When Christian Frederick Martin, Senior first moved to the USA to build guitars in 1833, the original "C.F. Martin & Co" shop was established on 5th Avenue in New York City. To celebrate those original New York made guitars, Martin introduced the "NY" New Yorker models in 1961. Although they are braced for modern steel strings, these 12-fret slot-heads pay tribute to the 19th Century Martins. Only offered for a short time, the NY models are perhaps the only true parlor guitars made in the post-war era.
This 00-21NY is one of 126 made in 1962. This Martin is simple and straightforward: a 12-fret 00-body with a 24.9" scale length, constructed with a Sitka Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. Just like the pre-1930s Martin 12-frets, this 00-21NY sports a wide 1-7/8" nut width, and the string spacing at the bridge measures 2-5/16". Understated Style-21 appointments—featuring tortoise-pattern binding—look more in line with 19th-Century Martins. Plus, there's no pickguard, no fingerboard inlays, and a straight-across bridge, instead of the modern belly bridge shape. The slotted headstock completes the parlor vibe and aesthetic, but the prominent "C.F. Martin & Co." decal isn't something you see on the old ones. Very cool!
This 1962 Martin 00-21NY finds us in excellent playable condition. In the past, the neck has been reset, and the bridge has been reglued as well. The saddle is leaning slightly, but nothing that affects playability or needs to be addressed at this time. The original Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard has been refretted, so every note rings clear and true all the way up the fingerboard. The intonation is right where it wants to be, and the current setup is nice and low—pretty much on par with brand new Martins fresh from the factory. A previous owner added clear adhesive pickguards to the top around the sound hole, and there's some cool wear on the treble edge of that. There are no signs of cracks, breaks, or structural repairs. Martins are built tough, and this one has been played but taken care of. The bridge plate is original, and it's fairly worn—the ball ends sit in the slots, but the pins still hold the strings as they should and the guitar sounds fantastic with no issues.
This 1962 00-21NY produces articulate, balanced small-body tone. Because of the 12-fret design and lightweight straight across bridge, it has nice bass response for a 00-size Martin. The wider fingerboard may be ideal for fingerpicking, but it sounds really nice with a pick, too. The Brazilian Rosewood lends a sense of clarity and richness to the sound that you won't get from any other tonewood. All around, this is one of the sweetest small-body Martins in the shop. It includes a hardshell case.