Up for sale, a 1946 Martin 0-21 in excellent condition, complete with a hardshell case. Produced just one year before the model was discontinued in ‘47, this post-War 0-21 boasts a transitional feature set including a herringbone backstrip, simple rosette, dot fingerboard inlays, and tortoise binding. This particular 0-21 benefits from work due an instrument of its vintage including a professional neck reset and full refret.

This 0-21 features an X-braced (straight) Adirondack spruce top, among the last instruments to retain this hallowed tonewood, as Martin was transitioning to Sitka during ‘46. Generally only smaller tops received Adirondack in 1946 as Martin’s supply on-hand was dwindling. Brazilian rosewood back/sides, a mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard round out the tonewoods. Crisp, sonorous, and highly responsive to picking dynamics, this 0-21 offers healthy projection, certainly more than one would expect from a 0-sized guitar, with a focused-yet-open quality to the low end response that makes for an ideal complement to the sparkling, plucky trebles. A true fingerpicker’s delight, this 0-21 also offers unparalleled overall string-to-string balance and an evenness to the sound when playing up the fingerboard. Weighing 3lbs 9oz, this 0-21 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings and comfortable action.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Honduran mahogany
• Shape: Deep V, measuring .945” 1st fret, 1.075” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, dot inlays
• Frets: Slender, refret, no wear
• Scale Length: 24.9”
• Nut: 1 7/8“
• Tuners: Vintage-spec open-gear (antiqued brass, replacement)
• Serialization: Stamp on neck block dates to ‘46

Body Specs:

• Wood: Adirondack spruce, Brazilian rosewood
• Bracing: X, straight (non-scalloped)
• Bridge: Ebony belly, maple plate (original)
• Plastics: Tortoise pickguard
• Marquetry: Simple rosette, multi-ply purfling, tortoise binding

The original gloss lacquer finish is present, and there are a few short, professionally repaired splits on top, both at the bass-side lower bout and at the treble-side waist (this treble-side repair can be felt as the spruce is slightly indented). The guitar exhibits one additional repair on the rosewood rim at the bass-side waist, and cosmetic wear includes pick scuffing across the soundhole and various dings and scuffs from 80 years of careful use. The neck profile is smooth and clean, free of palm wear, with a few shallow marks worn smooth through play.

A modern black tolex hardshell case is included.