1934 Martin C-1 Carved-Top Archtop Guitar

Tone: It's punchy, mids-focused, and aggressive. It's not as mwah as a Gibson carved-top but it has a Gibson-like shorter scale length. It sounds more like an Epiphone carved-top -- sound that goes straight out to the audience in a nice chop with a little "spring" behind it.


Feel: It handles like any classic Martin -- it has a soft-V, medium-heft neck shape. During the last refret, I think the radius was changed from the usual 14-16" of a Martin to a more-modern 12" radius.


Interesting features: The adjustable bridge has all-ebony construction. Its adjuster posts are actually cut from ebony and it has two "alignment rods" that keep the bridge steady. 


Repairs included: It's previously had a high-quality refret done and a nice, repro pickguard made. I reglued a number of loose back braces and gave it a quick setup. At some point in the distant past, it looks like someone touched-up the finish here and there.

  • Maker: Martin
  • Model: C-1
  • Body style: 000-size archtop
  • Weight: 4 lbs 7 oz
  • Scale length: 24 7/8"
  • Nut width: 1 3/4"
  • Neck shape: medium-full C/soft V
  • Board radius: 12"
  • Body width: 15"
  • Body depth: 4 1/4"
  • Top wood: solid carved spruce
  • Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
  • Bracing type: tonebar
  • Bridge: ebony
  • Fretboard: ebony
  • Neck wood: mahogany
  • Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
  • String gauges: 54w-12 lights
  • Truss rod: non-adjustable
  • Neck relief: straight
  • Fret style: medium modern

Condition notes: It's in good shape and all-original save for the pickguard and frets. Someone touched-up the finish here and there with spots of topcoat but it doesn't look like it at a glance. There are also spots of finish where it has been rubbed/dulled and/or worn thin (the waits are a lighter color on the sides because of this in a couple spots). There are the usual small scratches, nicks, dings, and weather-checking throughout as well. Overall, though, it looks nice.


It comes with: It's presumably the original case.


Consignor tag: AR

























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