Marlin MC-515 Acoustic Guitar Early 70’s - MIJ

This is a fine guitar and plays very well. Best I can tell on the web is that the MIJ Marlin was made between ‘70 & ’75. Laminated Rosewood back & sides.

Top is laminated Spruce and with 50 years of aging, sounds really nice. Scale is interesting-25 & 5/8”. Nut width is 1 & 3/4”. Frets are in excellent shape with level, crown polish about a year ago. Action is medium at .128” Low-E & .097” High-e and does really play good. Be sure to check out the You-Tube video below and bluetooth to a good speaker for a good listen. I think a heavier pick (1mm-est) does better and while it holds up good with a medium-or-less attack, it’ll get muddy if you go at it too hard. But still a good pickin machine.

Structurally, this guitar is really sound. Braces are secure and you can tell this is good MIJ construction - not a shabby beater. The original bridgeplate though was mediocre and the top developed a slight bulge. Instead of pulling/replacing, it’s been fitted out with a JLD Bridge Doctor. This part has been around for like 3 decades now and is the best not too invasive fix for a belly at the bridge. The pearl dot is smooth and flush. Binding remains perfect and has really nice abalone too. No cracks but the top does have a couple of heavy dings (see pics). New bone saddle-natural/non bleached. I can’t tell what the original nut is but feels like bone too and it’s in great shape. Neck is a nice V shape and the joint is solid with no finish separation indicating any instability, so it’s tightly in place.

This guitar comes with a new Taylor hard shell case in dark brown with really nice interior of red crushed velvet. A really nice package if you’re looking for a solid MIJ 70’s piece to enjoy at a great price. Thanks!