1968 Martin 00-21 Parlor Guitar

I can't believe that I am selling this guitar. I've call it "Joni" because I think it sounds like the guitar that Joni Mitchell used on the album "Blue". This 1968 Martin 00-21 is a wonderfully intimate little guitar with the warmth, charm, and character that make vintage Martins so special. With its compact 00 body, it has the feel of a classic parlor guitar—comfortable to hold, easy to play, and perfectly suited to sitting around the living room with a song.

The 00-21 is known for its understated elegance. Rather than flashy decoration, Martin gave this model a simple, refined look that lets the beautiful wood and craftsmanship speak for themselves. The spruce top and rosewood back and sides produce a warm, balanced voice, with a sweetness in the midrange and enough clarity to let fingerpicking, folk melodies, and gentle strumming really shine.

A guitar from 1968 also carries something you simply can't manufacture: history. Nearly six decades of playing have allowed the wood to mature, giving the instrument a seasoned, responsive quality. There can be a wonderful openness to an old Martin—the notes seem to come alive with very little effort, and the guitar invites you to play softly and listen closely.

The 00 size makes this Martin especially appealing for folk, blues, country, and singer-songwriter music. It doesn't try to overpower a room. Instead, it draws people in. Its voice is personal and woody, with the kind of character that feels right beside an old song, a cup of coffee, or a quiet evening on the porch.

A 1968 Martin 00-21 is more than a vintage guitar. It is a small piece of American musical history: beautifully made, comfortably worn, and ready to become part of someone else's story.

I confess, it hasn't been played much in the last 16 years; A few song circles, where it held its own against all of the dreadnoughts, and a recording session. The back of the neck shows a little wear, and there are light pick scratches on the left side of the neck above the sound hole. The bottom of the pickguard has rolled up a little, but it doesn't affect the sound or playability.

"Joni" also comes with the original Martin case.