The Guitarphile

Serial number 16346 is one of the earliest Martin guitars that was specifically ordered with a “guardplate”, and also has an early “dark top” finish. This guitar was ordered by Cooper Brothers of New Kensington Pa. on June 6, 1921. It was stamped about June 19 and was shipped to Cooper Brothers on August 31, […]

This guitar is one of the most historically important Martin instruments in existence! It neatly bridges the gap between the Stauffer-style guitars, that C. F. Martin learned to make in Vienna, and the Spanish-style guitars Martin made after 1839. It is the earliest Martin guitar known with any kind of “Spanish” features. The guitar bears […]