1953 Martin 000-21
This one is a really exciting addition to our inventory, and a guitar that we’ve been looking forward to showcasing since its arrival here a short while back. It’s a near-perfect 1953 Martin 000-21, complete with a red spruce top. In the world of post-war 000s, they don’t come too much better than this.
Martin production in 1953 saw, for a short while, the use of red (aka Adirondack) spruce for guitar tops. Recently documented Martin order ledgers show large purchases of spruce tops from a Vermont mill between 1949 and 1952, which provides strong evidence that the non-Sitka ‘Mystery Tops’ are indeed red spruce. Beyond that, these 1953 guitars sound noticeably different - and noticeably better - than their Sitka-topped brethren.
This example is in exquisite condition and completely original but for its bridge saddle, which was replaced as part of the neck reset we completed recently. The reset is to our highest standards, and the guitar’s original frets are without wear and are nicely dressed. There are no cracks or repairs to the body or neck, short of a tiny b-string pickguard crack, and the instrument’s original finish is well preserved. There is some case-caused wear on the upper treble side, and a handful of marks on the top and neck, but no playwear to the top, neck, or back.
The guitar has a wonderfully dynamic and balanced voice, with the dry snap and increased power of red spruce. Beautiful definition, clean and clear fundamental, strong bass register and full top-end. The guitar has the strong mid-range typical of straight-braced 50s Martins, but a lot more to offer to the ears than the great majority of rosewood 000s built during that decade.
Perfectly straight-grained rosewood back and sides, tortoise-shell celluloid bindings and pickguard, wooden purflings and rosette (a feature that remained specific to Style 21 after Martin adopted Celluloid trim in around 1930). Rosewood fingerboard and unmodified bridge, original style 21 pins with ivoroid dots, and original Kluson tuners and nut.
Compact neck carve with a smoothed-out V shape, a nut width just shy of 1-11/16” and 24.9” scale.
With original textured chipboard case
Martin production in 1953 saw, for a short while, the use of red (aka Adirondack) spruce for guitar tops. Recently documented Martin order ledgers show large purchases of spruce tops from a Vermont mill between 1949 and 1952, which provides strong evidence that the non-Sitka ‘Mystery Tops’ are indeed red spruce. Beyond that, these 1953 guitars sound noticeably different - and noticeably better - than their Sitka-topped brethren.
This example is in exquisite condition and completely original but for its bridge saddle, which was replaced as part of the neck reset we completed recently. The reset is to our highest standards, and the guitar’s original frets are without wear and are nicely dressed. There are no cracks or repairs to the body or neck, short of a tiny b-string pickguard crack, and the instrument’s original finish is well preserved. There is some case-caused wear on the upper treble side, and a handful of marks on the top and neck, but no playwear to the top, neck, or back.
The guitar has a wonderfully dynamic and balanced voice, with the dry snap and increased power of red spruce. Beautiful definition, clean and clear fundamental, strong bass register and full top-end. The guitar has the strong mid-range typical of straight-braced 50s Martins, but a lot more to offer to the ears than the great majority of rosewood 000s built during that decade.
Perfectly straight-grained rosewood back and sides, tortoise-shell celluloid bindings and pickguard, wooden purflings and rosette (a feature that remained specific to Style 21 after Martin adopted Celluloid trim in around 1930). Rosewood fingerboard and unmodified bridge, original style 21 pins with ivoroid dots, and original Kluson tuners and nut.
Compact neck carve with a smoothed-out V shape, a nut width just shy of 1-11/16” and 24.9” scale.
With original textured chipboard case