Edmonds “Night Dive” D42
In the mid-2000s, C.F. Martin & Co. produced an extremely limited run of guitars known as the "Night Dive", offered in both dreadnought and OM body sizes. Total production across both models was very small, generally cited at roughly 15 to just over 20 instruments combined. These guitars were conceived not as standard production models, but as collaborative art.
Grit Laskin is a Canadian luthier best known for his artistic highly detailed inlay work. He is also responsible for innovations such as the Laskin Armrest and Ribrest, which are now widely adopted in modern acoustic guitar design.
This artwork represents a collaboration between Martin, Grit Laskin and Pearl Works, led by Larry Sifel with contributions from. Pearl Works was responsible for much of Martin’s most complex inlay work during this period, including landmark projects such as the Martin D-100. Chuck Erikson, also known as the "Duke of Pearl" was responsible for supplying much of the industry, including Taylor and Martin with abalone
The Night Dive inlay depicts shell divers harvesting abalone, with figures working both above and below the waterline. The artwork includes representational elements tied directly to the people involved in the craft: Erikson appears as the “Duke of Pearl,” Sifel is shown working with tools aboard the boat, and Laskin himself is depicted observing the underwater scene from above.
The artwork reflects the process by which shell materials are collected, prepared, and ultimately transformed into this stunning inlay, which serves as an homage to the long standing tradition of inlay art in guitar making.
The goal of this build with Jimmy Edmonds was not to recreate the original Martin Night Dive guitar, and not to produce a novelty or art-object instrument. The intent was to distill the historical and artistic significance of the Night Dive project into a guitar that functions first and foremost as a serious, traditional dreadnought, integrating the OEM pieces into a classic D-42 framework that remains visually timeless. It also happens to be one of the most incredible sounding dreadnaughts I have ever played.
Moon spruce was selected both for its tonal properties and as a subtle conceptual nod to the Night Dive theme. Flamed maple binding, ebony hardware details, and restrained appointments were used to elevate the build. The end goal was a guitar that quietly carries real Martin history and excels as a musical instrument rather than a display piece. This is a player’s guitar with uncommon provenance, not a reproduction, and not an attempt to outdo the original concept.
To top it off, this instrument was PLEK’d after completion and plays great.
Specs:
Model: D-42 “Night Dive”
Serial Number: 418
Build Year: 2025
Body Style: Dreadnought
Scale Length: 25.4”
Top: Master Grade Moon Spruce
Back & Sides: Select Brazilian Rosewood
Neck: Solid Honduran Mahogany
Fingerboard & Bridge: Original OEM "Night Dive" finger board and headstock veneer
Inlay: Paua Abalone
Binding: Flamed Maple
Nut Width: 1 3/4”
String Spacing at Bridge: 2 1/4”
Nut & Saddle Material: Bone
Tuners: Waverly 4067 Gold with Ebony Buttons
Bridge Pins: Waverly Bone with Solid Abalone
Truss Rod: Martin 2-Way
Finish: Varnish
Pickguard: Holter Pickguard
Case: SKB Pelican-style flight case
Demo Video: https://youtu.be/bgg-wI153tY?si=2qSY32xOCBv4bvFs
Edmonds “Night Dive” D42
In the mid-2000s, C.F. Martin & Co. produced an extremely limited run of guitars known as the "Night Dive", offered in both dreadnought and OM body sizes. Total production across both models was very small, generally cited at roughly 15 to just over 20 instruments combined. These guitars were conceived not as standard production models, but as collaborative art.
Grit Laskin is a Canadian luthier best known for his artistic highly detailed inlay work. He is also responsible for innovations such as the Laskin Armrest and Ribrest, which are now widely adopted in modern acoustic guitar design.
This artwork represents a collaboration between Martin, Grit Laskin and Pearl Works, led by Larry Sifel with contributions from. Pearl Works was responsible for much of Martin’s most complex inlay work during this period, including landmark projects such as the Martin D-100. Chuck Erikson, also known as the "Duke of Pearl" was responsible for supplying much of the industry, including Taylor and Martin with abalone
The Night Dive inlay depicts shell divers harvesting abalone, with figures working both above and below the waterline. The artwork includes representational elements tied directly to the people involved in the craft: Erikson appears as the “Duke of Pearl,” Sifel is shown working with tools aboard the boat, and Laskin himself is depicted observing the underwater scene from above.
The artwork reflects the process by which shell materials are collected, prepared, and ultimately transformed into this stunning inlay, which serves as an homage to the long standing tradition of inlay art in guitar making.
The goal of this build with Jimmy Edmonds was not to recreate the original Martin Night Dive guitar, and not to produce a novelty or art-object instrument. The intent was to distill the historical and artistic significance of the Night Dive project into a guitar that functions first and foremost as a serious, traditional dreadnought, integrating the OEM pieces into a classic D-42 framework that remains visually timeless. It also happens to be one of the most incredible sounding dreadnaughts I have ever played.
Moon spruce was selected both for its tonal properties and as a subtle conceptual nod to the Night Dive theme. Flamed maple binding, ebony hardware details, and restrained appointments were used to elevate the build. The end goal was a guitar that quietly carries real Martin history and excels as a musical instrument rather than a display piece. This is a player’s guitar with uncommon provenance, not a reproduction, and not an attempt to outdo the original concept.
To top it off, this instrument was PLEK’d after completion and plays great.
Specs:
Model: D-42 “Night Dive”
Serial Number: 418
Build Year: 2025
Body Style: Dreadnought
Scale Length: 25.4”
Top: Master Grade Moon Spruce
Back & Sides: Select Brazilian Rosewood
Neck: Solid Honduran Mahogany
Fingerboard & Bridge: Original OEM "Night Dive" finger board and headstock veneer
Inlay: Paua Abalone
Binding: Flamed Maple
Nut Width: 1 3/4”
String Spacing at Bridge: 2 1/4”
Nut & Saddle Material: Bone
Tuners: Waverly 4067 Gold with Ebony Buttons
Bridge Pins: Waverly Bone with Solid Abalone
Truss Rod: Martin 2-Way
Finish: Varnish
Pickguard: Holter Pickguard
Case: SKB Pelican-style flight case
Demo Video: https://youtu.be/bgg-wI153tY?si=2qSY32xOCBv4bvFs
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