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2008 Martin Ditson Model 111 Reissue
Price and Status: For pricing and hold status of this instrument, please check here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please email your specific requests to [email protected].
Serial #: 1212874
Sale length: 25.4" Nut width: 1 7/8", Bridge string spacing: 2 3/8" Body depth at endpin: 4 7/8"
Materials and Hardware: Solid bookmatched Adirondack spruce soundboard; figured Mahogany body and neck; solid ebony fingerboard; Brazilian rosewood headplate and binding; solid fossil ivory nut; solid ebony pyramid bridge with bone saddle; Waverly engraved tuners; vintage swirl tortoise pickguard, ebony bridge and endpins.
Notes: At the turn of the 20th century, the Oliver Ditson Co. was a pre-eminent music retailer and publisher, with branches in Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Ditson had been selling Martin guitars since the 1860's, and in 1916, they commisioned Martin to produce a custom line of instruments, among which was a guitar virtually unprecedented in size. Originally conceived as a Hawaiian guitar, the 'Dreadnaught' was named after a WWI British battleship, with a body that dramatically longer, wider and deeper than any previous Martin instrument. In addition, the 12 fret neck was built with a long 25.4" scale, and strung with steel strings, both features new to the builders at Nazareth. So advanced was the Model 111 that it preceded Martin's first steel string models by a full six years. And it wasn't until after the Ditson company closed its doors in 1931 that Martin finally built its first dreadnought, no less than fifteen years after the pioneering Ditson 111 made its debut.
The Martin Ditson Model 111 Reissue is a faithful tribute to that groundbreaking guitar, meticulously re-created from the measurements of one of the seven original Ditsons. Weighing in at barely 4 lb., the Ditson is the lightest Martin dreadnought we have seen to date, with its bookmatched Adirondack soundboard, and X braces crafted to featherweight tolerances. The generous 1 7/8" fossil ivory nut is ideal for fingerstyle play, and the powerful resonance of the elongated mahogany is utterly congenial to the flatpicker as well. With vintage touches like the Brazilian Rosewood headplate and binding, Ditson style tortoise guard, Waverly engraved tuners, antique toned top, and solid ebony fingerboard and bridge and endpins, the Model 111 Reissue is faithful in every detail to the style of the Great War era, right down to the Ditson Co. stamps on the headstock and center brace.
The neck profile is pleasingly full, with smooth low action over dead level fretwork. Best of all, the rare Adirondack spruce top, legendary on the prewar models, produces a voice that is stunningly clear, even and powerful. The one concession to modernity in the Ditson (and most welcome for the modern player) is the adjustable truss rod, discreetly tucked inside the soundhole. This recent example is in immaculate condition, and appears virtually unplayed. Even the deluxe arched plush lined hardshell case is vintage correct.
The grandaddy of the world's most popular guitar, the Ditson 111 lives again in this stunning limited edition. One only, call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference.
Case: Original Marin plush lined hardshell case with arched lid.
