#1
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1934 Martin C1 archtop
Its been refinished-but looks good. I was going to convert to a flattop 000.
Any ideas on to convert or not? Thanks Mike Last edited by Kerbie; 01-14-2018 at 06:53 PM. Reason: Removed details |
#2
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Convert a perfectly fine arch top to a flattop? Criminal.
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#3
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Those Martin archtops are quite unloved, and it seems to be a thing to put a flat top on them. Personally I don't get it. It goes from being a neat old guitar with history, interest, probably great playability and interesting tone (think Dave Rawlings and his equivalent Epiphone) to being a guitar someone put a different top on. Neither a Martin or not, after that conversion. I would vote to keep it as is. Lots of old guitars got refinished along the way, we might not do it now but a decent refinish done properly is a far cry from changing the top.
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Brian Evans Around 15 archtops, electrics, resonators, a lap steel, a uke, a mandolin, some I made, some I bought, some kinda showed up and wouldn't leave. Tatamagouche Nova Scotia. |
#4
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I agree. Leave it alone and either sell it if you don't want it or keep it and enjoy its uniqueness. And/or buy a 000 that meets your criteria.
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#5
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The crazy thing is these get sold (and bought) specifically to do the conversion...
Brian
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Brian Evans Around 15 archtops, electrics, resonators, a lap steel, a uke, a mandolin, some I made, some I bought, some kinda showed up and wouldn't leave. Tatamagouche Nova Scotia. |
#6
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I'm also against flattop conversion therapy. If you want a flattop there are certainly many new and vintage options out there.
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#7
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1934 Martin C1 archtop
No.
No way. Uh-uh. Negatory. Out of the question. Not on this planet. Not nohow, not no way, not never. End of story. Period. Elvis has left the building.
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#8
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Quote:
If it's already refinished, and it's yours, go ahead. It will be a much more keep-able, or sale-able, instrument IF it's done well. I saw the pictures. It can only get better, but it will not be inexpensive. I've played a bunch of Martin conversions, including David Bromberg's F-7, and the when they're done correctly they're amazing. HE |
#9
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Wasn't it Dave Bromberg who took a Martin Archtop to .....can't remember who - who did the fislrt arch to flat-top conversin.
It is probably about the fact that Martins had flat (BRW) backs and didn't hack it compared to Gibson L-5s and similarly priced Epiphones etc. So it was the BRW backs and sides and a perceived gap in guitar size that started this conversion business going. Now Martins have introduced the "M" model (?) making this conversion unnecessary unless the BRW and possibly the neck - is significant to you. I recently saw a Martin archtop for sale for a considerable price although we all know it would never by as good as a percussive rhythm guitar as a Gibson L-5 or some such. I'd say it would be best NOT to convert.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#10
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Over a decade later Martin finally decided to make the M-38, the first 3 of which went to the Chapin brothers. There is also a trend toward converting Martin classical guitars. I’m not against either being done. HE |
#11
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I think you can an idea of some of what these guitars are capable of listening to Tom Espinola of Lulu's Fate play one in this concert. Saw them play much the same concert and and more last weekend. Some fine old time, Appalachian and traditional here.
Jeff https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2XcZTEO6ggU
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Flammang RS35, Flammang el35, SC 000 12 Fret ss, SC H13, SC PJ, Rockbridge 00, Eastman 810ce, Recording King RPH 03, Martin LX (on loan), Martin 0018vs (given to Godson), Lowden F388c (traded), SC OM (traded), Martin OM28v (traded), Martin 00017s (sold), Bourgeois Martin Simpson Slope D 12 fret (sold), Larrivee Parlor (traded), Larrivee L05MT (sold), Gibson LG1 (sold), Seagull Folk (traded) |
#12
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Once an archtop, always an archtop. It would upset me to see an archtop converted to a flat top. Please leave it as it is.
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#13
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If most of these are being converted, could it be possible that one day finding one of these in original archtop configuration will be rare and the value drastically increase?
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Gibson J15 Martin Custom D Classic |
#14
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Quote:
The video with Tom Espinola is a perfect example of using it to really good effect, but it’s clearly not a good sounding guitar. It works in a very narrow sound-style. Clearly Martin didn’t finish the thought when they decided to put arch/carved tops on flat-top bodies, and they did not crack the market. HE |
#15
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Just one man's opinion, but a mahogany-backed C-1 is not nearly as attractive a conversion candidate as a C-2, with Brazilian rosewood back and sides.
Why not just find a nice 000-18 and leave this one be?
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Neal A few nice ones, a few beaters, and a few I should probably sell... |