany Guitar Center's Chief Executive Officer, Marty Albertson, on the Guitar Center corporate jet from his or her hometown to the C.F. Martin & Co. headquarters in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. There, Martin's Chief Executive Officer, Chris Martin, will lead the new owner on a personal tour through the legendary guitar maker's historic facilities.

About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates more than 200 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 95 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site, www.musiciansfriend.com . More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's Web site at www.guitarcenter.com .The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of Guitar Center, Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.