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. […]

Martin Guitars

1936 Martin 000-28 Guitar (Serial Number 62166)

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Serial number 62166 was stamped on January 28, 1936 and cleared final inspection on July 9 that year. The tuners are Grover G-98 pointed plate machines with seamed metal butterbean buttons.     Style 28 features: Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: Herringbone Binding: Ivoroid Back Stripe: Zig-zag purfling pattern Other […]

Martin Guitars

1947 Martin D-28 Guitar (Serial Number 99606)

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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 […]

Martin Guitars

1936 Martin D-18 Guitar, Serial Number 64676

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Serial number 64676 was stamped on October 21, 1936 and cleared final inspection on December 31 that year. The tuners are pointed plate G-98 machines with rounded metal buttons. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: Lines Binding: Black celluloid Backstripe: None Other period features: Advanced X-bracing (scalloped) Ebony fingerboard […]

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

1933 Martin D-28 Guitar, Serial Number 54950

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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 […]