Martin made the 14-fret Ochestra Model (OM) guitars from 1929 to the end of 1933. Beginning in 1934 the OM designation was dropped and these guitars reverted to the 000 designation. However, for a time in 1934 continued to use long scale (25.4″) necks on 000-18 guitars. In effect, these can be considered OM guitars. […]
Serial number was stamped around mid-June 1920. One interesting feature of this guitar is the coarse grain structure of the wood used for the neck. This type of wood is Philippine Mahogany (genus Shorea) which is not considered a true mahogany (genus Swietenia). It was used for the necks of Martin guitars circa 1919 to […]
Serial number 116146 was stamped on August 11, 1950 and cleared final inspection on November 13 that year. Guitars from the 1950s are rarely encountered with dark tops and only one from this batch of 25 guitars got the sunburst finish. The tuners are Kluson K-210 machines with metal buttons. Style 18 features: Back and […]
Serial number 99590 was stamped on April 2, 1947 and cleared final inspection on August 1 that year. The tuners are probably three-on-a-side D & J (Dinsmore & Jager) #31 machines. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) – Although Sitka spruce was the norm for Martin guitars at the time, […]
Serial number 52348 was stamped on November 28, 1932 and cleared final inspection on August 25, 1933 (a very long time in production for the period). The OM-18 guitars made in 1932 were called “Model 32” and all had a “dark top”, in Martin terminology. These are now commonly known as amberburst, honeyburst or teaburst […]
This guitar was finished in 2001. It started out as a 000-18 12-fret guitar but received some style 28 features; herringbone purfling, white celluloid binding and a volute on the back of the headstock. Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Photos courtesy of Folkway Music
Serial number 81222 was stamped on March 30, 1942 and cleared final inspection on June 17 that year. The Martin 0-15 was the least expensive guitar model offered by Martin at the time, although Martin never made any compromise in terms of quality. As a war-time guitar this guitar has the ebony neck reinforcement rather […]
Serial number 156914 was stamped on August 21, 1957 and cleared final inspection on December 2 that year. The guitar has a Sitka spruce top and the mahogany back and sides expected with style 18 guitars. The machines are Kluson K-324 tuners. The MADE IN USA stamp indicates the guitar was exported, almost certainly to […]