1956 C. F. Martin D-21 Natural

SN 149312. Wow. Excellent sounding example of an early D-21 that is clean and original: and comes with the original case. Sitka top, straight grain Brazilian back and sides, 28-style back strip, rosewood fingerboard and bridge and tortoise style binding front and back. The model can be considered a D-18 with BRW back and sides, or a D-28 with a bit less flash and rosewood bridge and fretboard instead of ebony. Regardless, I’ve never seen or heard a better example than this one.

The D-21 has an interesting history. In 1931 a special order was built and shipped. It may be Martin’s first dreadnought, as it predated the D-1 and D-2. A batch of six was produced in 1955 and production began in earnest in 1956 when 275 were made. Production totals have always been small. The 275 represents about 1/3 the number of D-28s shipped that year and ¼ the D-18 totals. It seems the last shipments were in 1969, the year the Brazilian Rosewood was discontinued.

This one has clearly seen a lot of case time but for the past year has been played regularly by my luthier. He’s a big fan. The finish on the top has settled nicely into the grain. There’s playwear light playwear around the fretboard. The pickguard, as you can see has some finish worn off. The original bridge has been reglued but never off. The neck has never been reset and the original frets have plenty of height. There’s a little buckle rash on the back but overall much less wear than you’d expect on a 70-year old guitar. Even the bridge pins are original. The action is 6/64” on the bass and between 4-5/64” on the treble. For me, dead solid perfect. The original case has the green plush interior that resembles a 40’s D-45 case. Collector quality.

SPECS:

Top: Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides: Brazillian Rosewood
Bridge & Fretboard: Rosewood
Appointments: Dot position markers, 18-style binding and appointments
Nut width: 1-11/16”
String spacing: 2-3/16”
Body width: 15-5/8”
Depth: 4-7/8”
Scale length: 25.4”
Case: OHSC