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Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10137&t=51782
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Author:  dpetrzelka [ Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

Ok, I need some of you to talk me out of this...

A local guy has a trashed Martin C1 - holes in the sides, suspect peghead (missing Martin marks) but still has the bar frets. Something you shouldn't even look twice at. It has no sentimental to me, or anyone I know, and I've got better things to do with my time.

But...

I love learning, and gnarly projects. So I keep thinking about picking it up for a retop project, knowing the only value would be the leanring process. A Martin C2 or C3 with Brazilian sides in good shape are well worth retopping, but a broken down Mahogany archtop, I doubt will be of much interest to anyone.

The serial number 51878 is in the Martin records as a C-1 stamped on September 27, 1932.

Just walk away, right?

Author:  dpetrzelka [ Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

and all I have are really bad photos... I'm that guy today.

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Author:  dpetrzelka [ Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

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Author:  dpetrzelka [ Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

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Author:  dpetrzelka [ Fri Apr 05, 2019 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

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Author:  SteveSmith [ Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

It's a tough call. I've rebuilt one basket case and it took a lot of hours. I did learn a lot but I probably put $3000 worth of work into a guitar that might sell for $1500. Not sure I would do it again.

Author:  B. Howard [ Sat Apr 06, 2019 6:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

These are quite often re-topped as flat-tops. Almost the same size as an OM when done if I recall.

Author:  johnparchem [ Sat Apr 06, 2019 7:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

go for it. I had a blast fixing the 51 martin run over by a car http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10137&t=48988. A retop would be a fun project and make the repair of the holes easier.

Author:  dpetrzelka [ Sat Apr 06, 2019 6:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

Thank guys - I needed you to tell me to just walk away.

OM's are my favorite size, I may just have to at least go look at it further...

Author:  Clinchriver [ Sun Apr 07, 2019 7:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

dpetrzelka wrote:
Thank guys - I needed you to tell me to just walk away.

OM's are my favorite size, I may just have to at least go look at it further...


Depends on how busy you are. If it was Brazilian they make a nice conversion into a OM sized flattop. With the neck angle change from an arch top to a flattop your neck does not quite join the body at the 14th fret.

Author:  WudWerkr [ Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

How Much is he asking for it ??

Author:  Hesh [ Thu Apr 11, 2019 5:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

Run away....:). Run away fast and try not to get any on ya my friend.... ;). See ya on facebook.

Author:  jfmckenna [ Thu Apr 11, 2019 2:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

What? Those are called sound ports now :D

Author:  dpetrzelka [ Thu Apr 11, 2019 7:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

jfmckenna wrote:
What? Those are called sound ports now :D


One for your armpit, the other your left knee...

Author:  dpetrzelka [ Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Martin C1 - basketcase project, walk away?

The seller wasn't interested in my modest offer - so I dodged a bullet on this one.

But I do love a challenge, so now I'm on the hunt for another basket case project...

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