Product Description
The historically significant first 000, this is a short scale 12-fret 000, essentially a prototype in that the shape is slightly different than Martin's standard 12-fret 000, the scale length is different - apparently a number of the earliest 000s were short scale - the bracing pattern was wrong, causing the top to not survive. The original top is included, with a new (actually about 15 years ago), cosmetically accurate top by TJ Thompson installed.
The guitar was ordered by New Jersey player/teacher Henry Spahr, who followed with another 10 or 12 orders for 000s, thus making him our patron saint of this largest of Martins at the time. In 1903 he ordered the second six-string 000, which had a solid head and friction tuners. Our guitar was found in New Jersey about thirty years ago by a friend of mine, Larry Mandon. Attempts were made to save the top by Dana Bourgeois, and eventually it was replaced by TJ Thompson. The original top is dated Jan. 28, 1901, with the serial #, 9156, and the stamped letters, H.L.K., probably the Martin employee responsible for building this custom instrument.
