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Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:42 pm
by deadedith
Built by Martin for Johann Stauffer. Nice proportions. The fretboard extension is a little shocking for that point in time; it looks like a modern idea.

Re: Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:47 pm
by enalnitram
didn't some of those early Martins have something very nearly like a bolt on neck joint?

Re: Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:52 pm
by Tony_in_NYC
Are these things worth any money? My great grandfather left me two of them. They are in my attic.

Re: Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:54 pm
by Ken Hundley
No they are not, and I would be happy to relieve you of your burden....;)

Re: Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:01 pm
by Tony_in_NYC
I didnt think so. Thats very generous of you to offer Ken. I assume you will pick up the shipping? My wife will be happy to have them out of here. ;o)

Re: Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:12 pm
by deadedith
I think they are made out of Poplar.

Re: Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:21 pm
by Tony_in_NYC
deadedith wrote:I think they are made out of Poplar.
That would make sense. These were built before the other types of trees had been invented. And wheels too. They didnt even have wheels. The strings on the ones I have are woven out of human hair. Kind of gross, which is why I want to get rid of them. Plus, they are so old, they are practically firewood. I nearly used one as firewood once too. I was cold and didnt want to get up to turn up the thermostat, so I nearly burned the guitar since, back then, it was in my living room, not the attic. I was using it as a serving tray and I had just finished eating my dinner off of it. If not for the obvious dangers of setting a fire on my couch to keep warm, I would have burned it.

Re: Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:44 pm
by deadedith
Martin - like this, for some pretty early Martins. See pix.

Re: Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:50 pm
by Tony_in_NYC
Why did that guitar need an X-ray? Was it sick? I hope it pulled through.

Re: Beautiful guitar, circa 1850

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:52 pm
by tippie53
This wasn't so much a bolt on neck as it was adjustable. These were innovative builders