1924 Martin T-18 Tiple

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.

This tiple has survived a lot to make it to these days looking so good, though. At some point a bigger hole in the side was patched near the endpin area 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).

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 foolishly-fast and easy.

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.