1975 martin 00-21- sitka spruce & east indian rosewood

C.F. Martin & Co. introduced the 00-21 in 1898 and it has remained one of the most consistently distinguished models in the catalogue ever since — a guitar that stubbornly resisted the industry-wide push toward 14-fret necks and solid headstocks that swept most of Martin's line in the 1930s. The 00-21 kept its 12-fret geometry, its slotted headstock, and its wide nut through virtually its entire production run, because the players who loved it understood that these weren't anachronisms — they were acoustic advantages. The 12-fret neck join places the bridge closer to the acoustic center of the top, favouring warmth, bloom, and sustain. The shorter 24.9" scale eases tension and softens the feel under the fingers. The wider nut gives the fretting hand room to breathe. Together, these features make the 00-21 one of the finest fingerstyle guitars Martin has ever produced — a guitar that sits perfectly in the hands of players who value tone and feel over upper-fret access.

By 1975, Brazilian rosewood had given way to East Indian rosewood across Martin's line — a transition that began in 1969 following Brazilian export restrictions. While Brazilian remains the benchmark, the finest East Indian rosewood of this era is beautiful in its own right: dense, resonant, and richly figured, with the straight grain and dark coloration that characterise the best examples. Serial #358280 is exactly that — the back and sides on this instrument are particularly attractive, with dark, straight grain and an elegant center back strip.

At 50 years old, this guitar has fully settled and opened up. The voice is everything the 00-21 is celebrated for: warm and articulate in the low end, bell-like clarity on the trebles, and exceptional string-to-string balance and separation throughout. A mature, seasoned fingerstyle instrument that responds beautifully to a light touch and rewards the player who listens closely. Style 21 appointments — understated but correct — include five-ply top binding, rosewood fingerboard and belly bridge with pearl dot inlays, rosewood headstock overlay, three-on-a-plate open-gear chrome tuners, and a black pickguard.

Condition: Very good to excellent. Completely crack-free — a meaningful distinction for a 50-year-old spruce-top guitar. The original finish shows attractive light checking and minor marks consistent with careful use over five decades. Back and sides present very nicely. Structurally sound, comfortable action, plays beautifully.

Includes a non-original hardshell case.