Shinjuku-Ku, Japan
About this listing
Welcome to TC Gakki! All photos are of the item for sale. Please note they are for sale in our store and may sell out. Thank you for looking! Feel free to ask any questions!Product Details________________________________Martin / 1938 000-45[Staff comment: Inoue]The pre-war era is widely regarded as the golden age of acoustic guitar history, and we've brought in a 1938 000-45 - the crown jewel of that era.Carefully selected tonewoods, master craftsmanship, and beautiful appointments come together across the decades in true harmony - a historic instrument in every sense.The inlay and purfling are adorned with lavish natural shell. The body purfling uses top-grade green abalone with striking blue-green hues - stock believed to have been used on premium models before the original factory closed in 1964, and unobtainable today. The fingerboard's snowflake and cat's-eye inlays, meanwhile, use what's believed to be so-called ‘Japan pearl’ (a large abalone species native to Japanese and Korean waters), giving off a calm, silvery sheen distinct from the body's shell - technically a form of abalone, but with an elegant, pearl-like white glow all its own.The tuners are original gold-plated Grover G-98G units. Being made of brass, they've developed patches of verdigris and slightly browned butterbean knobs over the decades, adding real vintage gravitas.The body and neck have received an over-lacquer at some point in their history, but there's no heavy, clumsy buildup - if anything, the finish has settled beautifully over the years, blending naturally into the wood grain while still preserving the dry, authentic vintage texture and feel.One clear visual difference from current-production models is the body: this era used a large pickguard sized to match a dreadnought, extending right up to the edge of the bridge and binding, giving it a distinctly larger presence than a modern pickguard - a special look unique to this period.It also plays wonderfully. Despite the rosewood body, it's remarkably light at just 1.80kg - that same buoyant, almost weightless feeling you get from holding a genuine pre-war Martin is fully present here. Internally it uses forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing; bracing position shifted rearward right around this 1938 model year, making this a genuinely rare pre-shift example.That light weight combined with the forward-shifted bracing produces a response unlike anything else - strum it and the air itself seems to surge forward with the sound. The top's vibration is remarkable too, with power clearly concentrated right around the bridge.Before playing it, you might expect the refined, deep low end typical of a pre-war rosewood body - and that expectation gets pleasantly overturned. What you actually get is a sound rich in overtones yet fierce and untamed.“So this is what a pre-war 000-45 sounds like...” - the overwhelming volume and the conviction behind every note are enough on their own to command the room, carrying both power and history in equal measure. We invite you to experience this ultimate instrument - more than a once-in-a-lifetime guitar, a genuine witness to history - for yourself.[Specs / Included Case]TOP: SpruceBACK/SIDES: RosewoodNECK: MahoganyFINGERBOARD: EbonyBRIDGE: Ebony (Replaced)NUT WIDTH: 44mmSCALE: 632mmCASE: Non-Original Hard Shell Case[Repair history / replaced parts / cosmetic condition]*As a used/vintage item, this reflects only what our inspection could determine. Thank you for your understanding.- Frets, nut, saddle, bridge, and one bridge pin replaced- Crack repairs (upper right of soundhole, upper right of top, under the bridge in 3 places, lower left of back)- Jig-mark holes on the bass-side body- Full over-lacquer on neck and body[Playing Condition]Action at the 12th fret: 2.7mm (low E), 2.2mm (high E)Saddle protrusion: approx. 2.0mm[6-Month Assurance Warranty][Return policy] Try it at home for 6 days after delivery - if it's not right for you, return it for a refund (return shipping at buyer's expense).______________________________Please note that all items are for sale in our Tokyo store.There is a chance they might be sold out. All items are shipped tracked and insured. All import duties or customs fees are the buyers responsibility - please be aware of the requirements for your country. If you have any questions please ask.
Price$296,021.67
+ $1,002.44 Shipping
