A New Web Site Illustrating the Development of the Early Martin Guitar
Created by Folk and Roots Music Photographer Robert Corwin
Featuring Instruments from the Phyllis, Jerry, and Robert Corwin Collection
Please note: This web site has not been publicly announced yet, and is a work in progress, with lots of holes and place holders.
Not all sections are complete - many have not even been started yet. Not all links work. If you've stumbled on this site,
feel free to enjoy what's here, and check back for further additions if you wish, knowing it will take some time before the site is finished.
And, for the time being, let's please keep this web site our little secret, between you and me!
"perfecting the art of 'guitar porn' ...
This site is an amazing labor-of-love, quite possibly the most in-depth, photo-intensive look ever at old, pre-war (and in many cases antique) Martin guitars … All online and for free."
--Jason Verlinde
The Fretboard Journal
Robert's photographs can also be seen in the books "Martin Guitars, a History"
and "Martin Guitars, a Technical Reference" by Johnston, Boak & Longworth
Start here if you're looking for help
Identifying C. F. Martin Guitars
~ FIRST FEATURES ~
Arrowheads and Other Hidden Treasures
Border Patrol
Pearl Jam
The End Is Near
Tuner Sandwich
The Head of the Class
A Stamp of Approval
The Spanish Foot
Speaking Volutes
Feel Like a Heel
A Bridge to Somewhere
On Guard!
Photo Finish
X Marks the Spot
Does Size Matter?
The Shape of Things to Come
We've Got Your Number
All Tied Up
Nuts!!!
Back in the Saddle
Case Closed
A Final Nail in the Coffin
Safe at Home Plate
Hear a Pin Drop
Knock on Wood
Strung Out
Something to Fret About
Your Biggest Fan
~ LATER DEVELOPMENTS ~
Tune Up
Hawaiian Punch
The Tenor of the Times
The Orchestra Model
The Dreadnaught
Double Your Fun
Golden Arches
~ EARLY C. F. MARTIN INSTRUMENTS ~
Before the Styles Were Defined
Martin Stauffer Guitar
Early C.F. Martin Built Hudson Street Viennese Style Guitar
Martin Renaissance Style Guitar
Martin & Coupa Spanish Style Guitar
Martin & Coupa Early Koa Guitar
Martin Spanish Style Guitar
Martin 1840's Alternate X Brace Spanish Style Guitar
Martin Ivory Fingerboard Stauffer Style Guitar
Early Hybrid X Braced Spanish Martin Guitar
Martin & Coupa Alternate X Braced Guitar
Martin X Braced Spanish Guitar
~ MARTIN STYLES ~
As They've Been Defined Since the 1850's
Styles 15, 17 & 18
Styles 20, 21 & 22
Styles 23 & 24
Styles 26 & 28
Styles 27, 30 & 34
Styles 40 & 42
Style 45
Style 45 DeLuxe
Martin Mandolins
~ MARTINS SPECIALLY MADE FOR OTHER FIRMS ~
Oliver Ditson Company Style 1-21, Style 2, Style 11, and Style 22
William Foden Style E
Southern California Music Company "Nunes" Style 1350 & 1400 and "Rolando" Style 1500
the following six sections are coming soon...
Grinnell Brothers "Wolverine"
Wm. L. Lange Paramount Style L Six String and Tenor Resonator Guitars
Montgomery Wards 0-17S
Vadah Olcott-Bickford Style 0-44 Soloist
Perlburg & Halpin "Beltone"
Buegeleisen & Jacobson S.S. Stewart 2-17 Special
Rudolph Wurlitzer Style 2092
Bitting Special Mandolin
Briggs Special Mandolin
Ditson Style A Mandolin
~ CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION ~
Orville Gibson
James Ashborn for William Hall & Son
Joseph Bohmann
The Gibson Company
Johann Stauffer
Schmidt & Maul
The Larson Brothers and Dyer Harp Guitars
Rickenbacher, Gibson and Other Early Electrics
~ CLEANING HOUSE ~
I love these, but I really need to make some room for new ones.
Acoustic Instruments for Sale
Electric Instruments for Sale
I am not in the business of buying and selling guitars, but am interested in purchasing specific unique instruments to round out my collection to present you with a web site with as complete a picture as possible to help you learn. I am interested in substantially original examples made from the 1800's to 1960's by Stauffer, Panormo, Schmidt & Maul, C. F. Martin, Martin & Coupa, Martin & Schatz, Martin & Bruno, Martin & Zoebisch, John Coupa, Oliver Ditson, Southern California Music, John Wanamaker, Wm. J. Smith, Wurlitzer, S.S. Stewart, Orville Gibson, the Gibson Company, and the Larson brothers. I am not hunting for bargains, but seeking quality intstruments at a price that is fair to the buyer and seller alike.
To see Robert's new web site illustrating the development of the Early Gibson Guitar, visit:
earlygibson.com
To see Robert's new web site illustrating the development of the post-Orville Gibson Guitar, visit:
oldgibson.com
To See Robert Corwin's Classic Photography of Folk and Roots Musicians, visit:
robertcorwin.com
For Information on Photography for
Exhibition, Publication, CD's, Promotion, Web Pages, Tour Books,
to Purchase Photographic Prints, or
To Contact Robert With Questions About An Early Martin Guitar:
e-mail: Robert Corwin
The Early Martin and Vintage Martin web pages were first created in September, 2009.
Updated 3/1/11
Entire site copyright ©1998 through 2011 Robert Corwin/Photo-Arts. All rights reserved.
Photographs and written material on this site may not be reproduced without permission.