#1
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War Era Martin 0-18 Inlays
I recently traded a lot of abeyant gear for what I’ve been told is a 43-45 Martin 0-18. I noticed that some of my inlays are snowflakes, and some are dots. I was wondering if anyone here had any insights about this.
Thanks! |
#2
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IMHO, the slotted diamond and two slotted squares are replacements.
The year can be determined from the serial number on the neck block. Braces were scalloped until late-1944. The brace style makes a significant difference in value. |
#3
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My serial number indicates a 1943, but as best as I can tell with a mirror, it does not have the fabled scallop bracing |
#4
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What is the serial number? Martin didn’t switch to scalloped bracing until 1945, so unless it’s some odd Frankenstein guitar that has had its bracing replaced, it should be scalloped.
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#5
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89426 is the number I see. Here’s as best a picture as I can gather on the bracing: |
#6
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#89426 is from late 1944. 1944 serial numbers range from 86725 to 90149. The last scalloped guitars recorded by Martin were a batch of D-18's 89902-89926, but there have been unscalloped Martins recorded before that batch. The large rosewood bridgeplate is not original. Martin did those from 1969 until the mid-1980's. It should be a small maple plate that is 1 3/8" wide. There are other indications that point toward a retop: The cloth reinforcement at the X crossing should be dark brown. The top appears to be Sitka, rather than red spruce. The bracing is straight, rather than tapered. Last edited by John Arnold; 09-30-2022 at 12:18 AM. |
#7
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Yea that bridgeplate caught my eye too.
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