C F Martin historians appear to avoid pre 1897 guitars. I'm in possession of a circa 1857 2-30 in lovely original condition but apart from Longworths short notes have found little information about these. Anybody out there
with a similar style or maybe style 27 who can offer photographs of theirs?

Hmm funny this send is totaly moot to the investigate query I entered in google but it was recorded on the premiere tender.

http://free-acai-berry-trials.info/

Bobby, I just found your site after searching for Civil War era music for a friend. I don't know if you will remember me but we were members at Mtn. Brook Pres (I was one of the sound goobers who ran the board). I love that Model 24, those old Martins just seem to get better with age. My own is a 1936 000-18 that I inherited from my grandfather when he passed in 1973. It just gets tonally more mature with each passing year.
I also have to thank you for introducing me to John Hartford when I was a young 10 year old struggling guitarist. That was one of the high points of my musical life.
May your strings stay tight and in tune!

Hey Buddy -- What a delight to hear from you! Since that time I played at
the same venue as John Hartford and spent some pleasant time with him. We
determined that we shared the same GR-GR-GR Grandfather (on his Mother's
side fo the family) -- so we were distant cousins. Did you know that John
died a few years ago?
I hope you'll stay in touch.
Many Blessings to you and the family in the New Year,
Bobby

Nice post I Like your site very well and continue to do so. I have bookmarked your site.

respect
james still
______________________________________________

Thank you so much -- I am honored to have you go to my site!
Happy New Year!
Bobby

I have a 1943 Martin D28 Herringbone in excellent condition which I am entrusted to sale. As a lover of vintage instruments, do you have any suggestions for people I should contact? Becky Stevens

Becky -- In my opinion you have have very valuable instrument on your hands. I will send you an email with suggested contact information. Good luck!!
Regards -- Bobby

That's one of the things that makes you stand out most from all the other period performers - the amazing quality of your instruments! Trying to listen to Dixie on a modern guitar is like trying to listen to Bach on a Piano instead of a Clavichord...a disappointment!

Speaking of which...might I ask what you've done to your banjo to make that particular tone? My father (who grew up in West Virginia during the Depression) tells me it's skin instead of mylar, but is there a brand or type of skin you prefer or that is more authentic? And is there any guideline I should follow for the strings?

Thank you for all your music.

Hi Ben. Thank you so much for your kind words and for your interest in my recordings!
Your father is spot-on regarding a skin head for the banjo. In the old days I used a skin head on my open back banjos to get the old "thump" sound. There were times I would open my case to do a performance and the head had popped due to temperature / humidity changes. (Gut strings present the same problems.) There is a mylar head made by Waverly that has been out for quite a few years called fiber skyn -- this head looks and sounds just like a good, tight skin head and is very dependable. I have not used the "real thing" in many years. The fiber skyn heads on my 19th century Dobson and my open back Bart Ridder have been on each for at least 10 years.
Bob Tedrow, the renowned concertina builder, introduced me to Aquila "classical banjo" strings. These Italian made strings are designed to sound just like gut -- and they really give you the "thump" of old gut strings. You may wish to try these on your old time banjo. Please give my regards to your Dad.