Tristani Style 5-18 Terz Parlor Guitar (2020), ser. #001, original black tolex hard shell case.

Tristani Style 5-18 Terz Model Parlor Guitar (2020), made in Fife, Washington, serial # 001, natural finish, Adirondack red spruce top, Madagascar rosewood back and sides; Spanish cedar neck with ebony fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.

This unusual Terz-sized flat top guitar is the work of luthier Ramon Tristani of Tristani Guitars, located up in the Pacific Northwest. He specializes in handcrafted historical replicas of Torres and Hauser concert guitars and custom design classicals as well as Martin-influenced parlor and steel string guitars.

This 2020 guitar is a lovely custom-ordered example of the latter; while it has a label in the case reading "Martin 5-18 Terz" it has numerous differences that particular vintage instrument save for the overall size and shape. The 5-18 was Martin's smallest guitar, originally intended to be tuned a third ("Terz" in German) higher than concert pitch. This little gem is built to the same dimensions using fancy woods and trim including very attractive figured Madagascar rosewood for the back and sides and a surprisingly wide-grained grained spruce top. This instrument is bound with holly and features herringbone trim on the top and soundhole in two different sizes. The bracing is a very delicate scalloped X pattern, the top is signed and dated internally by the maker. The bridge is an obscure 19th century martin pattern, made with Brazilian Rosewood.

The neck is a shallow "C" profile, topped with a bound ebony fingerboard with dot inlay. The heel is built with a stacked configuration and the bound headstock is laminated on with a traditional Martin-style "diamond" volute; it mounts to the body with a modern bolt-on heel. The solid headstock is faced in rosewood front and back and fitted with locking tuners.

This Size 5 instrument is a very unusual find in a modern build; "Terz" guitars are practically extinct and can only be had from a few makers as custom orders. While obviously not as deep sounding as a standard size guitar it offers a sparkling tone with more of a full-range response than many would expect from an instrument this size. It can be played in standard or "Terz" tuning simply by adjusting the string gauge. This is a really unique instrument, a one-of-a-kind small body guitar with a its own character.

Overall length is 33 in. (83.8 cm.), 11 1/8 in. (28.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 21 1/4 in. (540 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

This guitar shows few signs of use with very little actual play wear, just some light scuffing overall. There is one small dink to the top above the fingerboard extension. The back of the neck shows some added finish work, but nothing conspicuous. There are no structural repairs. This very unusual "5" size small-body guitar is an excellent player offering a sound that sparkles with a surprising depth and body. It lives in the original fitted HSC with handwritten notes from the maker. Overall Excellent Condition.