Craig Thatcher got something even better than a Martin Guitar for Christmas.

He designed a Martin Special Limited Edition 000 11-E Craig Thatcher model.

The 35 Craig Thatcher models sold right out away.

Although that numbered run can’t be reproduced, Thatcher says a similar model could be made in the future.

Thatcher played one of the new 000 11-Es, as well as electric guitar, in his “Craig Thatcher & Friends Rockin’ Holiday Show,” Dec. 18, Sellersville Theatre, and will play his namesake guitar, Dec. 22, Civic Theatre of Allentown.

Martin Guitar signature editions include those that bear the names of Johnny Cash, John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa, Johnny Marra and Shawn Mendes.

Martin Guitar, founded in 1833, has had its instruments played by Jimmie Rodgers, Gene Autry, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Neil Young.

During a phone call from his home in Coopersburg, where he lives with his wife Christine, Thatcher enthusiastically gives the specifications of the new model, which came from the C.F. Martin & Company. factory, Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico. That is the company’s second factory, in addition to the one in Nazareth.

Thatcher visited the factory last year with Chris Martin IV, executive chairman of C.F. Martin & Company. Martin surprised Thatcher by asking him to pick out the wood for the Craig Thatcher model.

The new model, introduced Oct. 23 in a concert by Thatcher at the Martin Guitar Museum, Nazareth, has a dark cherry color from sapele wood. It features herringbone trim, the first time it was ever used at the Navojoa factory.

The “000” refers to the size, smaller than the more common dreadnought guitar.

“I like the smaller bodies. The 000s are the same size as the Martin Eric Clapton models,” says Thatcher, who has been known to resemble Clapton and has been doing Clapton retrospective concerts for years.

“I did not put my name anywhere on the guitar. People don’t have to know who I am. It is only on a label inside of it, which is signed by Chris and I. Many people have told me that they will not buy a guitar with someone’s name on it,” Thatcher says.

“Craig and I have traveled the world together, telling the Martin story. I talk, and he plays,” says Martin Guitar Executive Chairman Chris Martin IV in a press release. “Craig worked closely with our teams in Nazareth and Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico, to make this guitar happen. I think it’s pretty cool.”

Thatcher has toured around the world with Chris Martin as Martin Guitar Artist-Clinician and ambassador. His relationship with the company began in 2003. Says Thatcher:

“I was playing at Abruzzi on Main restaurant in Coopersburg when Chris and some upper management came in for dinner. He asked me if I was interested in playing for some events. It led to things like playing for the opening of the Martin museum. Things really began to take off when I went with him to the NAMM [National Association of Music Merchants] show in California in 2010.”

Thatcher sees a continuing popularity of acoustic guitar: “It is great to write music with it. You can’t beat the portability. You can’t easily lug a piano around. And you don’t have to plug it in. There are so many applications.

“It takes more finger strength and technique than electric guitar. So it makes you bring more energy to it.”

In November, Thatcher and Martin returned from a trip to London and other places in England. Thatcher was in Tokyo in March and April. He has been doing Martin trips for 20 years.

The excursions have given Thatcher the opportunity to play music in different genres:

“When we do a show, Chris likes to reflect the flavor of the area we are in. We will take prototype guitars developed for certain performers.

“When we were in Nashville, we took Marty Stuart, Johnny Cash and Rosanne Cash models, and I did songs that they did.”

He and Martin returned from Nashville and New York City at the beginning of November.

The range of styles is part of Thatcher’s concerts with songs done in classic rock, blues, Celtic and folk renditions. The concert at Civic is his fourth annual holiday concert there. Each concert has different songs from year to year. Thatcher notes that some long-time fans bring their children and grandchildren.

Thatcher has appeared at every major theater and performing arts center in the Lehigh Valley. He has been at Musikfest for 35 consecutive years. He gave the first public performance at the Musikfest Cafe when it opened and the first show at the outdoor Levitt Pavilion.

Performing in Thatcher’s holiday concerts are Nyke Van Wyk, violin; Craig Kastelnik, keyboards; Joel Shimer, guitar; Pat Kastelnik, vocals; Regina Sayles, vocals; Bill Sharrow, bass, and Billy Wear, drums.

“Craig Thatcher & Friends Rockin’ Holiday Show,” 8 p.m. Dec. 18, Sellersville Theatre, 24 W Temple Avenue, Sellersville. Tickets: 215-257-5808, www.st94.com

“Craig Thatcher & Friends Rockin’ Holiday Show,” 2 p.m. Dec. 22, Main Stage, Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 19th St., Allentown. Tickets: 610-433-8903, www.civictheatre.com