A Father's day treat

[David Eastwood]

New set of strings on my lovely old Martin. Long overdue - I tend to keep it in its case over the Minnesota winter, but it's more than humid enough for it to sit out now.

This is a 1963 0-16NY, which I bought for the princely sum of $340, back in 1984, when I first came to the US. The bridge is not original - Charles Hoffman's shop replaced it some 10 years ago - and the pick guard covers a couple of nasty divots, and a crack in the top, also taken care of during that visit to Charlie's. The tuners are also replacements - Gotohs, with which I am well pleased.

This little wonder has been in my possession for more than half my life, and I could never imagine being without it.

[Jim Owen]

Nice guitar, and I'm glad you gave yourself some new strings on it for father's day. Play happy.

[riverrummed]

Just about the sweetest looking little guitar one could ask for. Nothing like new strings; always the quickest and easiest way to make any guitar sound better. Happy Father's day, man.

[David Eastwood]

Oh, and BTW, it took me about 15 leisurely minutes to restring it this afternoon.

No blood was drawn.

[Robban_80]

Really beautiful!

[Glennwillow]

Great old Martin, David! Thanks for the photos!

I remember hearing Eric Tingstad (of Tingstad & Rumbel) play that model Martin in a concert. It sounded quite good.

- Glenn

[zplay]

Lucky guy to have such a nice life companion! She shows some years and some miles, but beautiful still and full of soul. She deserved that shiny new jewelry you hung on her.

[nopicknick]

Beautiful guitar......thanks for sharing!

[Scootch]

Very nice. Looks like an old friend for sure.

[Wade Hampton]

Nice guitar, David. It looks well-traveled, well-played and well-loved.

This model is a great favorite of Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, particularly on "Aqualung," "Thick As A Brick" and other albums from that era. He's indicated in guitar magazine interviews that he owns several of them, as well as similar small-bodied guitars by other makers.

So when you play it do you wear tights and a codpiece and play standing as you balance on one leg?

Years ago I had a friend back home in Kansas City who played a lot of ragtime and country blues on a Martin New Yorker. Sounded great in his hands. In my hands? Not so much...

Anyway, it's a classic design, and I find it kind of heart-warming in a way when the bridge HAS been replaced and a pickguard installed to cover some divots and some better quality tuners have the taken the place of the worn-out (or maybe just mediocre) originals: it shows that it's a workhorse guitar that's being used and has been used, year in and year out, for decades.

Nice guitar.


Wade Hampton Miller

[guit3090]

Sweet,
Love it, has it had a fret job, they look in really great shape, nice shape guitar!!

[Chicago Sandy]

Does it sound as comfy and timeless as it looks? Nice guitar--what strings did you give it?

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

This model is a great favorite of Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, particularly on "Aqualung," "Thick As A Brick" and other albums from that era. He's indicated in guitar magazine interviews that he owns several of them, as well as similar small-bodied guitars by other makers.

So when you play it do you wear tights and a codpiece and play standing as you balance on one leg?

I first found out about this model precisely because of Ian Anderson! The inner sleeve of Minstrel in the Gallery has a picture of him with one.

Alas, my tights and codpiece days are over. About the only place I can think of where I habitually stand on one leg is in the shower

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by guit3090

Sweet,
Love it, has it had a fret job, they look in really great shape, nice shape guitar!!

It's never had a refret, to the best of my knowledge. When I had the bridge done, we talked about the potential for a neck reset somewhere down the road, but 10+ years later, it doesn't appear to have shifted at all. One day, it will surely need it, and I'll gladly foot the bill when the time comes.

Originally Posted by Chicago Sandy

Does it sound as comfy and timeless as it looks? Nice guitar--what strings did you give it?

It does indeed, Sandy - it's warm and surprisingly punchy for its size. I put a set of Elixir Nanoweb PB Lights (12-53) on it this time; it sounds its best with John Pearse PBs, but they don't last anything like as well as the Elixirs do.

[Wade Hampton]

After I mentioned that Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull has long used Martin New Yorker model guitars, David wrote:

Originally Posted by eatswodo

I first found out about this model precisely because of Ian Anderson! The inner sleeve of Minstrel in the Gallery has a picture of him with one.

Alas, my tights and codpiece days are over. About the only place I can think of where I habitually stand on one leg is in the shower

My wife discourages me from sauntering around in tights and a codpiece, too, let's just leave it at that.

But, David, one possible solution for you would be to rent a storage unit, keep the tights and codpiece there, and then go there to wear them in privacy whenever the urge comes upon you. I mean, there's no actual reason that your wife should know about this secret arrangement unless you were to foolishly TELL her....

Just a thought.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton "SITTING On A PARK BENCH!!" Miller