Here is a very unusual guitar. It started off life as a 1938 000-45S that was supposed to have received an F-9 neck 1-11/16" wide at the nut. However, the special order was cancelled after the body had been made so Martin kept the body and re-used it for another 000-45S in 1940.
So the body has a 1938 serial number but wasn't finished until 1941!
As a typical style 45 guitar it has abalone strips inlaid on the top, back and sides, a "C. F. Martin" headstock veneer and style 45 backstripe.
The tuners are Grover G-98G pointed plate machines with engraved buttons having the "cat's eye" pattern.
Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood
Top: Red spruce (Adirondack)
Photos courtesy of Wexer Guitars