C. F. Martin 0-16NY Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1967), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 219970, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This little Martin is an early (if unheralded) example of a "vintage' re-issue; one of the first in the company's history. Beginning in the early '60's there was a groundswell of demand for 1920's style 12-fret Martin guitars, which were considered more "authentic" folk instruments than the newer 14-fret styles common since the 1930's. Joan Baez in particular was very influential in this regard-her use of an already-vintage 12-fret 0-45 became an icon of the era. The 0-16NY was offered beginning in 1961 as an affordable guitar for folk -style playing with either steel or nylon strings-to this end they were built much lighter than the 'modern' steel string Martins of the time. The satin (non-gloss) finish and trimmings are very plain but the guitar is built with Style 18 materials; a spruce top with a mahogany body and neck. Essentially this is a re-issue of a late 1920's 0-18, with a wide 12-fret neck, slot head, small bridge, no pickguard and only side dot position markers. Although advertized as suitable for nylon strings or steel when new, these guitars have full traditional Martin X-bracing and handle light steel strings perfectly well. Suitable for many styles beyond traditional folk, this is very nice under the radar Martin model!
Overall length is 38 1/4 in. (97.2 cm.), 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.). Overall a very nice example; with a fairly recent neck set this is an excellent player. There is checking to the top and a the top center seam has been re-sealed but the only serious repair is an old crushed-in area of mahogany on the treble side/bottom near the endpin about 2" X 1". All the original wood is present and the repair is solidly sealed up but there has been no sanding or overspray so it is easliy seen and felt. Other than this anomaly the rest of the guitar is pretty clean, with just some dings and a bit of playwear to the top near the soundhole and bridge. Very nice sound both finger and flatpicked; this would be an excellent stage or songwriting guitar and a very affordable choice in a small body lightly built old Martin. Overall Excellent - Condition.
