Rudolph Wurlitzer Company Line Guitars
Rudolph Wurlitzer was one of Martins largest customers, distributing to stores across the country.
The company was started in Cincinnati in 1853 by Franz Rudolph Wurlitzer (1831-1914), who came to this country from a town in Saxony about eight miles from Markneukirchen, home of C.F. Martin. Like Martin, he came from a family of instrument builders in Saxony. He founded the company in 1853, 20 years after Martin came to New York to build guitars, and like Martin, he began by selling instruments imported from Germany. In the 1880s, he manufactured pianos, and in the following decade the company built coin operated pianos. By the 1920' s they were producing in upstate New York the theater organs that made them famous. After WW II, they became known for jukeboxes, pianos, and vending machines, and then for their electronic instruments, including electric pianos.
In addition to selling standard Martin models, often stamped with the Wurlitzer name, the Wurlitzer stores also sold a line of exclusive, specially designed "Company Line" guitars which were the rough equivalent of Standard Martin models, unlike instruments made for the Ditson and Southern California Music stores, and others which were unique custom ordered models.
The Company Line Guitars were ordered for and shipped directly to stores in Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.
The company line of guitars did not last past the single year of 1922. By the end of the year, Martin was shipping to Wurlitzer standard Martin models.
Martin sales would double in the following year, but conventional instrument sales were slow for Wurlitzer, as folkds became more interested in listening to the radio and watching talkies than making music at home.
Martin sold to Wurlitzer Company Line guitars in the following styles:
Wurlitzer 2075 - Martin 2-17
Wurlitzer 2076 - Martin 0-18K
Wurlitzer 2077 - Martin 0-28K
Wurlitzer 2085 - Martin 0-18
Wurlitzer 2086 - Martin 00-18
Wurlitzer 2087 - Martin 000-18
Wurlitzer 2088 - Martin 0-21
Wurlitzer 2089 - Martin 00-21
Wurlitzer 2090 - Martin 0-28
Wurlitzer 2091 - Martin 00-28
Wurlitzer 2092 - Martin 0-42
Wurlitzer 2093 - Martin 00-42
C.F. Martin/Wurlitzer 1922 Style 2092
Beautiful original condition variation of the style 42 made for the Wurlitzer Company and sold as the Wurlitzer model number 2092.
One of only perhaps six made in this style for the Wurlitzer Company
Similar to a Martin Style 42, the Wurlitzer 2092 most notably has a single ring rosette with abalone inner ring. The single ring was used by Martin for guitars made for other firms such as Wurlitzer, Ditson, and the teacher William Foden. The Wurlitzer, however, is the only one to feature the single ring on their top of the line model, making this the only single ring rosette with pearl.
While the top of the line Foden E has pearl borders on the back and sides of the instrument, the Wurlitzer 2092 has pearl on the top only, but shares with the Foden the lack of pearl surrounding the fretboard extension.
No Serial Number
The early Wurlitzer 2092 has Wurlitzer stamps only.
The fretboard inlays are also slightly different than those on a standard Martin Style 42.
C.F. Martin/Wurlitzer 1922 2092 / 0-42
Beautiful original condition variation of the style 42 made for the Wurlitzer Company and sold as the Wurlitzer model number 2092.
One of three or four made for the Wurlitzer Company ordered as 2092, with Wurlitzer stamp, pearl fingerboard surround, and a Maritn serial number and rosette.
Martin Serial #17128
This later example has a Martin serial number and standard Martin Style 42 appointments.
Tuning pegs, nut, saddle, top and back body binding, and fingerboard binding all made of genuine ivory. An abalone pearl border is inlaid on the top of the guitar. An additonal connecting link of pearl is inlaid around the end of the fingerboard, and abalone is also inlaid into the soundhole ring, as well as the ivory bridge pins, and end pin. Beautiful 45 style marquetry in backstripe. The back and sides are French Polished Brazilian Rosewood, the top is red spruce, and the fingerboard is ebony, with Martin style 42 fancy inlays. Dove tail joined headstock and neck with volute. Scalloped X style braces. The pyramid style bridge is a perfect replica of the original, with improved intonation, made by TJ Thompson to replace an earlier oversize replacement.
Serial #17128. "C. F. Martin & Co. Nazareth, PA" is stamped inside the guitar on the center strip inside the back. The name "Wurlitzer" is stamped on the back of the headstock above "C. F. Martin & Co. Nazareth, PA" .
My photos of this guitar appear in Johnston, Boak & Longworth, "Martin Guitars, a Technical Reference"
Unlike the early 2092 with inlays on six frets, the later 2092 has a standard five frets of slightly more complex inlays.
Unlike the early 2092, with Wurlitzer stamps only, the later version features both the Wurlitzer and Martin stamps.
C.F. Martin/Wurlitzer 1922-24 Style 2087
No serial number.
Beautiful original condition variation of the style 000-18, one of 18 made for the Wurlitzer Company and sold as the Wurlitzer model number 2087.
Compared to the standard Martin 000-18, the Wurlitzer 2087 has a Wurlitzer stamp on the headstock and interior center strip, a single ring rosette, and five inlaid dots on three frets of the fretboard.
C.F. Martin/Wurlitzer 1922-24 Style 2088
A variant of a Martin 0-21, one of 13 made for Wurlitzer.
No serial number.
I've also found a guitar with a substantially rebuilt body and a Martin neck with the "Martin / Wurlitzer" brand stamped on the headstock.
This guitar has a bound headstock of the type seen on an Olcott-Bickford, but not seen on any other model. Either an O-B was sold to Wurlitzer, or this is one of the Wurlitzer models we haven't seen yet, such as the single 2093 / 00-42 produced.
The following are the orders for Wurlitzer Company Guitars from Martin.
While the shipping ledger lists Wurlitzer model numbers, virtually all of the orders from October and November were filled with standard Martin models with Martin serial numbers and features. Many, like the 2092 / 0-42 illustrated above, may have both Martin and Wurlitzer stamps on the headstock.
This does not necessarily make them Wurlitzer Company Store Models. Large dealers often sold standard guitars that included stamps, decals, or labels with store name.
Order Book, January 23, 1922
Order Book, January 27, 1922
Order Book, February 2, 1922
Order Book, April 5, 1922
Order Book, August 23, 1922
Order Book, October 30, 1922
Order Book, November 20, 1922
These are the Wurlitzer Company Store guitars sold without Martin serial numbers...
|
Quantity Ordered |
Martin Equivalent |
Model |
Dealer |
Order date |
Number Shipped |
Ship Date/Quantiy/Store |
|
|
25 |
2-17 |
2075 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/23/1922 |
25 |
4/8/1922 13-NY. 5/26. 12-NY. |
BUF=Buffalo |
|
1 |
0-18K |
2076 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
3/28. 1-CN. |
CH=Chicago |
|
1 |
0-28K |
2077 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
3/28. 1-CN |
CLV=Cleveland |
|
1 |
0-18 |
2085 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
3/4 CN |
CN=Cincinnati |
|
1 |
00-18 |
2086 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
3/4 CN |
NY=NewYork |
|
1 |
000-18 |
2087 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
5/26/1922 CN |
PHL=Philadelphia |
|
1 |
0-21 |
2088 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
3/4 CN |
PGH=Pittsburgh |
|
1 |
00-21 |
2089 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
5/26/1922 CN |
SF=San Francisco |
|
1 |
0-28 |
2090 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
3/4 CN |
|
|
1 |
00-28 |
2091 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
5/26/1922 CN |
|
|
1 |
0-42 |
2092 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
3/4 CN |
|
|
1 |
00-42 |
2093 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
1/27/1922 |
1 |
5/26/1922 CN |
|
|
50 |
2-17 |
2075 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
2/2/1922 |
50 |
3/16 10-CN. 3/18 12-NY. 3/25. 15-CN. 6/12 13-NY |
|
|
15 |
0-18K |
2076 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
4/5/1922 |
15 |
. 6/20. 15-CN |
|
|
15 |
0-28K |
2077 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
4/5/1922 |
15 |
8/16. 15-CN |
|
|
15 |
0-18 |
2085 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
4/5/1922 |
12 |
6/20. 3-CN/22 2-SF. 6/26 7-CN/BUF/PHL/PGH/CLV |
|
|
10 |
00-18 |
2086 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
4/5/1922 |
8 |
6/22 1-SF. 6/26 6—CN/BUF/PHL/PGH/CLV. 11/28 1-CH |
|
|
5 |
000-18 |
2087 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
4/5/1922 |
3 |
6/26 2-CN. 1-PHL |
|
|
15 |
0-21 |
2088 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
4/5/1922 |
11 |
6/22 1-SF. 6/26 9-CN-CN/BUF/PGH/CLV. 6/27. 1-CN |
|
|
10 |
0-28 |
2090 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
4/5/1922 |
12 |
6/22 1-SF. 8/12 1-BUF. 8/16 3-CH 8/16 4-CN. 11/28 3-CH |
|
|
5 |
0-42 |
2092 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
4/5/1922 |
5 |
6/26. 1-CL. 8/16 2-CN. 8/16. 2-CH. |
|
|
25 |
2-17 |
2075 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
6/15/1922 |
25 |
. 7/26. 22-CN. 10/13. 3-CN. |
|
|
10 |
2-17 |
2075 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
6/26/1922 |
10 |
7/5. 8-CH. 10/20. 2-CH |
|
|
10 |
0-18 |
2085 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
8/23/1922 |
10 |
10/26. 10-NY |
|
|
5 |
00-18 |
2086 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
8/23/1922 |
5 |
10/26 5-NY |
|
|
5 |
000-18 |
2087 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
8/23/1922 |
5 |
10/26 5-NY |
|
|
5 |
00-21 |
2089 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
8/23/1922 |
5 |
10/26 5-NY |
|
|
5 |
00-28 |
2091 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
8/23/1922 |
5 |
10/26 5-NY |
|
|
3 |
0-42 |
2092 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
8/23/1922 |
3 |
10/26 5-NY |
|
|
3 |
0-42 |
2092 |
Rudolph Wurlitzer |
11/22/1922 |
1 |
11/28 1-CH |
|
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