1965 Martin 00-21NY Steel String Guitar Used

Martin’s “NY” version of their iconic 00-21 model only lasted for four years (1961-1965) and this example is from the final year of that run. The NY stands for “New Yorker,” which was the nickname players gave to the guitars Martin made in the 1800s, which had a New York stamp rather than the Nazareth stamp used later. These early guitars were popular with folkies like Joan Baez, and you can think of this model as one the first vintage reissues. The blank fingerboard, smaller rectangular bridge, and lack of a pickguard certainly give it a more vintage vibe, but rest assured these models were intended for steel strings and work well with light gauge bronze. That doesn’t mean this one wouldn’t sound good with silk & steel strings, however, which would make for even easier string action (and it’s very easy with the light gauge steel strings that are on it now).

This example still has its original tuners, nut, bridge and bridge pins and the finish is all original with no signs of touch-up or overspray. No cracks that we can see. Gryphon did a neck reset and refret. This is a one-owner or “one family” guitar and the few marks to the finish from playing and handling suggest that it didn’t see much use. But almost 60 years after it left the Martin factory in Nazareth it sounds great and is as playable as a new guitar.