Martin 00-21T?

[mrmando]

Found someone selling what he claims is a Martin 00-21T tenor. Can't find any record of Martin ever making such a beast. Here are photos; what do you make of them?

[dburtnett]

Never heard of that one either... Would love to chech it out "hands on".

ratio of upoer and lower bout don't look quite right... might be perspective though. Reminds me a bit of the Tim O'brien model 00-18, has a modern look.

Is this out in your neck of the woods? If in New England I'd go see it!

Daryl

[mrmando]

Yeah, the front shot looks distorted ...

Haven't heard back from the seller yet. I've asked for a photo of the neck block with model & SN.

[Ed Goist]

According to tenorguitar.com, a whopping 8 TOTAL were built:

O-21T (three made, 1929; two made, 1930 and 1935; one made, 1961) spruce top

[mrmando]

Hm. Well, he says this is a 00-21T, not an 0-21T.

[Ed Goist]

Indeed. It would be helpful if I actually read the thread title...Doh!...Sorry about the confusion.
According to tenorguitar.com here are the size OO tenors that were built by Martin:
Size OO
OO-18T (6 made, 1931-40)
OO-28T (one each made, 1931, 1940)
OO-17P plectrum model (one made, 1940)
No OO-21T?

[Charles E.]

When Martin made tenor guitars, I believe they shortend the upper bout so that the neck would join the body at the 14th fret and the bridge would be in a some what normal place. If they did that to a double O model it might explain the odd looking upper bout.

[mrmando]

Well, if it is what he says it is, it's a previously unknown model! Pretty nifty. Do Martin mysteries still unfold in this day and age?

If it were a one-off personal instrument by a Martin employee, would it have a serial number?

[mrmando]

Ah well, 'twas on the Boston Craig's List, but 'tis gone already. SN was 58436, reportedly. If you found it & bought it because I posted it here, you're welcome.

[Ed Goist]

$?

[mrmando]

$750 is what he was asking for it. An absolute steal if it's authentic.

[Ed Goist]

?!!

[mrmando]

Reportedly Mike Longworth's Martin Guitars: A History lists two 00-21T's, made in 1934, which matches the serial number reported for this one.

[goaty76]

Reportedly Mike Longworth's Martin Guitars: A History lists two 00-21T's, made in 1934, which matches the serial number reported for this one.

Well if you really really wanted it I guess you'll have to find that other one.

Phil