1957 Martin D-21 guitar 155923
An extraordinary sounding, rare Martin model built in the days when old growth quarter sawn Brazilian Rosewood was standard specificztions. This guitar has the number “155923” stamped on the inside of the neck block, along with “D21,” which, according to Martin records, identifies it as “stamped on June 13, 1957 and cleared final inspection on October 4 that year… this guitar has a "West (Sitka) spruce top".
Features and appointments on Martin D-21 # 155923 are original and consistent with factory specifications for this model and year and include rear-shifted X bracing; tight-grain Sitka spruce top; Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, bridge and fingerboard; Brazilian Rosewood peg head overlay with “C.F. Martin & Co. Est. 1833” peg head decal; 14 frets clear the body; small dot inlay; black acetate bindings; closed back Kluson tuners; original green-lined hardshell case.
Martin D-21 # 154386 is in excellent playing condition with action set to factory specifications. When we last sold this guitar some years back, it was in extremely fine original condition, and sold for a premium. Unfortunately, the recent owner had a heartbreaking episode where the guitar dropped and the impact on the end pin caused a hairline crack in the rim and a “crinkle” in the top; both were over the end block and are now structurally sound and barely perceptible. A meticulous repair by luthier Robert Sherman of Napa, California, has put it back in excellent playing shape. (See photos; additional detailed photos of the repair, inside and out, are available upon request) Because of the flaw in condition, the guitar is priced accordingly and is an opportunity for a serious player who wants lot of sound and playability for the money.
Since 1833, The C. F. Martin Company of Nazareth, Pennsylvania has maintained a reputation as the premiere standard for excellence in sound, quality of materials and precision of design during that time. D-21 is a rare model, only in production from 1956 to 1969 (6 prototypes were constructed at end of 1955). This is one of a total of 325 D-21 guitars were made in 1957. In our opinion, the difference in sound between the D-21 and the D-28 of 1957, is caused by the rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Consequently, this model has been described as a blend of the best qualities of the D-18 and D-28 into one guitar. In other words, it is a rare combination of flat picking and rhythm perfection in one guitar. Our price for this guitar in excellent playing condition with professional crack repair is $8500, which includes shipping east of Mississippi and shared cost to other destinations.