It always adds to the story of a particular instrument when the purchase documents are available. Here is another great example. Serial number 73316 was stamped on September 22, 1939 and cleared final inspection on December 4 that year. As can be seen from the documents below this guitar was sold by Wilson Music Co. […]
The guitar is certainly one of the most pristine 1940 D-28 guitars extant. This guitar is still in the family of the original owner. The serial number of the guitar is 76288. It was stamped on October 23, 1940 and cleared final inspection on March 25, 1941. The tuners are Grover G-111 machines. The owner […]
Serial number 99606 was stamped on April 3, 1947 and cleared final inspection on July 30 that year. The tuners are Waverly 5038 machines with the distinctive “Yoda head” backing plates with rounded metal buttons. These machines were used by Martin from 1939 to 1942 and from 1946 to 1947. Style 28 features: Back […]
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 101621 was stamped on August 12, 1947 and cleared final inspection on December 23 that year. The tuners are Kluson 210 machines with rounded metal buttons. The bridge is a replacement and the pick guard is oversize and is probably not original. Style 21 features: Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood Top: Sitka spruce […]
Serial number 111404 was stamped on September 7, 1949 and cleared final inspection on October 28 that year. The tuners are Kluson 210 machines with rounded metal buttons. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Sitka spruce Purfling: Lines Binding: Black celluloid No backstripe Other period features: Straight X-bracing Rosewood fingerboard Rosewood belly bridge […]
Serial number 151874 was stamped on October 4, 1956 and cleared final inspection on January 23, 1957. The tuners are Kluson K-500 “waffleback” machines with rounded metal buttons. Style 28 features: Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood Top: Sitka spruce Purfling: Lines Binding: White celluloid Backstripe: Zipper pattern Other period features: Straight X-bracing Ebony fingerboard Ebony […]
Serial number 134066 was stamped on December 4, 1953 and cleared final inspection on February 26, 1954. The tuners are Waverly 5038D machines with rounded metal buttons. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red spruce (Vermont) Purfling: Lines Binding: Tortoiseshell celluloid Backstripe: None Other period features: Straight X-bracing Brazilian rosewood fingerboard Brazilian rosewood […]
Serial number 81120 was stamped on March 24, 1942 and cleared final inspection on October 22 that year. The tuners are Waverly 5038N (nickel plated) machines with rounded metal buttons. These are sometimes referred to as “Yoda head” machines due to the shape of the ends of the backing plate. Style 28 features: Back and […]
Serial number 106809 was stamped on September 10, 1948 and cleared final inspection on December 14 that year. The tuners are Kluson K-210 machines with rounded metal buttons. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Sitka spruce Purfling: Lines Binding: Tortoiseshell celluloid Other period features: Straight X-bracing Brazilian rosewood fingerboard Ebony belly bridge Steel […]