A Mid-19th-Century Martin Guitar

2008
AL#93 p.35      ALA1 p.90         
Jeff Liverman                                                                                           

▪ No size designation is given to this Martin, and no dimensions are printed on the scaled down plans reproduced in the magazine. The author’s guess is that the guitar was made in the 1840-1850 period. Though we automatically assume that a flattop guitar uses steel strings, Martin guitars of this period invariably were intended for gut strings and reproductions intended for use with steel strings should use very light strings indeed. With 4 photos. Complete full-size plans for this guitar are available as GAL Instrument Plan #57.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.