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 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 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 44061 was stamped on September 19, 1930 and cleared final inspection October 27 that year. The original tuners would have been Grover #89 Deluxe banjo pegs. The tuners currently on the guitar are Waverly 5038 “Yoda head” machines that were used between 1940 and 1948. The decal was probably applied to the head […]
A total of six D-2 guitars were made in 1931 and 1932, of which this guitar was the last regular D-2 built. A seventh D-2 was made in 1934 with a carved top, being basically a C-2 up-sized to a Dreadnought 12-fret body. Clearly the D-2 a very rare guitar but adding to the story […]
It is very rare when a vintage Martin guitar can be indentified with the original owner but there is good documentary evidence that this 00-42 was once owned by Bill Boyd, the famous “Cow Boy Rambler” and Western Swing band leader. Serial number 39110 was stamped on July 12, 1929 and cleared final inspection on […]
Serial number 48106 was stamped on August 26, 1931 and cleared final inspection on December 1 that year. This guitar was made shortly after the change from banjo tuners to side tuners and the larger pick guard were made. The tuners are replacements but the original tuners would have been Grover G-98 clipped plate machines. […]