C. F. Martin D-21 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1956)

C. F. Martin  D-21 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar  (1956)
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Item # 9244
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C. F. Martin D-21 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1956), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 147689, natural lacquer finish, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
 
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 15 5/8 in. (39.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

This is a very fine-sounding workhorse of a D-21 from the first production year that shows some general wear and some old-style repair work. It remains an excellent player's instrument that is not fully original but a great performer. Overall the guitar shows finish wear and a light overspray to the top only, most noticeable in the area around the bridge and sound hole. There are scrapes, scuffs, and dings, but no major finish loss except one chip down to the wood off the front edge of the bridge. There is a small crack on the sound hole rim near the treble side of the fingerboard, sealed but still evident. There are no other cracks.

Internally this D-21 had some work done that was not uncommon many years ago, when re-issues of older, more lightly built instruments were not available. The main X-brace and tone bars were scalloped in the pre-war style and the guitar fitted with a newer ebony long-saddle bridge and larger rosewood bridgeplate. There was also a heavy high-grade ebony fingerboard added, which has only side dots, no position markers -- inlay your name, if you dare! The superb even-grained Brazilian back and sides remain undisturbed. The neck set is excellent with a perfect saddle height making this an effortless player. Considering the internal work this a very good-sounding guitar with a bright and powerful response; this "player grade" Brazilian rosewood Martin would make an excellent live performance or recording guitar. The original case is included in very good shape. Very Good + Condition.