This 1934 C-3 Archtop has a vibrant volume with resonant tone.  The guitar plays easily, with great response.  In addition to the guitar’s voice, the intonation is excellent. Having the same exterior dimensions as an OM, it is comfortable playing seated or standing. Also, with low action, playing using a flat-pick or finger-style the instrument plays easily with either.  For over eight years, it was my go-to acoustic guitar. It is also unique, being one of 111 made by Martin between 1931-1934. the gold-plated gears currently on the guitar, are replacement Grover “Sta-Tite” tuners. The original 1930’s Grovers are included in a box. The pick guard is a faithful reproduction of the original acetate pick-guard, which decomposing and warped, became a danger to the instrument. The top has some dings and scratches, a “healed” crack from the top upper “F” hole to the binding, and a deep gouge running vertically from the bottom bout binding to just past the floating bridge placement, as seen in the photos. The instrument is in very good condition and original, other than the tuners, pickguard, and having been re-fretted with the vintage-style (but leveled) bar frets.  

 As I understood from my buyer, I am the fourth owner.  In order to show heritage, I include a letter from Martin to my seller dated May 8, 1968, the original tuners, and the broken old pickguard. The C-3 in comes with the newer Martin case.  Please contact me for any questions, further description or pictures.

Relevant History:  Martin created the C-Series in 1931 beginning with the C-1, to answer the growing demand for carved and arch top guitars.  When it came to the C-3, Martin went all-out and used the highest quality materials: the top was carved from Sitka or Adirondak spruce, with a high gloss lacquer finish and multi-line celluloid bindings.  The “45” styled appointments included “snow-flake” mother-of-pearl inlays on an Ebony fingerboard, gold plated tuners and tailpiece, and the intricately inlayed tricolored wood backstripe that split the Brazilian rosewood back.  All of Martin’s care of craftmanship and materials made the C-3 part of the “flagship.” The bound headstock with the famous CF Martin vertical mother-of-pearl logo was originally designed for Martin's C-series in 1931. Being the most expensive guitar in the Martin catalogue in 1934, the C-3 was listed for $210.
Specs:

- Five-ply top body binding with outer Ivoroid layer

- 14/20-Fret Ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard with snowflake Inlays

- 2 white lines inlaid around the perimeter inside the binding

- Gold trapeze tailpiece

- Top - dark sunburst lacquer finish

- Ivoroid binding, neck, top and back

- Gold-plated Grover tuners and tailpiece

- Ebony fingerboard

- Ebony floating bridge

- Fingerboard extension same as the flat tops, though the neck angle is slightly greater.

- Top, back and sides. same as it’s flat top cousin the OM:

Dimensions: Total length, 39 ½”; Headstock to body, 20”; Body length, 19 3/8; Scale, 25 1/2 ”; Depth (front bouts) 3 11/32”; 4 1/8” Fingerboard at nut, 1 ¾” at 12th fret, 2 ¼”