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Description

SN: 42651. Friends, up for sale is the personal guitar of the late John W. Allison, known in his time for his work as a songwriter, arranger, and historian of American folk music. His collection of early American folk music is now housed in the New York Public Library. He was also a painter of some considerable talent and reputation. Inside, very faintly in pencil is “Bought 1930 – John Allison.” If anyone out there has firsthand knowledge of Mr. Allison, his painting, or his career in music, please get in touch.
Meanwhile, here is a late-stage 12-fret 000-18, solidly in the steel string era, made just before Martin shortened the bodies of their 000s to expose two additional frets. The additional length in the body produces a greater range of nuance, overtone and volume. The 12-fret 000s also have the longer 25.4” scale which gives them excellent response, more bite and more headroom in alternate tunings. This particular year has the transitional 1-13/16” nut and 2-3/8” string spacing making it a fingerpicker’s delight. The 12-fretters braced for steel with the long scale are considered by some to be the true golden era of CF Martin & Co.
I’ve seen only two pictures of Mr. Allison and his instrument taken probably when the guitar was fairly young. In one, he is smoking a pipe in his art studio with his guitar hanging on the wall behind him. The second picture I have included with this listing. The guitar today is quite original except for a couple of loving, very old modifications. There is a small hole in the headstock for hanging the guitar in the studio of course. And a 28-style volute was added to the back of the neck, almost imperceptibly veneered in the proper place, proper shape and everything. Otherwise, the guitar conforms to the specs of the time – mahogany back and sides, red spruce top, ebony board, bridge and nut, bar frets, slotted headstock, simple three-to-a-plate tuners, simple black-white rosette, and simple binding of rosewood. There is extensive crazing and moderate playwear.
The guitar was restored to its original playing specs by Dennis Berck of Eugene, OR. Dennis completed the following work: reset neck, install TJ Thompson repro bridge, complete refret, install new saddle (using an old Martin saddle), rebuild original nut, clean tuners and generally clean the guitar. He repaired an open crack in the top that runs from the bridge to the butt end and aligned and sealed a small crack that runs out from under the fingerboard extension. He cleaned and repaired two old crack repairs on the back and reglued a loose brace. A small fretboard shim was used in the neck reset. A cap was removed from the original bridge plate, which is fine, and the plate has been cleaned up. What an amazing and extensive job.
The guitar plays beautifully and sounds incredible. I have been reluctant to put this one up for sale. But, while my collection has grown, my playing ability has not so much. I’ve decided to pass this and a few others along to someone with stronger chops than mine. It comes in a new Martin 500 series case and, in full disclosure, still smells faintly (and not unpleasantly) of pipe tobacco.

Jet City Guitars, LLC

Jet City Guitars, LLC

1929
C. F. Martin
Good
Natural
Hard
23 Years
Jet City Guitars, LLC
Jim Brown
206-669-7099
Seattle, WA
10:38 PM
By Appointment.

Payment is by personal check or money order. Payment in full, including shipping and insurance, is required before shipment. Personal checks must clear your bank. Please specify preferred shipping method when you order the instrument and we will calculate the exact price for you.

We represent the instruments as accurately as we can. All instruments are shipped on 48-hour approval. If there is damage as a result of the shipping, please contact us immediately and we will deal with the insurance company. If the instrument is damaged in transit from you to me, then you are responsible for dealing with the damage and insurance. For refunds, all instruments must be returned in the same condition as we shipped them in.

All instruments are shipped on 48-hour approval. If there is damage as a result of the shipping, please contact us immediately and we will deal with the insurance company. If the instrument is damaged in transit from you to me, then you are responsible for dealing with the damage and insurance. For refunds, all instruments must be returned in the same condition as we shipped them in.