Martin Paul Simon PS2 Signature Edition 2003

Sitka Spruce Top, East Indian Rosewood Back & Sides

Mint Condition

Martin Guitars Honour Paul Simon with the PS2 Signature Edition

The success of the first Paul Simon Martin Limited Edition guitar (introduced in 1997) prompted another exciting collaboration in 2003 between the singer/songwriter and the Martin Guitar Company. The Paul Simon PS2 Signature Edition was extremely limited to only 200 pieces worldwide, and celebrates Paul’s affinity for exploring worldwide musical languages, colours and rhythms through its special appointments.

From his early “folk years,” Paul Simon has been a universal musical traveler, student and collaborator. His music reflects many ethnic and cultural influences and, throughout his career, Martin guitars have played an important part in Paul’s music. On Wednesday Morning 3 AM (Simon and Garfunkel’s first Columbia album), Paul used a D-18 that fit perfectly with the duo’s folk-based repertoire. On their follow-up album, Sounds Of Silence, the power of Paul’s Dreadnought combined with his masterful jazz/blues approach made Davy Graham’s “Anji” the instrumental highlight of the album.

Paul later switched to a D-35S for recording and concert work. In recent years, he has gravitated to smaller bodied instruments, such as the Martin OM and now the shorter scale 000, which he specified for the PS2 Martin Signature Edition guitar. The size, tone and scale of the 000 are particularly well suited for fingerstyle guitarists desiring a balanced sound.

The PS2 features a body of solid, select East Indian rosewood and a top of premium Sitka spruce with scalloped “hybrid” bracing. A style 45 rosette is tastefully inlaid with a ring of colourful blue Paua shell; a style 45 multi-coloured mosaic joins the two-piece back. The guitar is bound in tortoise colour with simple style 18 inlay lines. Highly polished lacquer (with aging toner) gives the body a mellow, vintage appearance.

Unlike his first signature model, Paul has specified a short scale, “Modified V” 14-fret neck for this edition. The shorter scale allows for a more fluid, expressive tone, particularly in bending notes. The neck is crafted of genuine mahogany and features the traditional Martin diamond volute. The solid square tapered headstock is faced with polished African ebony and inlaid with a green malachite and blue lapis reconstituted stone “World” inlay centered under the Martin gold foil “script” logo. Ebony is also utilised for the fingerboard with long-point “diamond & squares” position markers of blue Paua shell. Paul Simon’s signature is inlaid in white pearl between the 19th and 20th frets.

Other features include a ramped ebony belly bridge, Style 42 bridge and end pins (black with abalone dots), and genuine bone nut and saddle. Each guitar was numbered in sequence and personally signed by Paul Simon and C. F. Martin IV. A #630 Martin hardshell case is included with the guitar.

A critic once noted, “Paul Simon could create magic out of thin air should he wish; his talent is that immense, that extraordinary.” Martin Guitars were of course, delighted that he chose to create some of that magic with this beautiful and rare Paul Simon PS2 Signature Edition.