??1926?? Martin A Mandolin

[TreyL3]

Hey guys, I’m new here. I had a guy come into my shop today and offer to trade me this for a like new Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV I have. I’m trying to figure out about what it’s worth. If the decoder is correct I think it’s a 1926 model. Looks to be in good shape minus the pickguard and minor wear. From what I can see I’m seeing them from $500-$2000 but I’m not sure what I’m looking at, or looking for. So any ideas on value? Any info is appreciated!

Number in the body: A-24742

[Bill McCall]

Between 1965-1968, per Mugwumps Martin Mando serial numbers.

[rcc56]

If it was a guitar, it would indeed have been made in 1926.

But:

Martin mandolins had their own serial number series until 1991.
Per the Martin history books [Longworth; Longworth/Boak] and Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars, 24742 indicates that your mandolin was built in 1968.

The "A" before the serial number indicates it is a style A. That indicates a flat back mandolin in spruce and mahogany, Martin's most common model.

Gryphon Strings just posted a 1972 Martin A [with pickguard intact] for $900.
Lark Street Music is currently listing a 1974 model for $895.
I sometimes see them listed higher, but the above shops have been in business for decades and know how to sell instruments.

"Sold" listings on Reverb vary from $650 - $1000 asking price.

Put a new guard on yours, and it might bring about $800 +/-.

A really nice pre-WWII A might bring a bit more on a really good day, but not a lot more. The only Martin mandolins that will bring $2000 or more are the fancy and long out-of-production styles C and E, and the carved style 20.

[MikeEdgerton]

Scroll through these listings looking at the green numbers. That indicates they sold. If there are any with a line through the green number it sold for less. One 1927 with the original case sold for $560.00 in great shape. I think that was a little low. They basically made this mandolin for decades. If you want to check Martin mandolin serial numbers ignore whatever you're using and go to the Mugwumps.com site and go to the lower serial numbers located here. Remember, scroll down to the Mandolin serial numbers. I would get that guard off there. I was actually able to buy a stack of guards from Martin several years ago when I visited the factory. I have no idea if they still have them, it was a long time ago.

[BradKlein]

Putting aside the OP's $$ question for a moment, there are a few interesting things about this instrument. One is just that CFM was still selling ANY of these, NEW, in the 1960s and 1970s. Of course internet sales made it harder to find one, but the many vintage Martin flat tops were available, and pretty darn cheap. Also, note how off-quarter sawn that top is. And this vintage marked a pickguard material low point for the great Martin company.

One thing in its favor. I suspect that Martin kept more closely to their original design and quality level from beginning to end of their bent-top run than Gibson did. So it's probably a decent instrument.

[MikeEdgerton]

I've had them from 1921 into the 70's. The only difference seemed to be the inlaid pickguard that they abandoned in the late 20's and the later ones seemed a little heavier. All had a sweet little sound to them. They were well made. The biggest problem with them has always been getting a case that actually fit the mandolin.

[20MartinA]

Here are the last serial numbers from 1967 and 1968. Yours falls after 1967, but before the end of 1968.


1960s examples go for substantially less than $2,000 - depending on condition, somewhere between $750 and $1,500.

I have one from 1920 which I love for its chime-like sound - different from Gibsons of the period. Very suitable for oldtime music or Celtic.

[BradKlein]

depending on condition, somewhere between $750 and $1,500.

Agree with Roger's admiration for these instruments, and Mike's observations. Lovely short-scale bent tops, and they can be some of the best deals out there if they fit your style.

But I'd say that the instrument in the original post could sell for $400 or even less on eBay. And for $750 on a good day you might pick up a pre-war Martin Style A, maybe even with bar frets and a shaded top.

[pheffernan]

Gryphon Strings just posted a 1972 Martin A [with pickguard intact] for $900.

The strange thing is that mandolin is listed by Greg Boyd’s in the classifieds but the Additional Information link takes you to Gryphon.

[rcc56]

. . . that's not my department . . .

[TreyL3]

I finally bought this mandolin. Does anyone know where I can find a pickguard for it?

[CES]

I haven’t taken the time to formally look, but I believe Steve Mac has sheets of material that would work. I have a 1974 Martin like yours with the guard intact. It’s a very well made mandolin, though tonally totally different that arch tops or even Flatiron 1Ns. My daughter chose it out of the litter when she moved out for law school. It’s well set up she liked the decreased tension with the shorter scale. The volume was also better for close quartered living.

[MikeEdgerton]

I bought several many years ago at Martin. You might check with them (it was in their old Lutherie parts department) in the original building. The young lady pulled out a stack of a dozen or so back then.