1964 Martin F-50 Vintage Hollowbody Electric Guitar Shaded Top w/ DeArmond Dynasonic, Case

Up for sale, a 1964 Martin F-50 in excellent condition and in perfect working order. This rare, unique Martin was part of the F-Series of electric guitars, produced in limited quantities from 1962-65. Martin’s first attempt to enter the ever-expanding electric guitar market (and 1 of 177 F-50s produced in the '64 model year), the F-50 features a semi-hollow maple body with a treble-side cutaway and a neck position DeArmond Dynasonic pickup.

The mahogany neck and Brazilian rosewood fretboard round out the tonewood complement, and this guitar has a detailed acoustic response with a distinct midrange smoothness accentuated by a set of flatwound 11-49 strings. The DeArmond Dynasonic pickup has plenty of woody, percussive cut, with bell-like trebles, good definition in the upper-midrange, and a fundamental sweetness. With a body depth of 2” and featherweight at 5lbs 6oz, this F-50 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with low action and accurate intonation.

The mahogany neck has a slender C-shaped profile carve with modest shoulders and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .810” deep at the 1st fret and .900” at the 9th. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard is dark, tight-grained cut with a 12” radius, refretted with slender, vintage-spec fretwire and exhibiting light finger wear into the rosewood from frets 1-5. This guitar plays cleanly up the 24 3/4“ scale with a straight neck, and the nut measures 1 11/16” in width. The headstock has a lightly figured maple veneer, and the original Kluson Deluxe single-line tuning machines turn smoothly and hold accurate pitch.

All of the electronics function as intended, with the DeArmond pickup governed by Master Volume and Tone controls, topped by a replacement pair of witch hat knobs. The original raised pickguard rounds out the plastics. The replacement rosewood bridge is a vintage component with a carved and compensated saddle. The neck meets the body at an ideal angle, and both bridge thumbwheels have room for future adjustment. The factory stamps and serial number are visible through the bass-side F-hole.

Some separation of the top and back from the maple rims has been professionally addressed along the lower bout, and the binding is all original and in great shape. The gloss Shaded Top (sunburst) nitro lacquer finish exhibits a couple areas of minor finish loss where the forearm crosses the top and on the back at the bass side waist. There are a handful of minor nicks and finish scratches on the body as a whole, as well as an area of buckle rash central to the back. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, with a number of shallow marks along the profile length that aren't distracting to the palm while fretting.

A modern black tolex hardshell case with red plush interior is included.