1924 Martin T-18 Tiple

Overview: 1920s Martin tiples are a little different than their later versions. The tops on these are fan-braced instead of x-braced and that gives them an "open" sort-of tone compared to the x-braced versions which are perhaps a little sweeter and less forward. This definitely sounds sweet, though. Martin tiples overall tend to have a sculpted, refined sound that you will not find in Regal, Harmony, or Oscar Schmidt builds from the same time.

Interesting features: Woods are -- solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, and ebony fretboard and bridge. Check out the nice rosewood binding, too. It has teeny little bar frets in the fretboard as well.

Repairs included: Work included a neck reset, fret level/dress and fret seating, some cleaning, and of course a good setup and fresh, compensated bone saddle. It's now playing fast and easy.

• Weight: 1 lb 13 oz
• Scale length: 17"
• Nut width: 1 1/2"
• Neck shape: medium soft V
• Board radius: flat
• Body width: 8 3/4"
• Body depth: 3 5/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: fan
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 10/24w, 17/36w/17, 14/28w/14, 9/9 or close to it
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: lower/smaller bar stock

Condition notes: This tiple has survived a lot to make it to these days looking so good. At some point a couple bigger holes in the side were patched near the endpin area (see photos of replaced mahogany side material) and while it's otherwise crack-free throughout, the whole instrument has a shot of topcoat overspray to, presumably, tidy-up its original finish (which is under the topcoat). At a glance it looks like the finish is completely stock. Also, because I put in a new, compensated bone saddle, I had to widen the saddle slot a bit to fit it.

It comes with: It's got a nice, newer hard case.

Consignor tag: NLJH