And then there was a 45 from ’38. Just handling this piece of prewar history is an honor, let alone to play it—and we’re honored to offer it to you. Before discontinuing the series in 1942, Martin only built 265 45-series flattops, making only 19 000s in 1938. The venerable T.J. Thompson has handled this beauty before and vouches for its originality, as do we and our repair staff after having gone over it tuner to tail. Inside, this one has some interesting features that further set it apart. 1938 was the transition year from forward X-braced tops to rear X; look inside and you’ll see notches in the kerf lining for a forward X (with serial 69896 putting it early in ’38), but the X is actually rear shifted. Thompson confirms that it is an original Martin top with period correct pearl, and offers that the build could have started early in the year and was shelved for some reason until after the factory transitioned to rear X tops. Alternatively, the original top could have failed within the year and was replaced in 1938 or 1939 with a rear X. Regardless, this 000-45 plays like a sweet dream, and rings, rings, rings. It’s in a category of its own, and has been played in just enough for that wide awake sound, without a lot of wear and tear. Holy grail, indeed.
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This is a true holy grail guitar--the real deal that everyone searches for and the design that luthiers have been copying for decades. This one is a superb example, extremely collectible, and I guarantee it will make you smile every day you own it. | Scale Length | 24.9 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.75 in |
| String Spacing | 2.25 in |
| Woods | Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian |
And then there was a 45 from ’38. Just handling this piece of prewar history is an honor, let alone to play it—and we’re honored to offer it to you
This is a true holy grail guitar--the real deal that everyone searches for and the design that luthiers have been copying for decades. This one is a superb example, extremely collectible, and I guarantee it will make you smile every day you own it. 