Martin D-41 joined the 'family'

Another craigslist score.  Yes, it was priced well. I have lusted for a Martin dred for some time, but either didn't find one when I had the money, or couldn't afford it when one appeared.    I have a nice Larrivee D03R which is a great bassy dred for bluegrass, but I guess you can never have too many guitars   ;o)    This one is extremely clean...I understand the original owner didn't play it much.  Don't you wonder about people who say their guitar is in 'mint condition' ?   Gee, I would rather a guitar was played and had developed some character...but that's just me.

This rig isn't overly decorated, but just enough Abalone to look beautiful, and enough Rosewood/ebony/bone to make a terrific Martin.  Serial #872566 means it was built in 2002. 

I have a friend who is totally twitterpated over scalloped bracing.. I guess Martin ressurected this technique after the pre-war scalloped dreds turned into guitar-gold with their thunderous bass response.    The D-41 has scalloped standard X bracing so we're all happy, I guess.

This lovely instrument sounds wonderful, is fun to play, and may just make my other 'kids' jealous by all the attention I will be paying her.  The previous owner had a local luthier drop the action a bit too low for me, and frankly below where the awesome bass shines.  A new bone saddle will fix that.

And by the way, honey--thanks for the early Christmas present!

D'Addario EXP17 Med Phos/Bronze
Martin SP 4200    Med Phos/Bronze

She has been given the name Delilah and joins Bobbie, Red, Rose, Opal and Julia.

"Bobbie" - Taylor 306 GB, BigBaby .   SN/20010807350-2  mfg 2001.  Purchased used.   This guitar has scalloped bracing and a big sound.
      Travlin' guitar...named Bobbie Magee (you gotta be old to get it)


"Red" - Larrivee D03-R SN/03-80725 mfg 8/15/2005.  Purchased new.
     As in Red-Green, the Canadian.   Red is my fester and jammin' box.

"Rose" - Gitane DG250M SN/0308240276 .  Gypsy Jazz  w/ K&K-Sound passive pickup.   mfg 2003 Purchased new.  My main box for church.
     For Gypsy Rose Lee


"Opal" - Ovation CS245 SN/7057590 12-string w/  onboard preamp.  mfg 1998-2001 Purchased used.
      I just like the assonant sound 'O'.

"Julia" - Martin 12DX1 SN/1283262  12-string  w/ K&K-Sound passive pickup.  mfg 2007. Purchased new.
      Big, loud and meaty like Julia Child.  Made in Mexico, so pronounced Hoolia.

And of course, "Delilah" - Martin D-41 SN/872566 mfg 2002.  Purchased used.
       ..Because Delilah was very beautiful and sensual.

Soon, I'll have another to add.   I'm building a Les Paul type electric with Myrtle top set and Mahogany body.  Progress in building will be on alaskawood .  

I'll need to come up with a good name...maybe Myrtle , not quite as sexy as Lucille.

Some other instruments:
Seagull  S series Grand  F9  for my wife
Michael Kelly F-style mandolin SN/230223
Epiphone A-style mandolin MM 30/AS  SN/DW06110083


Update:  I wanted to bring the action up on the D-41 so I could get more boom out of her, and went to local guitar repairman, Mike Fleck, to get a bone saddle blank.  He said he didn't have any in stock, but just makes his own from bone he buys down at Alaska Mill and Feed.

Well, darn, why didn't I think of that?   I ran down to the feed store and grabbed a nice clean cow bone and after a little bandsaw and sander work, I began filing the compensation and had a new saddle in a jiffy for a fraction of the price buying it online.

Of course, the bottom line is the sound--and she sounds great!

Ovation Celebrity Deluxe 12-string

picture from zzounds.com

This beauty came up on craigslist a while ago for $180.   It had a loose bridge, no case but otherwise in pretty good shape.   Looked like it had some trauma on the back, and had a small crack in the plastic where access hole cap attaches. 

I removed the bridge with some careful application of heat from an iron, good masking of the finish and a palette knife.  I had trouble finding a replacement bridge, so I carefully flattened it out with sandpaper, reglued it and strung her back up.

I just love this guitar.   Holds pitch perfectly, easy to play, electronics work well.