I have a '64 0-16NY. a lovely guitar that songs seem to fall out of....
How it came to me is a rather odd, and sad, story. When I was a freshman in high school,(1967) a girl, named Mary Jane, sat right in front of me in home room. She was quiet, but we were friendly, and talked a bit because we were both learning to play guitar. Fast forward to the folowing summer, where she was riding her bike home and took a tumble, and died of head injuries.
FF 12 or so yrs, after traveling around, gigging, and engineering I got offered a job in Noel Stookey's ( "Paul" of peter paul and mary) studio, where I'd done some freelance work, and which was sort of close to where I grew up. One day we get a call at the studio asking if someone could take a look at a guitar. I said come on over and I'll take a look and see if I know anything useful.
They show up with a chipboard case, and I'm thinking " cheap yamaha beginner guitar". I talk with them for a few minutes and figure out it was the parents of this girl I'd known, they tell me it was Mary Jane's guitar, and I tell them about MJ and I being in home room and talking about guitar. So, I open up the case and, surprise, there's this nice little Martin. I had no idea what it was worth, so I called a guy who ran a music shop where I bought stuff. He said " probably 5-7 hundred, retail". I told them. They asked if I'd like to buy it... I said sure, but I don't have anywhere near enough money.
" How much do you have?"
I looked in my check book: "A little over $250."
"It's yours for $225. if you want it."
It has sweet soul to it. I run it with nylon right now ( Savarez), and often use alt tunings. it is very clear , but has a much bigger sound than I would have ever expected . not flabby at all, just big. it records great: solo it needs no eq, and in a mix, just whatever needs to be downplayed for the other insts.
I don't think these models are particularly collectable, and I'm glad, 'cos I think they belong in player's hands.
anyhoo, that's my little martin tale.
j