Martin Parlor

[Lillian]

We had the pleasure of dining with friends tonight at their home. While being shown around I stopped and started staring. On the wall hung two Martin Parlor guitars, one Brazilian rosewood the other mahogany. I asked our host about them as soon as was polite. He told me of finding them and what he knew about them.

There isn't a label inside, nor logo on the headstock. They were stamped with some form of "Martin Guitars" in the inside. I was so excited that I honestly can't recall exactly what it said. My host went on to tell me that he inquired with Martin's historian Mike Longworth, hoping to learn a bit more about his guitars. The letter he was sent states that Mikr believes that it (the first one acquired) was a style 18, but the body does not conform to any of the sizes of record, but it most closely resembles a size 3, therefore he deemed it a 18-3. It is fan braced, which puts it between 1839 and 1850.

The guitars are in playable condition. The action is a tad bit high, but that is about all. The neck is solid, no cracks in the body. Amazing shape considering they are between 150 to 180 years old. At some point the original bridge came off and someone put a tailpiece on it. That has been since rectified. It was a joy and a pleasure to hold and enjoy. Our host offered to allow me to take it home for a while. I was stunned and amazed and said no. But I asked if he would mind if I came back to study the guitar and take as many measurements from it that I could. He was pleased that I was interested in it and assured me that he was looking forward to my return.

He also has a uke that Martin dated to 1918. It is a style 1. That was the first ukulele that I have ever held. Man they are tiny.

I am sorry that I don't have pictures right now, but I had no idea what I would find behind their door. I promise to post them when have the chance to go back and spend some time with the guitars.

[Allen]

Oh yes please. Post pictures and measurements if you ever get a chance like that again. What a great way to spend an evening.

[Lillian]

Need not worry Allen, I will be back there relatively soon I expect. I intent to stick a light inside so I can photograph the bracing as well as wear my calipers out getting all the measurements I can, including the neck profile, body tracing and side tracing. Might even turn it into a plan set when I get done with it.
They were such sweet guitars.

[Allen]

Sweet.