Martin 1-21 guitar Archives - Vintage American Guitar

1870’s Martin 2-21 Guitar

In this period (any Martin guitar made before 1898) there were of course no serial numbers on Martins, and no one signed the instruments inside with a date as they often did in the later 1880’s. But it has all the hallmarks of 1870s to mid-1880’s – and most likely earlier in that period, about 1870, judging by the endstrip material.

It has the original friction tuners – with the exception of the Low E string tuner that was missing and so has been replaced (probably a hundred years ago) with a tuning peg to match the originals.

The size 2 is a great size, it’s a larger guitar than the more common size 2 ½ from this era.

Amazing tone from this guitar. See and hear this guitar being played:

All careful work has been done on this guitar, and it won’t need anything else – it’s a great guitar for the player who wants the best Martin tone and playability – a tonal gem from the 19th century Martin factory in Nazareth.

• Spruce top over Brazilian Rosewood back and sides.

• Spanish heel (not the ice cream cone heel of the less expensive Martins)

• Peg head, with original tuners (with one replacement– the high E string peg)

• Light overspray on top done ages ago, so it’s not very noticeable.

A bit more overspray on back and sides, done decades and decades ago.

• Fan braced – as are most of the best sounding Martins from this era.

• Original thin maple bridge plate

• Original ebony fretboard; Original bar frets with some wear but they’re still pretty high.

• Soft V neck

• Scale length: 24.5 inches

• Width at lower bout: 12 inches

• Nut width: 1 13/16 inch

Multiple cracks on top, all repaired (see photos); multiple cracks on back, all repaired.

Heel has a tiny crack – but it looks like there was never any separation, more of surface crack (see photos)

Two areas by top edge of bridge, either end, where wood was splintered a bit, now repaired and stable. (See photos)

This guitar has seen multiple crack repairs, but it’s structurally sound now, and needs no work going forward. It’s priced low to reflect the work done. It has marvelous sound and projection, and plays with great low action and great intonation all up and down the fretboard. Strung with Savarez Alliance strings.

It would be a great addition to a player wanting a superb example of the best Martin sound from the 19th century – at an affordable cost that’s impossible to find in today’s market.

Ships in a modern hard shell case.

Price: $4,850. – plus shipping

Details
Martin 2-21 Guitar, made in 1886

In this period, the Martin factory foreman often wrote the date of manufacture, before the guitar left the factory, hand-written in pencil on the underside of the top. This one has hand-written inside "5 / 1886". It’s a nice touch to a great Martin – and the size 2 is a great size, it’s a larger guitar than the more common size 2 ½ from this era.

Exquisite tone from this guitar. See and hear this guitar being played:

All careful work has been done on this guitar, including a perfect ebony bridge by T.J. Thompson, and it won’t need anything else. It’s an ideal guitar for the player who wants the best Martin tone and playability – a tonal gem from the 19th century Martin factory in Nazareth.

• Slot head, with original geared tuners

• Spruce top over Brazilian Rosewood back and sides.

• All original finish, with the exception of some minor touch up in the bridge area.

• Perfect reproduction ebony, pyramid bridge by T.J. Thompson.

Some touch-up in the bridge area of the spruce when the bridge was fitted.

• Fan braced – as are most of the best sounding Martins from this era.

• Original thin maple bridge plate, that has had some minor pin hole attention, by us, to ensure stability and protection from ball ends.

• Original ebony fretboard; Original bar frets. Frets have some wear, but we left them, for originality, and they play fast and low and smooth.

• Spanish heel (not the ice cream cone heel of the less expensive Martins of the era).

• Soft V neck

• End pin is original, tab end of the pin has come off but the shaft remains

• One inch area in the rosette, repaired (see photos)

• Three tiny holes near end pin are remnant of a tailpiece used at some point in the previous century

• One crack on top, just below the low E string (see photos). About 4 1/2 inches long. This crack has been glued, and is tight (no cleat due to proximity to a brace).

• Scale length: 24.5 inches

• Width at lower bout: 12 inches

• Nut width: 1 13/16 inch

The guitar has had a recent neck set (by us), so the action is great, and lower than what a lot of folks try to get away with on a 19th century Martin. This guitar does not have “classical guitar action.” The great Martins from this era were not then and they should not today be considered “classical guitars”. They are parlor guitars, and the best examples have the Martin sound we know and love, with a “classical” sound if we consider that sound from the 19th century not today.

No excuses on the action, tone, and playability on this guitar. Strung with Savarez Alliance strings. It plays so easily, with perfect intonation all the way up the fretboard, and the sound is stellar.

It ships in a modern hard shell case.

Price: $6,750. – plus shipping

Details

Martin 1-21 guitar

1870’s Martin 2-21 Guitar

Martin 2-21 Guitar, made in 1886