Martin 0-21 (1930)

Description

When one says "pre-war Martin", the first thing that springs to mind is probably a big, boomy, bluegrass dreadnaught - but America's favorite guitar manufacturer has so much more to offer if you know what you're looking for. This 1930 0-21 shows a different side of what Martin were building in the first half of the 20th century, with a far more warm and intimate sound than one might get out of a flatpicking guitar from the same decade. As with more recent model years, the 0-21 features a spruce top with a rosewood back and sides, but due to the age of this instrument, it's an open and played-in Adirondack spruce top in combination with now-prohibited Brazilian rosewood instead. Dating from just the first year in which the single-aught was braced for steel strings, this instrument shows a company in transition, interested in meeting the changing American musical landscape while also doing everything they could to stay afloat during the Great Depression. It's not just a fine instrument, it's an incredible piece of history and one of the best guitars in our store.

This instrument has seen a significant amount of work and alteration over nearly 100 years - the most notable and obvious is a full refinishing, which was performed at an indeterminate point in the past. This new finish is less glossy than an original Martin finish and looks closer to a varnish or French polish finish than a lacquer. The bridge and saddle are both non-original and are period-accurate reproductions of the original through-saddles Martin used at this time. The neck was also reset within the last ten years. Overall action and set up is low, and the guitar tends to respond best to gentle play and a moderate right hand. We consider it to be in good condition. Included in the price is a non-original fiberglass case manufactured for Crossrock, which fits the guitar very well.

*Please note, per our return policy, all sales on used and consignment instruments are final.*