The $60 ,almost a Martin guitar, I have. I need wood ID and such.

fett · Apr 20, 2023

About 18 years ago, I bought this guitar at a thrift store. I was amazed at how well it was made. I actually got them to knock down the price because of the checking. I had it sitting around among the 600 for years. Since my arm and eye issues have been dealt with, I have been sifting through my stash. I searched the world over and I couldn't find it until today. I knew it was luthier made. It was obviously fashioned after a Martin. Based on the tuners, I think it was made in the '70's. I think it's a spruce top with rosewood sides and back. Am I correct? I have more pics if you want to see them.

smk506 · Apr 20, 2023

Looks cool, but I can assure you that no one here can identify the wood used for the back and sides without seeing a pic of the back and sides :laugh2:

.

I like the looks of that one from the pic though, for some reason it does look like a good one from here, whatever that means and whatever it’s worth.

fett · Apr 20, 2023

sawmill beach

fett · Apr 20, 2023

fett · Apr 20, 2023

It has been in the case for all those years. Today, I strummed it and the damn thing was almost spot on. The bridge hasn't lifted. Other than the checking that was there when I bought it, I can't see any other major issues. I wood bet that this guitar could take on a comparable period correct Martin model and do quite well.

six-string · Apr 20, 2023

Hard to see the logo correctly in your slightly blurry photo.
Is it a B logo?

Check against this list... https://www.guitar-list.com/logos/B

back and sides look like Indian rosewood. Top possibly a red spruce or aged/dyed sitka.

fett · Apr 20, 2023

Here's the head shot.

Damn. The fretboard might be ebony.

pnuggett · Apr 20, 2023

fett · Apr 20, 2023

^^ You are always so helpful when I post. Anyway, here's a shot of the fretboard.

smk506 · Apr 20, 2023

fett said:
^^ You are always so helpful when I post. Anyway, here's a shot of the fretboard.

Those are some seriously rolled edges on the bass side of the fretboard especially. I’m curious what your research yields on this one.

efstop · Apr 20, 2023

Need a clearer shot of the stamp burned into the back strip visible through the sound hole. The strings make it blurry.

fett · Apr 20, 2023

I will try. Thanks for your interest. I have handled a real vintage Martin. That's a story I have told. I know the bracing patterns and all that. The branding iron name is hard to make out. This is the first time I have looked at this guitar with my new X-Ray eye. I'm posting about this guitar to get info and offer a bit of relief from more "serious" threads.

DavGrape · Apr 20, 2023

Joseph W. Hanson in the sound hole, which ain't helping much.

fett · Apr 20, 2023

DavGrape said:
Joseph W. Hanson in the sound hole, which ain't helping much.

That's what I made out way back when. I live in the PacNW. It was donated to a store up here. He may have been local. You be better than any PI we see on old TV. :hippie:

DavGrape · Apr 20, 2023

Waaal... that headstock logo might be an 'A'. or CA or AC
Them fret markers are pretty wild, Grover machines...
Cool as heck fiddle.

fett · Apr 20, 2023

This Hanson guy did some serious work. It's a really nice guitar. It cracks me up. It is a Martin-like Hanson. It's prolly just as good, if not better, than a mass produced Martin. I am convinced it's a '70's era guitar. I know!!!! I'm going to spend 3 or 4 thousand bucks on a Martin and do a blind-test with one arm. :hippie:

LtDave32 · Apr 20, 2023

Looks like Bolivian rosewood back and sides and headstock overlay.

fett · Apr 20, 2023

Hi, Dave and thanks. This guitar exudes quality and craftmanship. I haven't taken any special efforts to protect this guitar other than to store it a semi-good case. It has gone through all these years in my unheated Summer Home. Not to mention the hot summers. It was able to withstand the "fettaverse".

LtDave32 · Apr 20, 2023

Fett, you have mentioned "Martin" a zillion times here. What makes this a "Martin" over any other dreadnaught? The bracing?

LtDave32 · Apr 20, 2023

fett said:
Hi, Dave and thanks. This guitar exudes quality and craftmanship. I haven't taken any special efforts to protect this guitar other than to store it a semi-good case. It has gone through all these years in my unheated Summer Home. Not to mention the hot summers. It was able to withstand the "fettaverse".

You answered before I typed.

Look in the sound hole at the top underside. Look for X bracing like this:

or similar. Solid top and X bracing are where it's at.

Clean the fret board and the rest of it with lighter luid and a soft rag.

Don't use alcohol.

Listen to me on this.

Look around the rim edge of the sound hole. Is it one piece of spruce or a ply?

The $60 ,almost a Martin guitar, I have. I need wood ID and such.

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