C. F. Martin Style 45
C.F. Martin 1919 O-45
An original early pre-war Martin Style 45 guitar with a rare early Cedar or Sitka spruce top.
It has been said that Martin was experimenting in the late teens with what was then known as "Airplane Spruce."
TJ has observeed that the top feels like cedar. The top has been authenticated as original by TJ Thompson, with original bracing and bridge plate.
Finish is original, with overspray on the Brazilian Rosewood back. A new original OM Style pickguard has been fashioned for this guitar by TJ Thompson. A traditional 45 style torch inlay in abalone decorates the headstock, and 45 style fancy inlays are on the ebony fingerboard. Abalone trim on the perimeter of the top, sides, and back of the guitar is unusually brilliant and fine.
Serial number 14302
This 1919 0-45 has a backstrip design which is not the typical for a Style 45, though 1919 saw many differences due to the huge growth in production and problems with meeting the demand.
Illustrated in Longworth, Boak, and Johnston "Martin Guitars, A Technical Reference" p. 80:
earlymartin.com
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