Martin 1-28P guitars are scarce with only 19 being made. This example is the last 1-28P and the only one made as a 1-28PS (S=Special). This special guitar was ordered on May 7, 1930 by Humphreys Music Co. of Long Beach CA. It was stamped on May 10, 1930 and cleared final inspection on May […]
Serial number 51978 was ordered on October 7, 1932 by Chicago Musical Instrument Co. It stamped on October 11, 1932 and cleared final inspection on October 22 that year (only 11 days in production!) The neck is a replacement. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: Lines Binding: Black celluloid […]
Serial number 73066 was stamped on August 10, 1939 and cleared final inspection on November 6 that year. The tuners are Grover pointed plate G-98 machines with unseamed butterbean buttons. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: Lines Binding: Black celluloid Other period features: Rear-X scalloped braces Ebony fingerboard Ebony […]
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 […]