Pre-Civil War Martin Guitar

The guitar I am playing in the photo on the home page of this  site is a Model 24 Martin Guitar, circa 1857. It is a gem with a big and balanced sound. The back and  sides are Brazilian rosewood, the top is German spruce, the fingerboard and bridge are made of ebony, and the neck is cedar.

Since I began recording a great deal of 19th century American music I  have been accumulating old instruments as I find and can afford them.  My dear friend, Herb Trotman of Fretted Instruments in Homewood,  Alabama, found this guitar for me several years ago. Selwyn Spaulding  (Birmingham, AL) restored it and made it come back to life.

I have found that the “woody” sound of vintage instruments really makes old music sound and feel “period” and warm.