Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference -- R. Johnson D. Boak

[ken cierp]

The book was released in 2009 -- it's a highly revised and updated version of a manual published by Mike Longworth. What is so cool about this release is that it now has the blessing of the Martin organization.

Technical reference indeed! Mountains of pictures, release notices, production runs, dimensions, model back ground information, affiliations and general evolution. I particularly like the explanation of "OM" -- I have yet to see "Orchestra Model" explained correctly other than in this publication, here's a tease -- just about every size Martin at some time had an "OM" designation.

I like having it around to fact check -- the internet is full of repeated inaccurate Martin information and data, sadly mostly at the forums.

While not a construction manual, it is great fun and is full of little known stuff -- like the Octa-Chorda A Ditson Dreadnaught with 8 strings!! How about that Dave Bagwill. And there was a 1930 "000" version as well.

The book is a bit pricey but I do recommend it to all guitar lovers.

[Dave Bagwill]

An 8 string Ditson???

Oh man, thanks for starting a new obsession. Yes!! I must look into this. I am not kidding, the idea took immediate possession of my mind.

Got kit??

[Dave Bagwill]

That may have been a Ditson mandocello with the 8 strings, not the Ditson 'dred'.

[ken cierp]

Nope - in the book it says "Ditson 111 Dreadnaught with an 8 string bridge.

[Dave Bagwill]

Most excellent!

[Woodyok]

Hi Ken, Hi Dave

It is ironic that his should come up .I am thinking of building a baritone Ditson eight string and just make it 14 frets to the neck.

[Dave Bagwill]

Hey Woody! Haven't heard from you in a while.

I am totally in favor of you building an 8 string Ditson, before I try one. :-)