The 1-45 guitars are common in this group. Just over 2,000 guitars appeared on the market in this time.Ī considerable dip in demand occurred in 1901, resulting in the company introducing a largest Martin guitar size and a 12-fret design. This causes used Martin guitars to show wear.
Martin guitar serial numbers on earlier guitars are typically on the back of the head-stock. Let’s see more details depending on the guitars’ production year. Serial numbers are on the neck block inside the sound hole, on the back of the head-stock, or on the neck joint.
The most common Martin serial numbers will have 6 digits due to an influx in manufacturing quantities in the 1960s and 1970s. Martin guitar serial numbers will have between 4 and 7 serial numbers.
The serial numbers begin with 8001, as the company estimated that they already had 8,000 guitars prior to 1898 in their portfolio.
The company started branding guitars with a serial number in 1898. To ascertain a guitar’s value and authenticity, look at the serial number. This is why you have to pay attention to the Martin guitar serial numbers.įurthermore, the company has created many different guitars with similar designs throughout its history. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with cheap replicas that capitalize off the Martin name. Known for their rich sound and superb build, many Martin guitars are high-ticket collectible items. While the brand has produced diverse types of guitars since their infancy in 1833, their steel string flat-top guitars are the most sought-after. Martin & Co.Martin guitars are widely considered to be some of the greatest instruments in existence. Martin head stock veneer Brazilian rosewood C-3 C. Photos courtesy of Kansas City Vintage Guitars.Ĭirca 1936 photo of a young lady playing this guitar when it was almost new, note bound pick guardġ-3/4" 1931 abalone C. Ivoroid bound tortoiseshell celluloid pick guard (missing) - see photos belowĬ. Pearl "snowflake" fingerboard inlays beginning at the 5 th fret Straight braces (similar to other arch-top guitars) Round sound hole with single sound hole ringĪdjustable ebony bridge with ivory saddle Purfling: White and black celluloid lines Top: Most carved-top Martin guitars had Sitka spruce tops, although a few Adirondack spruce tops may have been made The case its original to the guitars and appears to be a Style C case. The original tuners are clipped plate Grover G-98 machines although three have been replaced with later types of machines. Serial number 49524 was stamped on Decemand cleared final inspection on January 15, 1932. C-3 guitars are also very scarce with only 109 C-3, two C-3S and one C-3TS guitars being made between 19. I had a retail price of $200, $20 m0re than a OM-45. The C-3 guitars were the most expensive regular production instrument made by Martin in 1931. The C-3 guitar in this entry was the 21 st C-3 made. Only forty-six C-3 guitars were made with the round hole. The C-3 came in two versions, the early guitars having a round sound hole and the later ones having f-holes. To compensate the neck angle was greater than most other arched-top guitars. Martin opted to keep a basically flat back and continued to glue the fingerboard extension to the top of the guitar while most arched-top guitars had an elevated fingerboard.
However, Martin took a different approach to making arched-top guitars compared to its competitors. These carved-top guitars were based on the same 000-size body used for the flat top guitars. They were offered in three models C-1, C-2 and C-3, with the C-3 guitars being the most expensive. Martin launched its carved-top guitars in June 1931.