Serial number 50306 is a 1932 dark top 00-40H. It was stamped on February 29, 1932 and cleared final inspection on June 14 that year. At least two 00-40H guitars were made with dark tops around this period but there may be more since Martin did not always record this feature, especially if a customer […]
Serial number 65836 was stamped on March 18, 1937 and cleared final inspection on June 17 that year. Like all 00-18H guitars it originally had a flat fingerboard, raised nut and saddle and a “dark top” (sunburst) finish. Also, like many 00-18H guitars it has been converted to Spanish playing by replacing the flat fingerboard […]
This guitar is an early Martin 0-27 and is almost identical to another already posted on this website, with the exception that it is fitted with brass tuners instead of ivory friction pegs. Most collectors are familiar with 2-27 guitars that make up the large majority of style 27 guitars made. Size 0 guitars in […]
This guitar is an early Martin 0-27 and is unusual for a number of reasons. Most collectors are familiar with 2-27 guitars that make up the large majority of style 27 guitars made. Size 0 guitars in style 27 are quite rare: only thirty-nine 0-27 guitars were made between 1856 and 1863 and of these […]
Here is a rare early Martin terz guitar. Terz means “third” in German and refers to the fact that these guitars were tuned three half tones higher than normal. This guitar has a scale length of only 22-1/4″. A short scale length is a feature of all terz guitars. Sadly, this guitar has seen a […]
Here is an interesting early 12-fret D-28 that was once owned by Norman Blake. Serial number 54950 was ordered by Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. in Milwaukee WI on December 9, 1933. It stamped on December 15, 1933 and cleared final inspection on December 21 that year, manufactured and shipped in only 6 days! Three more 12-fret […]
Serial number 74163 was stamped on January 15, 1940 and cleared final inspection on March 27 that year. This guitar is in remarkable condition. Many original D-45 guitars were owned by working musicians and were often returned to Martin to be “refreshed”, which usually involved refinishing. The tuners are gold plated Grover G-111G machines. The […]
Serial number 55662 was stamped on March 3, 1934 and cleared final inspection on Jun 13 that year. The tuners are Grover G-97 machines with seamed butterbean metal buttons. Style 21 features: Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: Lines Binding: Rosewood Sound hole decoration: Herringbone Back stripe: Herringbone Other period features: […]
This is one of the early Ditson guitars made by Martin for Charles H. Ditson & Co. of New York, in fact it is the first Ditson style 33 made. Ditson guitars are characterized by a wide waist as they were meant to be in the Hawaiian style and so the narrower waist of guitars […]
Considering that pre-1840 Martin guitars are so rare it is remarkable that only a few guitars from the end of Martin’s stay in New York can help define Martin’s activities as his guitars transitioned from the Stauffer to the Spanish shape. This is one of those guitars (see also entries for serial number 1293 and […]