Scotia, NY, United States
About this listing
Style 27 is one of the most elegant of Martin's 19th century designs...dressing the solid Brazilian back and sides/solid red spruce top (standard for the era) are multi-color 'rope' style top purflings, an abalone ring at the center of the rosette, bound fret board, and a multi-colored marquetry back strip. The inside of the top is marked from the factory in pencil with the date "7/93" indicating that it was built in 1893. The guitar had a careful restoration in 1992, evidenced by another marking inside the top reading "restored 1992" along with the illegible signature of the craftsman. The restoration was very well done and included the following work: Removal of the back to facilitate replacement most the top bracing. The X, tone bar and bridge plate were replaced, while it appears that the upper transverse brace, the sound hole braces and finger braces are original to the guitar. It isn't clear why the top bracing was in need of replacement. The replacement braces are consistent in placement with the originals and are well shaped/crafted, scalloped like the originals, perhaps just slightly more robust than the originals but not by much. The replacement bridge plate is the same foot print and thickness as the original. The re-installation of the back was done perfectly, such that no evidence of removal exists. There are three back cracks that were likely repaired at the same time along with a number of small hairline side cracks, all of which are tight/flat/stable. Several top cracks were also repaired during the restoration and remain closed and stable. The neck was reset and it looks as if the fret board was replaced and (obviously) new frets installed. The person doing the work paid proper attention to the correct thickness of the fret board for the period of the guitar. A new bridge was made and installed (striped ebony). It appears as if the back finish was either lightly over-sprayed or French polished. The finish on the top, sides and neck appear to be original. Original 19th century Seidel tuners. The guitar is solid structurally and presents well cosmetically. The action is quite comfortable for fingerstyle, strung currently with silk and steel strings and there is saddle left for adjustment. Comes with a modern hard case. Ships to US addresses only, no international shipping offered. The shipping rate is set to get the guitar from the east coast (where I am) to the west coast. If you'd like a shipping quote to your destination, please message me with your city and zip code before you buy for a quote so you don't overpay. Thanks for your interest.
Price$6,500
+ $125 Shipping
