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 […]

Many years ago while reading Mike Longworth’s book I wondered what the odds would be of ever seeing a Ditson 222 guitar!  As far as I know no other examples have ever some to light. This guitar is one of only four Ditson 222 guitars ever made. It is stamped with serial number 176 from […]

One enduring controversy of Martin lore are the “mystery top” guitars of 1953 and 1957. These tops are theorized to be made of either Adirondack spruce or Engelmann spruce. The Martin purchasing records indicate that from late 1949 to 1952 and again in 1955 Martin did buy quantities of “Vermont” spruce from Eaton Lumber Co. […]

Some of the loveliest Martin guitars made in the 1930’s are the small-bodied, size 0 and 00, instruments, and here is a perfect example. Serial number 42235 was stamped on April 23, 1930 and cleared final inspection on August 18. This guitar is from the first batch of 0-28 guitars made with a belly bridge. […]

The year 1929 was the last time that Martin made 0-45 guitars. Through much of the 19th century and well into the 20th century, Martin had considered 0-size guitars to be their best sounding instruments; believing them to have the best balance between base and treble notes. From the beginning of the 20th century the […]

Here is an example of a very early Martin & Coupa guitar that displays design features associated with the instruments from the first part of the 1840’s. (Strictly speaking, it is not a Martin & Coupa guitar, as it lacks the M & C label, but I will use the terminology regardless as it is […]

The instrument in this entry is a very rare Martin 2½-40 guitar made before C. F. Martin & C0. was formed in August 1867. As such it has a “C. F. Martin” stamp on the back strip instead of the “C. F. Martin & Co.” seen on guitars from late 1867. Only four Martin 2½-40 […]