{"product_id":"c-f-martin-style-b-flat-back-mandolin-1931-14295","title":"C. F. Martin Style B Flat Back Mandolin (1931)","description":"C. F. Martin Style B Model Flat Back Mandolin (1931), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 14953, natural lacquer finish, rosewood back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMartin mandolins remain fairly obscure to most modern players but on the whole are not particularly rare. This early-depression era Style B is a fairly uncommon model; in Martin mando-terms a big step up from the MUCH more common mahogany Style A. The stylistic equivalent of a Style 21 guitar, the Style B has a Brazilian rosewood body with herringbone inlay for the backstrip and soundhole ring, multiple wood binding back and front and slotted diamond inlay in the ebony fingerboard. The neck has a fairly round backed \"U\" profile, while the headstock has a Vinaccia-style cutout and is fitted with bowlback-style integrated tuners under engraved covers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Style B mandolin was introduced in 1914 and stayed in production intermittently up until WWII in ever-decreasing numbers; it briefly re-appeared in 1946 then was gone forever. This example was made in 1931, just as the Depression was starting to kick in and the mandolin had mostly fallen out of favor; the list price at the time was $40, plus case. It is one of 50 made that year, an isolated batch with no production runs the year before or for several years after. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this early period all Martin mandolins were rather more lightly built offering a generally livelier sound than the more commonly found 1940-60s Style A's. This is a fine playing rosewood instrument and to modern ears a very nice and rather unique sounding mandolin. The tone is a bit gentler and less barky than the typical Gibson but with more depth than some and a nice sparkle to it.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 24 1\/4 in. (61.6 cm.), 9 11\/16 in. (24.6 cm.) width, and 2 5\/8 in. (6.7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1\/8 in. (29 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis mandolin is a nice survivor of 95 years on Earth, all original showing visible signs of use but still sounding lovely. The all-original thin lacquer finish shows light checking with dings, scratches and scuffs overall, most notably a deeper pickwear area into the top wood off the back edge of the inlaid pickguard which has a wear spot on its face. The finish is also worn though along the top edge in the usual armwear spot, and along the lower soundhole rim. There are some small scratch marks to the top but no cracks on the instrument. The back of the neck is worn down to the wood in the first position with some small dings higher up.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe instrument remains all original and complete, including the integrated tuners, carved ebony bridge and impossible-to-find-if-missing engraved tailpiece cover. Internally several back braces have been visibly reglued. The original bar frets have been polished out and leveled, there is a bit of wear to the ebony fingerboard but playability is excellent. While less \"gutty\" sounding than many Gibsons this dainty gem of a mandolin offers a bright, peppy tone and plenty of volume. This would make an excellent old time or recording mandolin, complete in a the original HSC. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"C. F. Martin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59154298241164,"sku":"14295","price":2250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_fa4fe485-14b3-4b4a-89df-15f8fc3d34aa.jpg?v=1789512727","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/c-f-martin-style-b-flat-back-mandolin-1931-14295","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}