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  #1  
Old 08-16-2019, 08:30 AM
Robbypad Robbypad is offline
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Default 1887 Martin 2-27, Brw-Orig finish-brdge-tuners-binding-frets-brdg plate/Now $7,800

1887 Martin 2-27, Brazilian, Original and Excellent Condition

A true piece of guitar history, this original condition Martin 2-27 is a gem. I have two 19th century Martins and can part with one to a lucky AGF buyer.

WAS $8,250
NOW PRICED at $7,800: including USPS Priority, signature required shipping within the continental U.S.A. You pay for insurance and accept liability of shipping.

Guitar Martin 2-27 (1887 guitar)
Bevel No
Bracing on Top Scalloped X-Bracing
Case TKL
Cutaway No
Dimensions-Total Length 37 1/4"
Dimensions-Body Length 18 5/16"
Dimensions-Body Upper Bout 8 5/16"
Dimensions Body-Waist 6 7/8"
Dimensions-Body Lower Bout 12"
Dimensions-Body Depth 3 11/32" to 4 1/8"
Dimensions-Nut Width 1 13/16"
Dimensions-String Spacing @ Saddle 2 5/16"
Dimensions-Radius 16"
Dimensions-Scale 24.5" / 24 1/2" / 622.3mm
Electronics No
Fingerboard Ebony
Finish French Polish
Frets to Neck 12
Frets Total 18
Inlays Mother of Pearl style 42 rosette, elephant ivory heel cap, fingerboard and top/back body binding top, mother of pearl purfling border top and back, 4 Blk/White/Blk/Wht/Black circles (2 inner/2 outer of MOP circle)
Luthier C.F. Martin & Company
Luthier Website martinguitars.com
Neck Truss Rod No
Notes "Dated ""10 1887"" in big bold penciled numbers on the underside of the top. This model appeared in Martin's first price list in the early 1870s, but then its popularity faded in the 1890s as larger guitars came into fashion and the 2-27 only appeared in Martin's first catalog with illustrations (1898). A few examples were made in the first years of the twentieth century but for the most part the 2-27 model is a nineteenth century Martin. There's been a lot of confusion over the years because a 2-27 is fancier than an 0-28, but has a lower style number. Since we know Martin's style numbers were derived from their pre-Civil War wholesale prices why did a 2-27, with pearl rosette and binding on the neck, cost Martin dealers less than an 0-28? The answer is simple: the 0-28 was larger, and required much bigger pieces of rosewood, longer lengths of binding, etc. In the 1898 catalog, the 2-27 was $5 less than the slightly larger 1-27 (which was the same price as the 0-28 that year).

This example has survived with remarkably little damage and no changes, despite seeing quite a bit of playing time. No cracks to body or neck! Original tuners, original bridge, original binding throughout with only a couple of very tight hairlines. Original interior bracing and bridge plate. Original finish on top, neck, and sides. Back was given some additional French polish because the finish had been abraided by something in the bottom of the unlined chipboard case it lived in for many years. Original bar stock frets, reseated and leveled at Gryphon Stringed Instruments, where I purchased the guitar. Original style bridge pins, recently made by Frank Ford. New TKL Martin case, normally used for 3/4 size LX models, an amazingly good fit for this Martin from 130+ years earlier.

USE THESE STRINGS ONLY: Strung with John Pearse Folk ""Fingerpicking"" strings by Thomastik-Infeld (Germany). All strings are wound and are very light gauge. (Germany) .016, .024, .025, .030, .035, .043"
Nut Elephant Ivory
Pickguard No
Pickups No
Purchase-Date Purchased Aug 07, 2018
Rosette Mother of Pearl style 42 rosette, with 2 black/white/black/white/black circles on both sides of MOP ring
Saddle Elephant Ivory
Serial # None (Martin didn’t put serial numbers in guitars until 1898)
Shape Parlor
Style 6 string - Built for nylon
Tuners Original Martin tuners with elephant ivory buttons
Where Made New York City, New York
Wood-Back Brazilian Rosewood
Wood-Binding Elephant Ivory with mother of pearl purfling
Wood-Bridge Ebony
Wood-Headstock Spanish Cedar
Wood-Neck Spanish Cedar
Wood-Sides Brazilian Rosewood
Wood-Top Adirondack Red Spruce
Year Made 1887

Martin 2-27 1887 9. front view by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.1 front of body by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.2 rosette by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 8. front view and treble side by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 5. back by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 4. back and bass side by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.96 left side of front MOP rosette and elephant ivory binding by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.95 heelcap and backstrip by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.91 treble side of neck attachment by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.8 fingerboard frets 1-3 by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.7 bass side of neck 1st to 3rd frets by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.6 back of headstock by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.5 treble side of headstock by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.4 front of headstock by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr

Martin 2-27 1887 9.3 back of body by Bruce Robinson, on Flickr
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Last edited by Robbypad; 05-27-2020 at 10:01 AM. Reason: price reduction
  #2  
Old 08-27-2019, 08:43 PM
Guitars44me's Avatar
Guitars44me Guitars44me is offline
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Smile Yowza!

Cool and Historic axe for sure.

What a stash you have.

Best on your quest to divest! Haha

Congratulations to the next owner of this gem.

Cheers

Paul
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  #3  
Old 01-10-2020, 09:49 PM
roberts roberts is offline
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Back in the day Mandolin Bros got in an 1834 Martin for appraisal. I was subsequently told that a price could not be established for the guitar and it now resides in the Martin Museum. Stan came over and handed me the guitar, I played a couple of chords and, feeling my fingerprints were not worthy of being on it, quickly handed it back to him. I was literally trembling. I do remember the guitar being really clean and still having some decent sound in it.

This 1887 is the closest I've seen to that museum piece, in equally great shape, and with a price tag that looks insanely reasonable, to me at least. Best for a quick sale, Bruce. You don't see these on every street corner.

-Robert
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  #4  
Old 05-22-2020, 10:43 AM
Robbypad Robbypad is offline
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Default 1887 Martin 2-27, Brw, Orig finish-bridge-tuners-binding-frets-brdg plate/NOW:$8,000

Roberts: you have captured the essence of this wonderful piece of guitar history! Thanks for reaching out!

PRICE DROPPED TO $8,000
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  #5  
Old 05-23-2020, 07:20 AM
Schott1984 Schott1984 is offline
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I'm over here trying to:
A) Determine if it would be an investment that would appreciate over time, given that I would in-fact play this occasionally.

B) Between guitars, basses, watches, what am I willing to sell to fund this?

Wonderful piece! I can't seem to get very high resolution photos out of those links, though. Am I doing something wrong?
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  #6  
Old 05-23-2020, 12:35 PM
Robbypad Robbypad is offline
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Default Martin 2-27

Hi,

Just like the stock market, prices go up over time. There are times prices flatten or even decline, but over the long run, prices have always increased. They will increase at a faster rate for larger vintage Martins and for those built in the 1930's until the neck width was reduced to 1 11/16" mid 1939.

As to what to sell, I always recommend buying what you want so you have it. Then sell what you want to sell when you see what you value more. This is a superb specimen that plays well and for me, is a pure joy to play it thinking it was built 133 years ago and has still as it was built. I have another 19th century Martin or I would not be selling.

Please send me your email address in a PM or reply here with it and I will send you all the photos I have.

Thanks,

Bruce
[email protected]
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  #7  
Old 05-23-2020, 01:44 PM
Schott1984 Schott1984 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robbypad View Post
Hi,

Just like the stock market, prices go up over time. There are times prices flatten or even decline, but over the long run, prices have always increased. They will increase at a faster rate for larger vintage Martins and for those built in the 1930's until the neck width was reduced to 1 11/16" mid 1939.

As to what to sell, I always recommend buying what you want so you have it. Then sell what you want to sell when you see what you value more. This is a superb specimen that plays well and for me, is a pure joy to play it thinking it was built 133 years ago and has still as it was built. I have another 19th century Martin or I would not be selling.

Please send me your email address in a PM or reply here with it and I will send you all the photos I have.

Thanks,

Bruce
[email protected]
I PMed you my email address. Do you have any video or audio of guitar being played?
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  #8  
Old 05-23-2020, 02:08 PM
Robbypad Robbypad is offline
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Default 2-27

Hi Scott,

I do not have video and the guitar is in San Diego while I am in Idaho, otherwise we could video conference. That doesn't limit my ability to ship it to you.

I just sent you an email with all the photos I have.

Bruce
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  #9  
Old 05-31-2020, 11:10 AM
Robbypad Robbypad is offline
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Default Martin 2-27, 1887, original condition, new low price

Price reduction to $7,800, make a reasonable offer and this piece of history is yours.
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  #10  
Old 06-01-2020, 12:28 AM
palolowarrior palolowarrior is offline
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Bruce

The pictures on Flickr are blurry.
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  #11  
Old 06-01-2020, 10:00 AM
Robbypad Robbypad is offline
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Default 1887 Martin 2-27, Brw, Orig finish-bridge-tuners-binding-frets-brdg plate

The photos I am using for this AGF ad are the ones used by Gryphon Stringed Instruments, where the guitar was purchased through co founder/co owner Richard Johnston. The guitar is in original and beautiful condition. I do have some additional photos for those interested. You can email me at:

[email protected]

I am happy to send you the additional photos if you furnish me with your email address.

Every day is a blessing!

Bruce
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  #12  
Old 06-02-2020, 03:46 PM
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Yrksman Yrksman is offline
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Lovely guitar! I gave a 2-27 from pre 1867 stamped Martin & Co. It sounds great and I love holding a playing it wondering who, when and where that happened before I got it. Never to be sold in my lifetime.
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  #13  
Old 06-06-2020, 03:10 PM
Robbypad Robbypad is offline
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Default 1887 Martin 2-27

Hi Chris,

Wow, you have a really, really old one! That's very cool. I agree with you completely about playing an instrument as old as our old Martins from the 19th century. Every time I play my 1887 2-27 or 1898 0-18 custom, I contemplate the music and stories that have been made around the guitar.

I really shouldn't sell either of them, ever. Your email pushes me in that direction. I've sold about 70 in the past 6 years and am down from 27 guitars and 3 ukuleles 18 months ago to 16 + 3. Not much more I can bear to part with!

Bruce
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  #14  
Old 06-14-2020, 06:52 AM
jimmybcool jimmybcool is offline
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Hello All,

I am posting for Robbypad to let you all know this guitar has been sold has been delivered to a happy buyer.

Cheers.

Last edited by Kerbie; 06-14-2020 at 07:05 AM. Reason: Referencing moderator action.
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