1919 Ditson/Martin 1-42 Acoustic Guitar – Used

Today when you mention a “Martin Ditson guitar” it is usually assumed you are talking about the original Dreadnought size and shape, as these were the models that changed the history of both the Martin Guitar Co. and the steel-stringed acoustic guitar in general. But in the 1916-1923 period Martin made three sizes of guitars for Ditson with the same unique wide-waisted shape as the original Dreadnought.

Ditson advertised them as “Hawaiian Professional Guitars, American Made” but with no mention of C. F. Martin, and there were no Martin stamps or markings on the guitars themselves. Note that this example has the Oliver Ditson stamp on the back of the headstock and a similar ink stamp on the inside center back strip. During the early years of Martin’s partnership with Ditson, the shape shown here was used for three sizes of guitar as well as three ukuleles, and all were offered with different levels of decoration. The Ditson models were almost like a separate line of instruments hidden within C. F. Martin. To make it even more confusing, during this same period Ditson purchased regular Martin guitar models, some with both Martin and Ditson stamps!

This guitar, with serial number 473 on the neck block, was one of the first batch of four 1-42 models shipped to the C.H. Ditson store in New York City 7/26/1919 (8 more were shipped later that month, but no others followed). Like the other early Ditsons, it differs from Martin’s higher guitar models of the period both in terms of body shape as well as structure; all the early Ditson models had fan-braced tops, not X-bracing. This example is in remarkably good condition with its original shellac-varnish finish. The neck is straight and string action is very comfortable. All its parts are original and none of the bracing, including the bridge plate, has been altered or repaired. The original bridge has been reglued, and the bridge pins are not original.