Description: https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2016/02/1920s-martin-made-ss-stewart-style-b.html?m=1 I seem to be pretty good at finding Stewart-branded Martins and the like. Here'sa 1923 guitarthat was probably built around the same time as this mandolin and here's abowlback Martin/Stewart mandolinthat shares the same pickguard. This mandolin is almost bit-for-bit the same as a Martin style B (rosewood/spruce) mandolin of the same general time (late teens, early 20s) but there are a few features off -- including a stained-maple fretboard with dot markers (dots are featured on that bowlback, too), slightly thinner "volute" at the headstock rear, and a different pickguard shape. I've worked onone other Martin-made mandolinthat had a maple/stained board (and was, seemingly, from the same period) and so perhaps there was a run made that way for a short time. The board on this one looks like what that other one looked like before I refretted it. It's clearly a take on a style B and was clearly made by Martin -- I had a consignor's Ditson-branded style B from around the same timealsoin-shop at the time of this blog post that makes direct comparison pretty easy. As for the sound -- it's got that high-class Vega-style bowlback clarity with the added depth of flatback warmth and good overall punch/volume. This, to my thinking, is the epitome of the classic flatback sound that you seem to only achieve with (Brazilian, in this case) rosewood back/sides. It works equally well for folk, old-time, and Celtic stylings. The handling is quick and easy but the ever-so-slightly-bigger neck profile compared to slightly-later Martin mandolins means that it's a lot more comfortable for me, personally. My hands cramp up like crazy on thinner front-to-back necks. Like other period Martins, I suggest the lightest-gauge strings even if it will handle 10s. The bracing's pretty light and these were intended for "period" bowlback-style gauges. It plays perfectly and is good to go. The coolest thing about this instrument is that it's been scratch-signed all over with peoples' names and "tags." This was really common for college kids in the '20s and I'm expecting that's how this one got that way. Top wood:solid spruce Back & sides wood:solid Brazilian rosewood Bracing type:ladder Bridge:ebony Fretboard:ebonized maple Neck wood:mahogany Action height at 12th fret:1/16" overall (fast, spot-on) String gauges:32w-9 GHS extra lights (extra pack in case) Neck shape:medium C/U Board radius:flat Neck relief:straight Fret style:small Scale length:13 1/8" Nut width:1 1/8" Body width:9" Body depth:2 7/8" Weight:1 lb 7 0z Condition notes:it's all-original save the scratching in the top and back. There's one tiny repaired hairline crack near the fretboard extension on top but it's otherwise crack-free. The neck is straight and it plays bang-on quick and easy. It comes with:a newer hard case.
Price: 1199 USD
Location: Chandler, Arizona
End Time: 2024-11-21T03:17:51.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: Martin
Exact Year: 1920
