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

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Permalink Reply by Kevin McCormick on June 9, 2009 at 12:14pm

I'm currently recording with a Martin ca. 1840-50. It's a nylon string with a shield-shaped neck block inside. Is there any way to get a fairly accurate date for the instrument?

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Permalink Reply by Richard N. Johnston on June 9, 2009 at 1:12pm

That block you see was Martin's attempt to emulate the style of construction found on Spanish guitars. Sometimes it indicates that the guitar was made in the true Spanish fashion, with the neck heel and the neck block being made from one larger laminated block of wood, but usually such guitars with the "Spanish foot" at the base of the neckblock still have Martin's typical dove-tail neck joint.
There's probably no way to pin down a more accurate date for your guitar, but from surviving records we know Martin was still building "Spanish models" in the 1850s. What makes it confusing is that they made regular models, with the standard neck block, and ones like yours at the same time, beginning in the 1840s. A group of nuts (myself included) is trying to get more accurate info on the early (pre-1867) Martins, so please send me photos of your guitar if possible. send to:
richard@gryphonstrings.com
and thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Steven Marks on June 9, 2009 at 12:16pm

Have their been any interesting experimental guitars over the years that people at Martin really liked but that did not make it into production?

Steven Marks

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Permalink Reply by Richard N. Johnston on June 9, 2009 at 5:27pm

One particular experimental model I remember was back when Martin was first building acoustic basses. We were able to get two Dreadnought basses with maple back and sides, and we felt they had a lot more "bass" sound from the lower strings than the Jumbo version. But Martin decided to stick with the Jumbo.
I'm sure Dick Boak will recall others, because he's seen them all.

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Permalink Reply by Acoustic Guitar on June 9, 2009 at 12:31pm

Thanks for participating. If we didn't get to your question yet, check back later as Richard and Dick will continue to reply throughout the day. We appreciate your patience and support of the Acoustic Guitar Community!

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Permalink Reply by Frogngerm on June 9, 2009 at 12:51pm

Hi there, I am a guitarist from the UK. I am not currently a Martin owner but did have a very nice one. I loved your excerpt in the magazine. Thank you for researching the guitar brand that is an inspiration to every maker and most players. I was especially interested in the point about the all mahogany models selling well in leaner times: 20's/30's? They seem to be popular now again, but not especially at a keen price point, at least here in the UK. Or do any of you disagree, and think the current ones offer good value for money? Alan Totten

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Permalink Reply by Richard N. Johnston on June 9, 2009 at 5:35pm

The 15 Series guitars were at a much lower price point when they were first introduced, but the prices of genuine mahogany then began to climb and they ceased to be as much of a bargain. For example, the D-15's list price climbed from $849 to $1349 between 2000 and 2007, but the DM only went up $300 in list price during the same period.

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Permalink Reply by Richard N. Johnston on June 9, 2009 at 1:16pm

I'll be out of touch for about 90 minutes but will continue to answer questions, at least as best I can, throughout the day.
Thanks to all of you for participating!

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Permalink Reply by Fabien Degryse on June 9, 2009 at 12:46pm

Who said that jazz music and Martin guitars doesn't fit ???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxx0bO1Kht8

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Permalink Reply by Teja Gerken, Senior Editor on June 9, 2009 at 1:19pm

Very cool!

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Permalink Reply by Ken Graves on September 6, 2009 at 6:46pm

Absolutely beautiful! Which model are you playing, by the way?

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Permalink Reply by Richard Chalgren on June 9, 2009 at 12:51pm

I also have a Martin (I think) HD-28 that I picked up in a Tucson pawn shop in 1977 for $150.00. I was rough many dings and above normal wear and tear and had the Martin logo sanded off the headstock. I could not find a serial number, but I have compared it to my other HD-28 Grand Marquis and I notice no difference in construction or woods at all inside or out. It sounds and plays with a sound comparable to my HDGM and I've used it as "traveling and party" guitar since I purchased it. Is it a Martin? Probably not, but you should hire the guy who made it if he's still alive. Any thoughts on this?

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