Guitars

1939 Martin D-18 Guitar (Serial Number 73316)

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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. […]

Guitars

1929 Martin 000-18 Guitar (Serial Number 38272)

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Serial number 39272 was stamped on April 4, 1929 and cleared final inspection on October 22 that year, just two days before “Black Thursday” of the 1929 Stock Market Crash and truly marking the very end of the “roaring 20’s”. The tuners are Waverly G-30 machines. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red […]

Martin Guitars

1930 Martin OM-18 Guitar, Serial Number 44750

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Serial number 44750 was stamped on November 13, 1930 and cleared final inspection on December 11 that year. The current tuners are modern replacements but with the original white celluloid buttons. The original tuners would have been Grover #90 banjo pegs. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: Lines Binding: […]

Martin Guitars

1932 Martin D-18 Guitar, Serial Number 51978

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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 […]

Guitars

1939 Martin D-18 Guitar, Serial Number 73066

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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 […]

Martin Guitars

1953 Martin 00-18 Guitar, Serial Number 134066

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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 […]

Martin Guitars

1948 Martin D-18 Guitar, Serial Number 106809

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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 […]