C. F. Martin Style A Model Flat Back Mandolin (1949), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # A-19298, natural lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original brown chipboard case.
This Martin Style A mandolin was made in 1949, not ling after mandolin production was resumed at Nazareth after a break during WWII. This was the company's most basic 8-string offering, a plain but effective design that remained in production for many decades with only minimal changes. The body and neck are mahogany, the top spruce and decoration is on the level of the Style 18 guitars, with tortoise celluloid binding on the body and an unbound, dot inlaid rosewood fingerboard.
Exactly 350 of these were shipped in 1949, a fairly typical figure for this solid-selling but often overlooked model. This just post-war Style A is built a bit lighter and offers a livelier sound compared to many of the more commonly found 1950s-60s examples. The mandolin shows some signs of use over the past 95+ years but still sounds lovely.
Overall length is 24 in. (61 cm.), 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm.) width, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) deep. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
This one is generally well preserved overall, showing some play time from its 75+ years on the planet but no notable damage or repair. The original lacquer finish has ambered noticeably and shows some fine checking and wear mostly to the top. There are small handling marks and dings overall, with pick wear to the wood above and below the fingerboard extension, by the pickguard edge and most heavily to the lower soundhole rim. The back and back of the neck are much cleaner, while there is a small mark on the headstock face from something once glued there.
This mandolin retains all original hardware including the strip Waverly tuners, carved ebony bridge and remains complete including the oft-missing tailpiece cover which shows very light corrosion. The original frets have virtually no wear and this Style A plays as well as any we have had, with a bright bouncy tone. Overall this is a nice example and an excellent old time or recording mandolin, complete in a period (possible originally issued) chipboard case designed for another longer mandolin. Overall Very Good + Condition.
