Stauffer Guitars & early Martin Guitars - C.F. Martin Guitar Factory 2012-08-06 - 004

Exhibits

Vienna era

1. Johann Stauffer Terz Guitar (c.1820-1830)
2. (Vienna Stauffer-style guitar by C. F. Martin, Sr.) (1834-1835)

Details

Vienna era

• Johann Stauffer Terz Guitar (c.1820-1830)

Johann Stauffer Terz Guitar
ca. 1820-1830 (Signed Johann A. Stauffer)

This pre-Martin guitar was made at the
Stauffer factory in Vienna, possibly during
the time period between 1811 and 1824
when C. F. Martin, Sr. worked in Stauffer's
shop. It is the Luigi Legnani model. Legnani
was perhaps the most famous guitarists of
his day, and his special endorsee relationship
with the luthiers at the Stauffer shop is well
documented. "Terz" models had a shorter
string length and were intended to be tuned
a minor third above standard pitch. C. F.
Martin, Sr. also made Terz model in the
Stauffer style after coming to America. This
special guitar was acquired through the
courtesy of James Westbrook of the Guitar
Museum in East Sussex, England.

• (Vienna Stauffer-style guitar by C. F. Martin, Sr.) (1834-1835)

...
... ... collection of Peter Stego

Although C. F. Martin, Sr. ... ...
that 3... of his earlier guitars were produced
with "one sided screws" (referring to a
sloped headstock with machine tuners), this
guitar, built in 1834-35, is one of the few
known examples. The original machine tuners
were replaced with ones made in the 1850s
by John Ashborn. C. F. Martin's only major
competitor.
On loan courtesy of Peter Stego