#Martin guitar serial numbers guide serial number#

Brazilian rosewood lost its place in production in favor of rosewood from East India. Used Martin guitars from this era feature pearl inlays on the fretboard.

The most valuable models from this era feature Brazilian rosewood. Certain design elements like the zippered back seam were discontinued while bracing material changed. The necks now have ebony to provide them strength and extra reinforcement. Guitars from this group have a simpler build. Herringbone marquetry and scalloped bracing are discontinued. Guitars in this era have a noticeable change in style. Production of the D-45 stops due to the wartime shortage of materials. Used Martin guitars from this group are often the most valuable and sought-after by collectors. The famous D-45 guitars appear in this decade and start at the 53177 serial number. Stamping on the head-stock officially stopped in 1935. The company also began to include the model number directly above the serial number. Martin guitar serial numbers first appeared onto the neck block in 1930. Models with these Martin guitar serial numbers are often bigger and feature a warmer bass tone to accompany vocals. Larger sizes like the 000 are modified to accommodate 14 frets instead of the standard 12. The OM-28 appeared in 1929, becoming the first Martin guitar with steel-string that had no modifications. These guitars mark the start of Martin making the switch from gut-string guitars to steel-string guitars. So, Martin also stopped using authentic elephant ivories, instead opting for celluloid bindings and ebony bridges. They were similar in length to standard 1 sizes but featured wider sides.ĭuring this time, the first full-sized Dreadnought guitar also appeared. The 1-45 guitars are common in this group.

Just over 2,000 guitars appeared on the market in this time.Ī considerable dip in demand occurred in 1901, resulting in the company introducing a largest Martin guitar size and a 12-fret design. This causes used Martin guitars to show wear. Martin guitar serial numbers on earlier guitars are typically on the back of the head-stock. Let’s see more details depending on the guitars’ production year. Serial numbers are on the neck block inside the sound hole, on the back of the head-stock, or on the neck joint. The most common Martin serial numbers will have 6 digits due to an influx in manufacturing quantities in the 1960s and 1970s. Martin guitar serial numbers will have between 4 and 7 serial numbers. The serial numbers begin with 8001, as the company estimated that they already had 8,000 guitars prior to 1898 in their portfolio.

#Martin guitar serial numbers guide serial number#

The company started branding guitars with a serial number in 1898. To ascertain a guitar’s value and authenticity, look at the serial number. This is why you have to pay attention to the Martin guitar serial numbers.įurthermore, the company has created many different guitars with similar designs throughout its history. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with cheap replicas that capitalize off the Martin name. Known for their rich sound and superb build, many Martin guitars are high-ticket collectible items. While the brand has produced diverse types of guitars since their infancy in 1833, their steel string flat-top guitars are the most sought-after. Martin guitars are widely considered to be some of the greatest instruments in existence.