Meet Dick Boak and Richard Johnston to talk about the history of Martin Guitars

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Permalink Reply by dick boak on June 9, 2009 at 12:32pm

Mark,

We can probably find a slight more info on Darco guitars in the archive room, especially in one of the Telesales Wholesale Catalogs from that era. I think 1980 is about right. They were made in Korea, at least that's my recollection, probably at the Samick factory. We don't have a lot invested in Darco guitars emotionally and as a result, not a lot of archiving would have been done on that line.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Preuss on June 9, 2009 at 12:42pm

Thanks Dick,

The guitar has burned in the center brace Darco Guitars made in Japan for C.F. Martin Co. very similar to the markings on an early 70's sigma.

Mark

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Permalink Reply by Bob Montalvo on June 9, 2009 at 11:12am

I purchased my first Martin... an MMV in September of 2007 but I noticed that it doesn't have a rectanguler paper visible through the sound hole identifying it's model and serial number. The number is pressed into the base of the neck and is visible... but I'm wondering whether I can write Martin and ask them to send me an identifying sticker that I can place inside my guitar. By the way, I've assumed that the MMV model is really a D-14 or D-15.

Dr. Montalvo

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Permalink Reply by dick boak on June 9, 2009 at 12:36pm

Dr. Montalvo, Not all guitars get a paper label. This is reserved for Special and Limited Editions, or for models that require a statement of origin, or where more information (like patent numbers) is necessary. A laser etched neck block is typical for most all Martin models. The solid mahogany block represents standard series dovetail models (and above), while the small maple plate represents the 16 Series (and below). If you don't have a label, it is because none is called for. I suspect in that situation, Martin would have difficulty furnishing one.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Soll on June 9, 2009 at 11:15am

I have a JC 21 that I bought about 20 years ago, used at Mandolin Bros. I love it although it's had a neck reset and 2 bridge replacements at last count. The top is very thin and it's an incredibly responsive finger-style instrument. What's the history of this model? It has a beautiful oval sound hole - is this the only model with such a shape?

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Permalink Reply by Richard N. Johnston on June 9, 2009 at 12:37pm

According to Dick's production charts on page 267 of Book Two, the J-21MC was only made in 1986, and only 57 were built. The model code stamped on the neckblock of your guitar may be JC-21, but a J-21MC and a JC-21 would be the same model (Martin was still putting the "C" for cutaway after the Style portion of the model code, but later decided to make it a suffix to the body code instead).
The J-40MC (or JC-40) had the same shape and body materials, but the extra binding and inlay of the fancier Style 40.

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Permalink Reply by Lonnie Knight on June 9, 2009 at 11:21am

I bought a new Martin D-41 in January 1970 from the Podium in Minneapolis. Is there any chance that it was made with the last of the Brazilian Rosewood? The guitar sounds incredible.

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Permalink Reply by Lonnie Knight on June 9, 2009 at 11:57am

Oh, yeah... SN: 266689

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Permalink Reply by Richard N. Johnston on June 9, 2009 at 12:44pm

See page 77 of Book Two, Martin's records indicate that D-41 production was switched from Brazilian rosewood to East Indian rosewood beginning with serial number 255717. Martin would have been using high-grade woods for your D-41 for sure, as the D-41 and D-45 were the highest models they offered at that time. I've also seen D-41 models from that period with what appear to be either German or Engelmann spruce tops, but I don't believe there are any records on that at Martin. It was quite obvious when they were new (and I hate to admit it, but I was already studying Martins at the time) because the tops were much lighter in color, almost white, compared to regular models.

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Permalink Reply by Lonnie Knight on June 9, 2009 at 12:50pm

The top on my guitar when new was virtually white. I seem to recall someone referring to it as "Alpine spruce." I had never seen a guitar with such a pale top.

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Permalink Reply by dick boak on June 9, 2009 at 12:53pm

I would have to say no, extremely unlikely. #266689 indicates a guitar made in mid-year of 1970. Are you sure you bought it in January of 1970? It is more likely that it was completed in June or July of that year. Any Martin expert can identify Brazilian or Indian rosewood readily by appearance as well as smell, though some Indian rosewood will turn from purple to brown if exposed to sunlight.

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Permalink Reply by Lonnie Knight on June 9, 2009 at 12:59pm

I could well be wrong about January... we're talking Minnesota, and it was a lot of years and miles ago. I DO know it was before summer, pretty chilly out, but around here "before summer" covers a lot of ground.

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