Ranking Vintage Martins?

[Hobie]

I have been looking for a site that ranks vintage Martin mandolins by year,or at least gives characteristics by year of manufacture, but have so far been unsuccessful. Anybody have any ideas?

[JeffD]

I have never seen such a site for any vintage brand of mandolins.

[almeriastrings]

What do you mean, "ranks" them?

As for changes in build over the years, the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum is probably your best source, though there is plenty to start with in Longworth's classic, now in 2 volumes. Volume 2 (http://www.amazon.com/Guitars-Technical-Reference-Revised-Updated/dp/1423439821/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y) is the one with the technical data.

[Hendrik Ahrend]

You may want to check out Frank Ford's site: http://home.provide.net/~cfh/martin.html

[your_diamond]

I found an interesting Martin model A that I might buy, but I noticed the serial numbers did not match the guitar serial numbers. I called Martin customer service, and found out Martin mandolins have their own serial number system. When I asked them where I can find the mandolin serial number list on-line the representative told me they kept that in house, so as not to confuse anybody. Frank Ford's site mentions it but there is no list.

Does anyone know of a site that has the Martin mandolin serial number list?

As far as Martin mandolin info... the most info I have ever seen in one place was by David Grisman in this (my new favorite web page) Great Vintage Mandolins Under $1,000 By Mandolin Cafe March 18, 2012 (everyone should read & bookmark this)...
http://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001443.shtml

[Capt. E]

Of the bent top A body Martin mandolins, the A model has a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This is by far the most common Martin mandolin. After that, there are the models B, C, D, E, F and G, each with rosewood back and sides and each with progressively fancier inlay than the one before. The model A is by far the most common. The earlier ones, made before the 1930's had a very pretty headstock. Here is one for a model C: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=martin+mandolin+headstock&qpvt=martin+mandolin+headstock&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=32FC9F03089A16A1666D6105DE56AC9AA8ED74D8&selectedIndex=5

Vintage Instrument Center has a list of serial numbers: http://www.vintageinstrumentcenter.com/martin-mandolin-serial-numbers-date-your-martin-mandolin/

[Jim Garber]

You may want to check out Frank Ford's site: http://home.provide.net/~cfh/martin.html

AFAIK that is not Frank Ford's site at all. It is owned by a guy who calls himself "Vintage Guitar Guy".


Does anyone know of a site that has the Martin mandolin serial number list?

Go right to the source, strangely enough CF Martin & Co have a Serial Number List (http://www.martinguitar.com/about-martin/the-martin-story/serial-numbers.html)(scroll down for mandolin).

[allenhopkins]

Mike Longworth's Martin Guitars: A History, first out in the '70's and revised several times since, has complete (to date of publication) production figures, price lists, and serial numbers for Martin mandolins as well. It's illustrated with catalog pics and other photos of the different models.

There are versions of this book available on line, new and used, starting below $10. It's been revised and expanded and co-authors have been added, so I can't speak for the contents of any of the books offered, but the old copy I have has been incredibly useful and authoritative.

[brunello97]

I've had a few Martins As and a B over the years (and played a few more) and would agree with Cap'n E viz the desirability of the rosewood back Martins.

My experience has been that that is a very delightful combination: spruce top / rw back. A bit brighter, a bit crisper tone with more resonance than with mahogany backs.

Don't get me wrong, I think the basic Martin As are very nice mandolins, just the same. I couldn't offer an opinion on the relative quality viz year-made. I don't think I've played any newer than the early '60s. If a '20s era B were available my guess would be that would be a preferable option. At least to me.....

Mick

[allenhopkins]

.. I couldn't offer an opinion on the relative quality viz year-made. I don't think I've played any newer than the early '60s. If a '20s era B were available my guess would be that would be a preferable option. At least to me...

I have a 1920 Style A, Ser.#8580. It's a very nice, sweet mandolin, but except for the somewhat distinctive faux tortoise pickguard, I don't notice a lot of difference from the A's of 40 years later. Per Longworth's book, the last 36 Style B's were made in 1946; the carved-top 2-15's were made up to 1964. After that, only Style A's.

[Hendrik Ahrend]

[QUOTE=Jim Garber;1316748]AFAIK that is not Frank Ford's site at all. It is owned by a guy who calls himself "Vintage Guitar Guy".

Thanks, Jim, of course you are right. Sorry for the confusion.

[Givson]

George Gruhn's guide to vintage guitars specifies changes to various models by year. It also list the year the model was introduced. It is a pretty handy guide.

There were very few changes made to Martin model A mandolins over the years.

If the original poster is interested in ratings of Martin mandolins based on the year made, that is another issue.

[Hobie]

If the original poster is interested in ratings of Martin mandolins based on the year made, that is another issue.

Yes, that was what i was thinking about. I know that guitars are quite variable from model to model and from year to year in terms of sound, tone, and overall desirability, and that there are guides out there that rank them accordingly. I was hoping to find something similar in the Martin Mandolins.

Thank you all for your thoughtful and informative posts. I appreciate them!

[mandroid]

:popcorn:Provenance, linking a particular one to someone famous seems to not be a factor,
like BG Gibson F5 mandolins ..

Martin's Guitars get that Bump.