c.f.martin size 2 1926

by sandy
(greenville, sc)

I have a Martin guitar that has a serial number: 24542. It is small, and I believe a size 2 (18-1/4" long, 12-3/8" wide and 3-3/4" deep). It is all mahogany and has 12 frets. The serial number is located inside the soundhole at the base of the neck and that is the only number on the guitar. It has a slotted peghead with the C.F. Martin name on the back. The bridge plate is 1" wide.

This guitar is all original, with no case. It hasn't been altered or refinished. I would say it's condition is very good to excellent. There is slight wear to the finish on the back of the neck where it was held by the person who played it. I purchased it recently from a local estate.

I would appreciate any information you might have, especially it's value in today's marketplace.

Thanks, Sandy

ANSWER

Hi, Sandy--

The serial number comes up as early 1926. From the measurements, it does appear to be a size "2".

From the manufacture date and the mahogany, we can narrow it down to two possible versions. Here is the Blue Book general info:

MODEL 2-17 (SECOND VERSION)
- Size 2 body, mahogany top, back, and sides, round soundhole with three thin B/W/B rings rosette, three-ply top binding with outer rosewood layer, rosewood back binding (no back binding in 1930), thin black backstripe, rosewood fingerboard with two dot inlays at the 7th fret, rectangular bridge, available in Natural finish, total production of 6,044 instruments, mfg. 1922-1930.

Excellent 2,200 - 2,750
Average $1,500 - 1,800

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MODEL 2-18
- Size 2 body, spruce top, rosewood (1898-1917) or mahogany (1917-1938) back and sides, round soundhole with wood colored rope pattern (1898-1902) or three-stripe rosette (1/9/1 grouping between 1902 and 1938), five-ply top binding, single-ply back binding with outer rosewood (1898-1932), black (1932-36), or tortoise (1936-38) layer, black backstripe, ebony fingerboard with no inlays (1898-1902) or dot inlays (1902-1938), total production of 100 instruments, mfg. 1898-1938.

$2,200 - 2,750
$1,450 - 1,800

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***You will need to see which of these best matches your guitar.

Best Wishes,
Lynne