Product Description

Here we have a beautiful 42-style pearl Martin from 1917. This Size 1 instrument measures 12 3/4" across the lower bout, and was considered the "Standard" size in the lineup before larger and louder concert and auditorium instruments became desirable in the 1930s and 1940s. This 12-fret parlor guitar is extremely well preserved for being over 100 years old.

The 42-style instruments feature a pearl trimmed top, pearl fingerboard extension, and pearl rosette center ring. In this era, the iconic snowflake pattern was in use beginning at the fifth fret, with additional markers at the seventh, ninth, twelfth, and fifteenth frets. This style also features top and back body binding, as well as a bound neck. The original ivory bridge is also a decorative material upgrade, correct for 1917, one of the last produced before Martin would transition to ebony pyramid bridges around 1918 for instruments of this style.

The guitar has a few repaired back cracks, there is play wear on the top, and there are dings and scratches over the instrument surface. The finish on the neck is worn a touch from playing, and the finish on the back of the body looks a little sweaty, possibly from just resting in the case for many years. The headplate appears replaced with some finish touchup around the headstock. The wood set is exquisite, certainly the nicest woods Martin had available at the time. 

The tone is exactly what you'd expect from a vintage parlor Martin. It doesn't reach the volume of a larger body instrument, but is wonderfully delicate and intimate with a full tonal spectrum and excellent clarity. The neck is a soft v-shape, slimmer in overall size, and comfortable to navigate. It measures .790 at the 1st, and .930 at the 9th. It weighs 3lbs.

A truly rare and exceptional guitar in excellent condition. It ships in a period hardshell case, also in excellent condition.

Product Details