The long and varied career of the Martin Guitar Company has had many fascinating turns across the decades. Back in the 1930s, Martin tried their hand at building Archtop guitars, many of which were later retopped as flattop acoustics. The C-2 Conversion we have here is just such a guitar–and we steel-string players couldn’t be happier. The Brazilian Rosewood back and sides are chocolate-rich (as is the voice), and the Spruce top has been masterfully braced for maximum projection. This is an excellent example of Martin’s early OM designs: tight waist, compact curves, and a well-balanced voice with low-end rumble that’s perfectly attuned to sweet, present treble strings.

According to its owner–tthe Irish multi-instrumentalist virtuoso John Doyle–this one was built in 1937, and is excellently broken-in and opened up, and plays with a vigorous tonality matched only by its shocking clarity. Martin’s OM shape gives this guitar a dynamic range which excels at fingerstyle with a thumbpick to bring out the crisp bass notes, or with flatpicks to make tunes sound full and complex, and the rounded neck profile is exceedingly comfortable on the hands. A guitar of this uniqueness won’t be here long; you’ll need to come play it before it’s gone!

Just when you think you’ve got the vintage Martin sound memorized, there comes a guitar like this 1957 D-21 to turn it on its head. Think of it this way: this D-21 has had 58 years in which to learn how to sound good–and brother, this guitar took notes. The voice that comes screaming out of this Brazilian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce box is true vintage, broken in, opened up, and raring to go. The trebles are crisp and sweet, and the bass rolls like a kettle drum. Flatpickers will have their solos explode across the airwaves with the great projection and sustain, and Traditional-style fingerpickers have a strong, articulate voice in which to express themselves and their favorite arrangements. And this isn’t just your run-of-the-mill Martin from the 50’s–this D-21 has recently had a tune up at the hands of our own Ken Jones, who has restored this guitar to the playing condition of its adolescence.

Ever wonder what gorgeous vintage woods could do with a new pair of legs? Cover many more miles of great music, that’s what. Now, you can rest assured that this D-21 is ready for another 30 years. All that warmth, that punchy growl, the big, loud bark–all of that has been preserved for the next chapter of its life–in your hands. This guitar comes with a Martin molded hardshell case.

We’ve got another fine addition to our Martin family in the store today: a 1954 Martin 000-21 in Brazilian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce! This vintage Martin has a nice, fat voice and a warm, woody tone that’s completely opened up. The 000 body provides a tight articulation across the registers, and that Brazilian Rosewood back and sides gives the guitar some great projection, making it an excellent choice for more rockin styles of music or Appalachian Trad. Flatpicked, this guitar’s got plenty of bark to go around, and the narrow nut/saddle allows for easy playing. Thanks to the 14 fret neck, the tone is a bit darker than other 000’s, and has more low-end to boast about. This Martin has been making music for 60 years, most recently with four time Grammy award-winner David Holt, it’s present owner, and it’s ready for more.

The 1920’s were a good decade for Martin Guitars, and this 1926 00-18 is a fine example of the calibre of instrument America was producing at that time. The warmth, vigor, and bright tone of this 00 is very impressive; the guitar has completely opened up, given its almost centenarian status. For an instrument of this age, it’s in remarkable condition, with minimal play wear and only a minor crack that our own Ken Jones repaired. Pick this baby up out of its case, and you’ll be shocked at how light it is–and that lightweight construction translates into a Mahogany soundbox that has heaps and heaps of volume and a Adirondack Spruce top. Fingerstylists and Traditional musicians, this guitar will sing beneath your fingertips.

Martin lovers, rejoice! We just landed a sweet old package in the shop: a 1941 Martin 000-28, formerly owned by famed guitarist of Union Station, co-founder of Blue Highway, and accomplished producer of performers like Kenny Chesney: Tim Stafford. This guitar has bucketfuls of tone; it's got tone spilling out of the sound hole the second you pull it out of the case. And what a wonderful sound this Martin makes! The Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and the Engelmann Spruce top have opened up completely, giving the guitar a strong, hearty, mature character. This one's definitely not over the hill yet: it sounds as loud and as strong as someone in their prime. It belts it out, too—and the entire instrument vibrates as you play it; it's an enveloping experience. Lastly, this guitar is over seven decades old, but still has almost surgical articulation. It is, of course, a survivor of a tempestuous 74 years, and it bears the scars of all that blood, sweat, and tears proudly, and doesn't suffer for it acoustically at all. And, to prevent any scars in the future, this Martin comes with a TKL tweed hardshell case.