1934 Martin C-2

ARCHIVED • SOLD

1934 Martin C-2

Serial # 56827. In 1934, the C-2 carved-top pictured here sold new for$125, twenty five dollars more than the D-28 would list for a few monthslater. This was a fancy guitar by Martin's standards, and at 15" wide wasone of the company's big guitars. But not big enough. In '34 Gibson's L-5,7, 10, and 12 grew to 17". That same year Martin's biggest competitorintroduced Super 400 - an 18" wide monster that was louder than anyproduction guitar yet. The battle for arch-top supremacy was forever lost.Decades later the C-2 and 3 archtops (along with the larger F size) would berediscovered not by Jazz guitarists, but by folk musicians and fingersylistswho realized that these instruments could be converted to flat-top"Orchestra Models" or OM's. Martin wasn't producing the OM at the time(just the short-scale 000), and the long scale necks, Brazilian Rosewoodback and sides and 1-3/4" nut width made those old arch tops greatcandidates for conversion. The original OM model from the early 1930's wasproduced in very limited number, and was - as it is today - one of the mostsought after Martin flat-tops ever. Well converted C-2's and 3's are nowvalued at three or four times as much as an unconverted example.
Which brings us to this guitar...
Why, then, is it not getting converted? Simple, it's just too nice toconvert! This guitar is completely original, crack-free, unmolested, andcompletely playable. And to boot, it sounds fabulous. No, it's not a Super400 or an L-5, but it is a loud guitar with a great cut. The Brazilianrosewood is some of the best you'll ever see - perfectly quartersawn andstraight. The pearl inlays are classically Martin in their simplicity andtastefulness, and the neck is exceedingly comfortable. It's a great guitar.
SOLD
1934 Martin C-2
  • 1934 Martin C-2
  • 1934 Martin C-2
  • 1934 Martin C-2
  • 1934 Martin C-2
  • 1934 Martin C-2
  • 1934 Martin C-2
  • 1934 Martin C-2
  • 1934 Martin C-2

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