Music

Up for sale is a phenomenal-sounding 1957 Martin D-21, among the best examples of this model I’ve played. Check out the included demo video.I found this D-21 at Carter Vintage Guitars over a year ago, and it was the best sub-$25k Martin I played in the shop that day (and better, to my ear, than a number of the prewar and wartime Martins in stock). This guitar demonstrates why the “21” series of Martins (with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, like the “28” series, but also with Brazilian bridge and fretboard, like the “18” series) are just as worth exploring as the 18s and 28s. It is a huge-sounding guitar, and the notes in every register ring like a bell. The overall tone is just beautiful.Thanks to recent work by my friend, luthier Adam Chowning (who is the head acoustic tech at Glaser Instruments here in Nashville), it plays very well. Before I got it, the guitar had a neck reset and refret. However, the original bridgeplate had been replaced with rosewood. Adam replaced the rosewood with a maple bridgeplate, and he also installed a new compensated bone saddle and reglued the bridge. A few top and back cracks (including a pickguard crack) have been either cleated or glued. There is a bit of touchup on the heel, but otherwise, the finish is original, as are the tuners and pickguard.I recently had Beau Hudson of Music City Vintage Guitars appraise this D-21 for $10,000. I have it listed here for $10,800 to help cover Reverb fees, but it is posted elsewhere for $10k. As a bonus, the D-21 comes with its original hardshell case!

The Martin D-21 is an acoustic guitar introduced in 1955, cherished for its rich, balanced sound, high-quality rosewood body, and sleek mahogany neck. It's a part of the illustrious Dreadnought series known for outstanding volume and tonal quality.