303-665-7733
Martin Guitars
Serial Number: #83522
Wildwoodians, working here is pretty awesome, and instruments like this astounding 1943 Martin 000-21 are a constant reminder of that fact. One of 96 000-21s made in 1943, this serial is part of a flock of rare birds, and it sounds revelatory. The rich resonance of real Brazilian rosewood gives it uncommon depth and fullness, and the Adirondack spruce top gives it outstanding articulation, headroom, and projecting power. When you factor in the s... Read More...
Martin Guitars
Nitrocellulose Lacquer
.870 1st - .960 9th
Natural
Wildwoodians, working here is pretty awesome, and instruments like this astounding 1943 Martin 000-21 are a constant reminder of that fact. One of 96 000-21s made in 1943, this serial is part of a flock of rare birds, and it sounds revelatory. The rich resonance of real Brazilian rosewood gives it uncommon depth and fullness, and the Adirondack spruce top gives it outstanding articulation, headroom, and projecting power. When you factor in the seasoning that comes from eight decades of play to those spectacular tonewoods, the end result is a guitar that does the Vintage Martin Thing (supreme woodiness) but also has outstanding richness and complexity. Anyone hunting for a vintage Martin would do well to check this serial out, as we believe its impressive sonic qualities will inspire you to no end.
Any guitar that has been on this ball of dirt and water as long as this Martin will accumulate some repairs and battle scars, but this serial is in fantastic cosmetic shape for its vintage. It has some bumps and scrapes, but there's nothing particularly egregious. The frets also show light wear and measure .080" by .035" and have tons of life in them.
It has had some work done over the years, which is to be expected of a Martin of this vintage, but all of it has been documented in detail in a dossier accompanying the guitar. There are a few repaired cracks with old-school diamond cleats, the most noticeable of which are on the top by the treble-side lower bout and by the pickguard near the high E string.
It also has some non-original parts, as the bridge, the bridge plate, frets, nut, and saddle have all been replaced (the original bridge, some of the older nuts, some non-original Waverly tuners, and a non-original bridge plate are in the case). The original ebony fretboard was replaced by the experts at Woodsongs Lutherie, who were able to preserve the original snowflake inlays in the new fretboard. The new nut and saddle are made of ivory, though, which is a neat touch!
We're not sure if the bridge pins are original, but they are clearly old, and they have been in this guitar for a long time. Finally, a previous owner installed a strap button on the heel.
Thanks to the aforementioned dossier, we also have a rough timeline for most of the important repairs. In 1969, it went back to Martin for unspecified repairs. The year 1994 saw a host of repairs, including the bridge replacement, fretboard replacement, neck reset, top crack repairs, and new nut and saddle installation. In 1999, it received its new maple bridge plate and new tuners. Finally, in 2021, it received new tuners again (Waverly #1129s this time) and another new ivory nut.
It comes with a non-original modern molded plastic Martin hardshell case as well as extensive documentation of all repairs.
Martin Guitars
Vintage 1943 Limited 000-21
One of 96 made in 1943
Natural
Nitrocellulose Lacquer
000-14 Fret
Adirondack Spruce
Adirondack Spruce, Scalloped X-Brace
Herringbone on Back, Multi-ply on Top
Brazilian Rosewood
.870 1st - .960 9th
Mahogany with Strap Button installed on Heel
Rounded V
Gloss
Ebony
16”
Abalone Slotted Square
20
24.9"
Ivory
1.696”
2.177"
None
Bone, Compensated
Herringbone
Nickel/Brass
Waverly
Ebony
Faux Tortoise
Includes dossier detailing chain of ownership, repair history, and correspondence with Martin, also includes photo and handwritten letter from original owner
Non-Original Martin Hardshell, Period Correct Martin Case Included
An instrument from Wildwood isn't just an ordinary guitar. It's your guitar. Each and every instrument we sell includes a full, point by point setup, an exhaustive evaluation, and expert shipping procedures, with first class, industry leading standards from start to finish. Why? Because you deserve it.
Wildwoodians, working here is pretty awesome, and instruments like this astounding 1943 Martin 000-21 are a constant reminder of that fact. One of 96 000-21s made in 1943, this serial is part of a flock of rare birds, and it sounds revelatory. The rich resonance of real Brazilian rosewood gives it uncommon depth and fullness, and the Adirondack spruce top gives it outstanding articulation, headroom, and projecting power. When you factor in the seasoning that comes from eight decades of play to those spectacular tonewoods, the end result is a guitar that does the Vintage Martin Thing (supreme woodiness) but also has outstanding richness and complexity. Anyone hunting for a vintage Martin would do well to check this serial out, as we believe its impressive sonic qualities will inspire you to no end.
Any guitar that has been on this ball of dirt and water as long as this Martin will accumulate some repairs and battle scars, but this serial is in fantastic cosmetic shape for its vintage. It has some bumps and scrapes, but there's nothing particularly egregious. The frets also show light wear and measure .080" by .035" and have tons of life in them.
It has had some work done over the years, which is to be expected of a Martin of this vintage, but all of it has been documented in detail in a dossier accompanying the guitar. There are a few repaired cracks with old-school diamond cleats, the most noticeable of which are on the top by the treble-side lower bout and by the pickguard near the high E string.
It also has some non-original parts, as the bridge, the bridge plate, frets, nut, and saddle have all been replaced (the original bridge, some of the older nuts, some non-original Waverly tuners, and a non-original bridge plate are in the case). The original ebony fretboard was replaced by the experts at Woodsongs Lutherie, who were able to preserve the original snowflake inlays in the new fretboard. The new nut and saddle are made of ivory, though, which is a neat touch!
We're not sure if the bridge pins are original, but they are clearly old, and they have been in this guitar for a long time. Finally, a previous owner installed a strap button on the heel.
Thanks to the aforementioned dossier, we also have a rough timeline for most of the important repairs. In 1969, it went back to Martin for unspecified repairs. The year 1994 saw a host of repairs, including the bridge replacement, fretboard replacement, neck reset, top crack repairs, and new nut and saddle installation. In 1999, it received its new maple bridge plate and new tuners. Finally, in 2021, it received new tuners again (Waverly #1129s this time) and another new ivory nut.
It comes with a non-original modern molded plastic Martin hardshell case as well as extensive documentation of all repairs.
83522
Martin Guitars
Vintage 1943 Limited 000-21
One of 96 made in 1943
Natural
Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Adirondack Spruce
Adirondack Spruce, Scalloped X-Brace
Herringbone on Back, Multi-ply on Top
Brazilian Rosewood
.870 1st - .960 9th
Mahogany with Strap Button installed on Heel
Rounded V
Gloss
Ebony
16”
Abalone Slotted Square
20
24.9"
Ivory
1.696”
2.177"
None
Bone, Compensated
Herringbone
Nickel/Brass
Waverly
Ebony
Faux Tortoise
Includes dossier detailing chain of ownership, repair history, and correspondence with Martin, also includes photo and handwritten letter from original owner
Non-Original Martin Hardshell, Period Correct Martin Case Included
