Re: 1923 Martin?
Originally Posted by
Canoe Captain
... and if you think this one looks worth it ...
Peronally, yes. As noted, not a steal at US $892, but one north Jersey dealer often has a decent one or two in the $900 range. Got my '54 on eBay 8-10 years ago for under $500, but the eBay photo looked pretty bad - it's much nicer in real life!
You should be aware that Martins sound nice but are relatively delicate, or quiet, and/or "polite"; not-at-all bluegrass machines looking to do battle with banjoes & fiddles! That's largely because of their 13" scale (plus non-carved, non-f-hole top) as opposed to the 13 7/8" that's sort of the standard. So they're nice, sound good, fun to play, easier on the fingers than most, but have their limitations. Plus, having a decent case for one, meaning o/t chipboard, is extremely rare.
FWIW, I'm told that a long-past conductor of my mandolin orchestra (Bloomfield, NJ) required that all mandolins be Martins!
My prediction: You'll like it, buy it, enjoy it, possibly keep it for life, but it won't be your last mandolin. Welcome to MAS!
Last edited by EdHanrahan; May-06-2019 at 1:31pm.
- Ed
"Then one day we weren't as young as before
Our mistakes weren't quite so easy to undo
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I'm a better man for just the knowin' of you."
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