1927 Martin

[Brookside]

My brother saw a (per owner) 1927 Martin mandolin at a garage sale last weekend. The guy wanted $350 for it. I'm pretty sure it did not sell. I haven't bothered to go look at it yet but the owner said for me to come on over and make an offer if I want it. Anyone familiar with these? Are they any good? What is their ballpark value. Thanks for any input.

[gibby24]

They may not be the best mandolins but they were well made and if it is in decent shape and doesn't require alot of repairs should be a bargain.

[Dolamon]

That's a good price for a Martin A, a great price for a B and a spectacular price for a C or D. These are very nice mandolins for old time, classical, folk or just plain playing. And they are a Martin.

[Eugene]

Martin made over two dozen mandolin models over their history. Like Dion says, $350 would be a good price for any of those models in good, playable condition and an obscene bargain for most of them. The flat mandolins and bowlbacks don't really produce the kind of sound expected of bluegrass, but they are often prized by players of other genres. Do you know what model the mandolin in question is, Brookside?

[Brookside]

No I don't know. My brother said "it's an A style." To him that simply means there was not a scroll on it. I'm going to go over there this weekend and have a look. I can't really pass up a good buy on a mandolin, now can I? Sounds like he will take less than $350.

[Eugene]

If the date is right, this should be one of Martin's flat models. There will be a cant (i.e. a crease) behind the bridge. Scrutinize this; if the cant has fallen, it will need repair. Also check the action above the neck-body joint. This should be around 2 mm or so. Around 4 mm or so, I would definitely consider it in need of repair. If you pusue this, I would only keep very light strings on it and try to play it with a pointier pick than a "Dawg." GHS's "Classical" string set would work. I prefer Dogal's "Calace" RW-92b.

[Bob DeVellis]

I've found that the Martin flatbacks, when in good, solid shape, can handle strings a bit heavier than extra-lights. I use Martin Lights (which actually even have a Martin flatback pictured on the cover) at the recommendation of a Martin repairman from whom I bought a 1919 flatback. Now, if there is any structural problem, the extra-lights would put less strain on the mando. And you just might prefer the feel or sound of extra lights, but the Martin Lights are another alternative.

If the headstock has a cutout in it shaped sort of like a chubby tulip, it's a B or higher (and will have rosewood back and sides). If it's a solid, rectangular headstock, it's an A (and will have mahogany back and sides). These are really nice instruments and $350 or less is a great price -- less than half of what a good A typically sells for. B's are usually over $1000, C's, up around $1500 (depending on year), I should think; E's are around $4000 at a minimum; and D's are pretty much not to be found.

[Charles Johnson]

A Martin Style C runs about $2000, Style E (only 63 made) is around $6000, and as there were only 7 Style D made there is no good market price established for them....

Charles Johnson