Today at Guitar Summit in Mannheim, Germany, C. F. Martin & Co. introduced the OM Mikael Åkerfeldt, a striking limited-edition model co-designed with the Opeth singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Only 74 instruments will be handcrafted worldwide, honoring Åkerfeldt’s 1974 birth year.
The OM Mikael Åkerfeldt combines Martin’s legendary acoustic tradition with bold appointments chosen by Åkerfeldt himself. A torrefied Spruce top delivers seasoned tone and projection, while a dramatic three-piece back of Guatemalan Rosewood with an East Indian Rosewood wedge offers a distinctive aesthetic and rich tonal complexity. European Flamed Maple binding frames the body in elegant contrast.
For the first time on a traditional Martin body, the guitar debuts the Low Profile Velocity neck — a shape introduced with Martin’s SC series and refined for players who demand the speed and comfort of an electric while retaining the resonance of an OM acoustic.
Personalized details underscore the collaboration: an Ebony fingerboard inlaid with black mother-of-pearl Roman numerals, black Liquidmetal bridge pins for added sustain and clarity, and VTS-treated spruce with Golden Era scalloped X-bracing — a nod to Martin’s Modern Deluxe series that brings vintage warmth and dynamic response.
“35 odd years into an odd type of career, I’ve now reached a goal I didn’t even know I had. The Martin Guitar Company has presented me with my very own signature guitar: the OM Mikael Åkerfeldt,” said Åkerfeldt.
“To be rubbing shoulders with so many esteemed musicians who’ve been graced with the honor of having their own Martin signature guitar is beyond comprehension. But enough of that! I’m sat here with this incredible instrument that resonates through the walls of my old house every time I pluck a string. It is truly a beautiful instrument with a beautiful sound.”
Each OM Mikael Åkerfeldt ships with a laser-etched stainless steel label and a custom Harptone case, ensuring collectors and players alike have an heirloom instrument worthy of the Martin legacy and Åkerfeldt’s artistry.
Get the OM Mikael Åkerfeldt here for $6,999.
