C. F. Martin 0-42 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1928), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 37451, natural lacquer finish, spruce top, Brazillian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, black hard shell case.
In the pantheon of the world's greatest acoustic guitars the pearl-trimmed, 12 fret steel strung Martins of the 1920s are well represented. In the late '20s just before Martin altered their basic designs to the 14-fret neck "Orchestra Model' pattern, the company crafted a fairly small number of their highest grade Style 42 and 45 instruments braced for steel strings instead of the gut used before then. This 1928 0-42 is one of 34 made that year, when this lovely pearl of a guitar sold for $105.00 which seems like a bargain even on period money!
This 0-42 was built of the finest materials Martin had available; superb straight-grained Brazilian rosewood for the back and sides, tight grain Appalachian spruce for the top and extravagant green-and pinkish hued abalone for the border inlay. The mahogany neck has a very soft "V" profile topped with a bound ebony fingerboard inlaid with delicate shaped pearl. The unadorned slotted headstock is simply capped in rosewood with no adornment (unlike the fanciest Style 45).
The size 0 was by this point the smallest of three models offered at the top quality level, and even though produced in the largest quantity of the these it is still a very rare guitar. The pearl-trimmed Martins were both expensive and labor intensive to build and never made in large batches. It would be rare for any but the largest dealer to order more than one at a time or even hold an example in stock. Even in the opulent times of the late 1920's there were not a lot of guitar players in a position to purchase such an elaborate flat top.
This 0-42 has a particularly interesting provenance: It includes a copy of a personal letter from longtime Martin historian Mike Longworth detailing his ownership of the guitar from 1961 through 1996 with his comments on the instrument. He notes it was purchased in New Hampshire, brought back to the Martin factory and carefully set up for him. "This is the guitar I have owned the longest, and I shall miss it" he noted in 1996. Mike passed away in 2003, leaving a legacy of scholarship about Martin's history and instruments that had been previously ignored. This 0-42 is a special guitar not only on its own merits, but boasts a wonderful connection to the C.F. Martin company's enduring legacy.
Overall length is 37 9/16 in. (95.4 cm.), 13 9/16 in. (34.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 13/16 in. (46 mm.).
This beautiful old Martin has some typical repairs through its life but remains in very fine playing condition, overall nicely cared for. The only notable alteration from 1928 spec. is an added period small-pattern pickguard in tortoise celluloid that appears to have been installed very early in the guitar's existence, almost certainly at the Martin factory. This was a common addition at the time, and the more rounded shape seen here is typical of the earliest additions before the modern "teardrop" shape was standardized. Apart from this 0-42 has retained its original design and appointments.
The original lacquer finish remains unaltered with some general wear overall, with some scratches and typical pickwear but no large areas of loss. There are no cracks at all to the top, which is a delight to find on a Martin of this vintage. The sides have no cracks, the back has several long rosewood grain splits along the lower bout that run parallel to the center seam that have been previously sealed and cleated. There is only minimal finish touch up to these repairs. The original ivoroid binding and pearl inlay is well preserved all along the neck and body.
The most notable repair is a later repro pyramid bridge, which is just a hair oversized and appear slightly lowered from original spec. Internally, the original bridgeplate is intact, with a smaller maple plate added on top to prevent further deterioration of the bridge pin holes. All of the very delicate original scalloped braces are intact and structurally sound. The lovely original engraved plate Waverly tuners are fully intact and functional.
The neck had been neatly reset at some point, and the fingerboard shows minimal wear in the ebony. The original bar frets are also in superb shape, with some typical work done in the 1960's as detailed in the letter of provenance showing no visible divots and plenty of height left. The guitar is fitted with a later bone nut and saddle. This is simply a wonderful sounding and playing guitar, with a beautiful perfectly balanced sound; a perfect example of why Martins from this period are held in such high esteem. Overall Excellent - Condition.
