2007 C. F. Martin Ditson Dreadnought 111 Natural

SN 1258769. Beginning in 1916, Martin built a line of guitars for the Oliver Ditson Company that were unlike any guitars in their line at the time. They had a unique, wide-waisted design and came in three sizes – a parlor, a 00-sized “Concert” model, and later the “Extra Large” which became known as the Dreadnought, after a British class of battleship. The earliest models had “fan-braced tops” but after 1921, they switched to martin’s standard X-braced top. And a classic was born. Martin made these guitars, sold exclusively by the Oliver Ditson Company Music Stores, until 1930 when the Ditson stores were sold. A few months later, Martin began producing its own line of “Extra Large” guitars introducing the D-1 in 1930. The D-1 became the D-18 and the D-2, introduced later, became the D-28. The rest, as they say, is history.

Built in small numbers between 2007-2009, this edition of the “Ditson Dreadnought 111”is a faithful reproduction of one of the most important guitars in Martin’s history. It’s a classic 12-fret dread with a top that is nearly a full inch longer than the 14-fret dread (about 5%). Construction is of Adirondack Spruce with scalloped, forward-X bracing, mahogany back and sides with rosewood trim, an ebony pyramid bridge and unusual pickguard true to the original Ditson design. The mahogany neck is substantial but not uncomfortable. The nut is 1-7/8” and string spacing at the bridge is just over 2-3/8”. The ebony fretboard has three small graduated dots on the 5th, 7th and 9th frets. Slotted headstock stamped “Oliver Ditson Company, Boston, New York” on the back. The details of the original are captured in this fine reproduction.

Condition of this one is pretty much mint. There’s a little swirling on the pickguard but that’s about all there is to report. The action is dead solid perfect with lots of saddle to go lower if you need it. The tone is huge. It’s a head turner. It’s rich, woody and lush; full of dynamic character. It can be a little intimidating playing a guitar with this kind of power, but if you’re attracted to power – and can wield it responsibly – the rewards are great.
Comes with a non-original hardshell case.

Some of the information in this description was sourced from ricjard Johnson and Dock Boak’s excellent “Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference” and the invaluable www.vintagemartins.com.

Studio photos available soon. Email inquiries to jetcityguitars@comcast.net.

SPECS:

Top: Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Rosewood binding, three graduated fretboard dots
Nut width: 1-7/8”
String spacing: 2-3/8”
Body width: 15-7/8”
Depth: 4-3/4”
Scale length: 25.5”
Case: HSC