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Thread: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

  1. #1
    Front Porch & Sweet Tea NursingDaBlues's Avatar
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    Default 1925 Martin AK Mandolin


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  3. #2

    Default Re: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

    Nice

  4. #3

    Default Re: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

    very nice, maple back and sides, i bet that is bright and punchy

  5. #4
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    Default Re: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by ollaimh View Post
    very nice, maple back and sides, i bet that is bright and punchy
    That is Koa top, back and sides. No maple at all.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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  7. #5
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

    Wasn't the AK all koa wood?
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  9. #6
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    Default Re: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

    Is that a crack I see roughly beneath the E strings?

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  11. #7

    Default Re: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

    wow beautiful koa. it is flamed like maple. so it should be very bright.

  12. #8

    Default Re: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

    Top is spruce, back & sides are koa.
    Roger

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  13. #9
    Registered User Steve 2E's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by 20MartinA View Post
    Top is spruce, back & sides are koa.
    The AK has top, back and sides of Koa.
    Last edited by Steve 2E; Nov-11-2019 at 8:17am. Reason: Removed copyrighted image

  14. #10
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    Default Re: 1925 Martin AK Mandolin

    Martin made koa instruments from the late 1910's until 1940. The first koa mandolin was built in 1918. AK mandolins were made in standard production from 1921 until 1937. A few BK mandolins were made in 1921 and 1925.

    All of Martin's pre-war koa instruments had koa tops. It is possible that a special order instrument with a spruce top could come to light, but I have not heard of such an instrument.

    Spruce tops became available on koa Martins when they re-introduced koa guitars in 1980. A handful of koa mandolins were built in the 1980's. They were listed with koa tops. One is currently for sale at a well known music store.

    The above information comes from the Martin history books by Longworth, Johnston, and Boak.

    For those who know a little bit about wood, it is clear that the craigslist mandolin has an all koa body, including the top. It is unusual to see one with such prominent figuring in the wood. It is a very attractive instrument.

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