Six and twelve string guitars have always been a big part of Tom Petty's sound--it's no wonder since he, like a lot of rock and rollers, begins the songwriting process on acoustic. So when Tom Petty agreed to let C.F. Martin build a signature instrument bearing his name, the biggest challenge was whether his choices might prove too demanding. Petty knew exactly what he wanted, and it wasn't one guitar, but two: a matched pair of 6 and 12-string instruments. They are the HD-40TP and HD12-40TP (pictured) Tom Petty Signature Editions.

The Tom Petty Signature Editions are lovely instruments with beautiful pearl inlays and ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboards. There are very distinctive "Full Moon Fever" position markers inlaid in combinations of black mother of pearl, silver awabi pearl and brilliant blue paua pearl that follow the phases of the moon: new moon at the 1st fret, quarter moon with small star at the 3rd fret, half moon with small star at the 5th fret, three-quarter moon with small star at the 7th fret, full moon with small star at the 9th fret, three stars at the 12th fret and single stars at the 15th and 17th frets. Petty's signature is inlaid in pale gold agoya pearl between the 19th and 20th frets.

The polished black ebony headplate has a select abalone pearl rendition of Martin's "alternative torch" inlay, a rare pattern that originated with one of the first Martin 00-45s in 1902. Italian alpine spruce top, prized for rich, powerful tone, is matched to carefully scalloped Sitka spruce braces. Back and sides are crafted from handsome East Indian rosewood. The low profile neck is carved from genuine mahogany. Both the HD-40TP and HD12-40TP Tom Petty Signature Editions are equipped with factory installed Fishman Gold+Plus Natural II electronics.

Delivered in a vintage Geib™ style hardshell case with tweed exterior, each HD-40TP and HD12-40TP Tom Petty Signature Edition guitar bears an interior label personally signed by Tom Petty and Martin Chairman C.F. Martin IV, and numbered in sequence, with the total number of instruments in that model's edition. For more information, contact C.F. Martin Co. at www.martinguitar.com.