*This instrument was on display at the 2026 Winter NAMM show. It has been hand-inspected with any significant playwear listed below in detail. The instrument includes its full factory warranty and original case. We'll complete a full professional setup before shipping.*

~Guitar pictured is the actual guitar that you will receive~

Hawaiian musician Major Kealakai, and his custom Martin guitar, helped shape the course of music history. Kealakai was a guitarist and conductor of the Royal Hawaiian Band, and in 1916, Martin made him a unique custom guitar that was wider, deeper, and longer than a 000 to provide more volume and help fill concert halls. That one-off guitar was the precursor to the iconic Dreadnought. Now, Martin is honoring that historic milestone with a new take on his custom 12-fret guitar with a refreshed bridge design to better complement the traditional specifications, as if the company continued to produce it well past 1916. The Custom K-1 Major Kealakai features vintage gloss sinker mahagony back and sides, an Adirondack spruce VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® (VTS) top, hide glue construction, authentic 1931 X bracing, and a modern, embellished ebony pyramid belly bridge. It blends tradition and innovation, paying tribute to the rich heritage of Martin.

Note: After close inspection, this instrument has impressions on the top lower bout and binding. (See pics, light reflections used to show wear)

Specifications:

• Serial #: 2936837
• Body Size: K-12 Fret
• Finish Top: Vintage Gloss
• Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint - Hide Glue Construction
• Back and Side Finish: Vintage Gloss
• Bracing Pattern: Authentic 1931 X Brace
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Brace Shape: Scalloped
• Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 7/8''
• Top Material: Adirondack Spruce with VTS
• Neck Shape: Authentic 1931
• Back Material: Sinker Mahogany
• Neck Taper: Standard Taper
• Side Material: Sinker Mahogany
• Electronics: No
• Top Color: Clear
• Bridge Style: Modern Stauffer Pyamid - Drop in Saddle
• Binding: Madagascar Rosewood
• Bridge String Spacing: 2 5/16"
• Top Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
• Bridge Material: Ebony
• Top Detail: None
• Bridge Pin Material: Ebony
• Pickguard: None
• Bridge Pin Dots: Abalone
• Pickguard Inlay: None
• Saddle: Compensated Bone
• Rosette: Multi-Stripe
• Saddle Radius: 16"
• Brace Material: Adirondack Spruce with VTS
• Back and Sides Color: Light Mahogany
• Brace Size: 5/16"
• Back Detail: None
• Back Purfling/Strip: None
• Back Inlay Material: None
• Heelcap: None
• Side Detail: None
• Endpiece: Madagascar Rosewood
• Side Inlay Material: None
• Endpiece Inlay: None
• Neck Material: Genuine Mahogany
• Fingerboard Material: Ebony
• Finish Neck: Vintage Gloss
• Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 5/16"
• Neck Color: Light Mahogany
• Fingerboard Inlay Style: 18 Old Style Authentic 1931
• Number of Frets Total: 19
• Fingerboard Inlay Material: Abalone
• Neck Joins Body At: 12th Fret
• Fingerboard Binding Material: None
• Side Dots: Antique White
• Headstock Shape: Slotted with Round Slots, 1931 Taper and Diamond
• Tuning Machines: Golden Age Relic Nickel Side Mount
• Headplate Material: Madagascar Rosewood
• Knob: Cream
• Headplate Logo Style: Stamped on Back of
• Nut Material: Bone
• Headplate Binding Material: None
• Case: Hardshell
• Left Handed Availability: true
• Label: Paper Label w/Model Name, Numbered in Sequence w/No Total

We are proud to include a full professional setup to factory spec before delivering your new Martin Guitar. Our world-class techs will dial in your guitar to make sure the playability is maximized on your new Martin!

Empire Music is one of Martin's Worldwide Custom Shop Expert Dealers.