Preowned Martin Custom Shop Size 5 "Terz" 12-Fret in All Mahogany

This Preowned 2019 Martin Custom Shop Size 5 "Terz" 12-Fret in All Mahogany is in excellent condition, with some small finish bubbles on the binding edge and some slight belt buckle scratching on the back (see photos). It includes its original hardshell case, and has a custom DeArmond soundhole pickup installed.

From our friends at Gruhn Guitars about the origins of this unique body size:

"Early in the history of the Martin company, guitars of this size were not viewed as a junior or three-quarter instruments, but were part of the Germanic tradition of “terz” guitars, designed to be tuned to a minor third – three frets higher than standard pitch and suitable for solo performances and harmony work. Terz guitars were produced by many 19th-century Germanic makers, and many European composers in the early/mid 19th century – most notably Giuliani and Sor – wrote solo and ensemble music that included parts for terz guitar. C.F. Martin, Sr. was deeply influenced by the designs of Johan Stauffer and was familiar with Stauffer’s terz guitars. Some surviving Martins of the 1830s and ’40s are terz guitars, and have a scale of 22″."

Tuned up a third (imagine playing with a capo at the 3rd fret), this unique guitar has a surprisingly bold voice for something with such a small body size, and is excellent at arpeggiated chords, single note lines and melodies, and intimate playing.  It offers a unique voice for a player looking for something different to add to their tonal range.

With Solid Mahogany top, back, and sides, it has a wonderful midrange voice and warm attack.

Photos are of the actual guitar for sale, SN 2351058.

Construction: 1 Style; Sipo Blocks; M&T Joint
Body Size: Size 5 12-Fret
Top: Genuine Mahogany
Top Grade: 3
Top Braces: Sitka; 1 Style; Size 5
Bracing Pattern: 1 Style Size 5 (No A Frame)
Top Binding: East Indian Rosewood
Top Inlay: .042" B/M/B Fiber
Rosette: Style 18 (Old Style) w/Center .047" Paua
Pearl Inlay: .047" Paua Pearl
Additional Rosette Inlay: Black/Maple Fiber
Pickguard: None

Back: Genuine Mahogany, 2 Piece
Purfling: 1/32" East Indian Rosewood Strip w/ B/M/B Inlay on each side - MITERED
Center Strip/Loc. Stamp: Sitka Standard (C.F. Martin & Co. Nazareth, PA between 1st and 2nd Brace)
Back Braces: Sitka Spruce
Back Binding: East Indian Rosewood
Back Inlay: .042" Black/Maple/Black Fiber (Mitered)

Sides: Genuine Mahogany
Endpiece: East Indian Rosewood - 3 Inlay Wedge
Endpiece Inlay: .042 B/M/B - Boxed

Block: Sipo
Tag/Plate: Sipo
Rear: Size 5 Sipo Back
Front: Size 5 Adjustable Sipo - M&T
Line 1: C. F. Martin Logo
Line 2: CUSTOM
Line 3: Serial Number

Neck: Select Mahogany
Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval w/PA Taper
Headstock: Solid/6 String No Diamond/Square Taper
Truss Rod: NR, Adjustable, 2 Way, 12-Fret, 21.38"/270mm, Mini
Heelcap: None
Nut: Bone
On Angle/Flat: Flat
Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Headplate Decal: Golden Era, Large
Headplate Binding: None
Tuning Machines: Grover Nickel V97-18NA StaTite 18:1 Vintage Button (11/32")
Fingerboard: Black Ebony
Fingerboard Radius: 16"
Scale Length: 21.38"
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8"
Fretwire: G-300
Frets Clear of Body: 12
Total Frets: 18
Fingerboard Binding: None
Fingerboard Inlay: Diamond and Squares - Short Pattern (Select Abalone) (GE)
Side Dots: Grained Ivoroid

Finish Type: Gloss/Satin Neck
Body Finish: Non-Catalyzed Gloss/Universal Dark Mahogany Stain/Rosewood Filler
Top Finish: Non-Catalyzed Gloss/Universal Dark Mahogany Stain/Rosewood Filler
Neck Finish: Catalyzed 15 Sheen Satin/Universal Dark Mahogany Stain/Rosewood Filler

Bridge: Black Ebony
Style: Straightline w/ Drop-In Saddle (Size 5)
Bridge Inlay: None
String Spacing: 2 3/16"
Saddle: 16" Radius/Compensated/Bone

Electronics: None
Strings: MA540T
Bridge Pins: Ebony
End Pin: Ebony