Details
An extremely early Ditson-Martin guitar, a stand-alone order shipped to the C. H. Ditson store in NYC on May 12, 1916. Judging by Martin's archives, this was the first Style 3 Ditson that Martin constructed, and also the first in the "medium" or Concert size (the Standard was even smaller, while the largest was the Dreadnought). Lyon & Healy in Chicago had begun decades earlier as a Western outpost for Ditson, and Ditson was supplying Martin with "Chicago-style" bridges around this time, which explains why this guitar has an inlaid bridge much like those found on higher Washburn guitar models. The engraved fingerboard inlays, also unlike Martin's typical style, were probably also supplied by Ditson. Except for the repaired top seam separation, this rare guitar is remarkably original throughout. One exception is the rosewood headstock facing, which was replaced several years ago because an earlier owner had added Martin's Style 45 "torch" to the head. The soundhole rosette and body binding on this guitar is essentially the same as Martin's Style 3 ukulele, also introduced in 1916.
Specs
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Back sides
Mahogany
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Binding
white celluloid
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Bracing
Fan
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Bridge
Ebony
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Fingerboard
Ebony
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Finish
Original Shellac Varnish
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Frets to body
12
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Inlay
engraved pearl
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Neck material
Mahogany
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Nut width
1 3/4"
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Rosette
celluloid rings
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Scale length
24.75"
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Top material
Adirondack Spruce
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Total frets
19
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Tuners
original
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Year
1917
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Case type
Hardshell
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Serial number
20
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SKU
DIT33-20
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UPC
142292
