Martin 0-21 1903 | HOLD | (v2040) Martin began production of the '0' size body in 1898 and continued through 1973. Thirty-three 0-21s were produced in 1903. With a lower bout width of 13 1/2", the '0' size was a relatively large body for Martin. Of course, Martin was still using gut strings on both fan-braced and X-braced guitars in 1903. But many luthiers, sellers and players of these Martins have come to learn that the early X-braced Martins usually handle very light gauge strings with no issues. This particular X-braced example is strung with steel and sounds fantastic.
The back and sides are beautiful, straight-grained Brazilian rosewood. The top is red spruce. The neck is cedar with a Brazilian overlay on the headstock. The ebony fingerboard is inlaid with four petite position markers at frets 5, 7 and 9. The strip tuners are original and engraved with a fleur-de-lis motif. The (replaced) bridge is ebony. The top is X-braced and features multiple b/w purfling rings around the top and sound hole. The sound hole and back strip feature the classic Martin 'herringbone' trim. The frets are the original bar frets. The nut has some age but likely not original.
The body measures 13 1/2" across at the lower bout. The finger board measures 1 13/16" across at the nut and scale length is just under 25". The neck is carved in a very soft 'V' and very comfortable in the hand.
Prior repairs were extensive but well executed and include: a top crack repair; several back crack repairs; lower bout crack repair; refinish; headstock repair (note that this appears to be a hairline only, not through, as confirmed in the photos); replaced bridge and bridge plate; replaced bridge pins. We recently reset the neck and leveled and dressed the frets.
Although the guitar has seen extensive repairs over its existence, it is now very solid, well set up and looks and sounds great. The large (plywood no less) bridge plate that was part of an earlier repair was left in place and, coupled with the belly bridge, allow the guitar to be strung up as a '30s Martin with light gauge steel strings and consequently the guitar produces an exceptional sound! The tone is very clear with great sustain, depth and strength. It's just a pleasure to play, and difficult to put down, surely a pleasant surprise to us!
Comes with its original hard case.
Check out the sound clip
The back and sides are beautiful, straight-grained Brazilian rosewood. The top is red spruce. The neck is cedar with a Brazilian overlay on the headstock. The ebony fingerboard is inlaid with four petite position markers at frets 5, 7 and 9. The strip tuners are original and engraved with a fleur-de-lis motif. The (replaced) bridge is ebony. The top is X-braced and features multiple b/w purfling rings around the top and sound hole. The sound hole and back strip feature the classic Martin 'herringbone' trim. The frets are the original bar frets. The nut has some age but likely not original.
The body measures 13 1/2" across at the lower bout. The finger board measures 1 13/16" across at the nut and scale length is just under 25". The neck is carved in a very soft 'V' and very comfortable in the hand.
Prior repairs were extensive but well executed and include: a top crack repair; several back crack repairs; lower bout crack repair; refinish; headstock repair (note that this appears to be a hairline only, not through, as confirmed in the photos); replaced bridge and bridge plate; replaced bridge pins. We recently reset the neck and leveled and dressed the frets.
Although the guitar has seen extensive repairs over its existence, it is now very solid, well set up and looks and sounds great. The large (plywood no less) bridge plate that was part of an earlier repair was left in place and, coupled with the belly bridge, allow the guitar to be strung up as a '30s Martin with light gauge steel strings and consequently the guitar produces an exceptional sound! The tone is very clear with great sustain, depth and strength. It's just a pleasure to play, and difficult to put down, surely a pleasant surprise to us!
Comes with its original hard case.
Check out the sound clip