Originally inspired by 4-string Irish banjos, the Tenor Guitar is often misunderstood and too often overlooked. The earliest origins of the tenor guitar are somewhat unclear, but by 1927, Tenor models appeared in the Martin catalog.
In those days, tenor guitars provided a familiar neck and tuning for plectrum banjo players who were hired for guitar gigs. After a burst of popularity during the folk revival of the '60s, tenor guitars were back in fashion. Even though sales dwindled through the mid-'70s, Martin has continued to build them in limited quantities. Nowadays, they have found a home in bluegrass, Americana, folk, Celtic, and many other genres where a resonant, articulate tone is desired.
The Martin 5-15T was introduced in 1949, and it features a 22" scale tenor setup on an all-mahogany Size-5 body. Tenor guitars can be tuned a lot of different ways, and the shorter scale paired with the small 11-1/4"-wide body make this model a great fit for low G (GDAE). Its size and scale are very similar to an Octave Mandolin, so this tuning gives it that octave mandolin vibe. By tuning in 5ths, you unlock a lot of two-finger chord voicings that leave droning open strings. The all-mahogany construction lends a warmer, richer tone, and low notes resonate like you wouldn't believe. With such a comfortable, compact body, a good 5-15T pulls new songs, melodies, and ideas right out of you.
This 1961 Martin 5-15T has been through quite a bit over the years, but thanks to a proper neck reset, refret, and new intonated bone saddle, it plays nicely and sounds absolutely beautiful. At some point, the top was refinished, and the original pickguard was replaced with a new self-adhesive guard. It looks like the guitar was dropped on the treble side at one point, but the damage has all been repaired and is stable. There is also evidence of some back separation on the bass side, and they may have occurred at the same time as the wound on the treble side. Beyond that, there are two curious screw holes on the peghead (perhaps the remnants of some old custom headplate).
But what's amazing about this old tenor guitar is how much it sings. Its tone is rich and refined, almost like a well-aged wine. It resonates and sustains beautifully in low G tuning. It's easy to get lost in the beautiful sounds it produces. This 1961 Martin 5-15T is an inspiring songwriter that will sound great in the studio. Thanks to the meticulous repair work, it is ready for next 50+ years of service. It includes its original pickgaurd and its original chipboard case, which is decent enough shape to cart it around, too.