Vintage Martin Spruce Top R&D Baritone goodness:)

teninobob · Jun 15, 2021

I picked this up yesterday, the gentleman told me he contacted someone at martin and he said it was old, it is a research and development baritone. Stunning abalone binding and fret markers, tortoise shell, sounds amazing , if anyone has seen one like it let me know

teninobob · Jun 15, 2021

Dang, I need to figure out how to do photos lol

Patrick Madsen · Jun 15, 2021

I had the privilege of playing it a number of times Bob. Congratulations, it's a fine instrument bought from a dedicated person who always ensures his instruments are in top condition. You hit the jackpot on this one.

teninobob · Jun 16, 2021

Oh I know I absolutely love it. Was hoping to have lunch with Ron at the lemon grass it’s closed on Tuesdays lol. It is beautiful and an absolute dream to play.

Cubeistan · Jun 16, 2021

teninobob said:
Oh I know I absolutely love it. Was hoping to have lunch with Ron at the lemon grass it’s closed on Tuesdays lol. It is beautiful and an absolute dream to play.

@ Pat, Thank you for the kind words!

Bob, so glad it found a great home. Walsh & King book, The Martin Ukulele pg169, shows two custom circa 80's, models. One a "Custom Spruce Top Baritone" w the CF Martin 1833 lettering, the other a "Custom 5K Baritone" w Koa top, abalone/MoP inlaid design on the headstock, bound fretboard and different inlay designs in the usual frets. The R&D appears top be a mashup of the Spruce top and regular fret dots of the one and the MoP of the 5K.

P.S. Pg. 168 shows a "Custom Koa Baritone', headstock CF Martin lettering, unbound, no MoP.

jer · Jun 16, 2021

Very nice! I didn't know those even existed.

teninobob · Jun 17, 2021

Thank you for the heads up on the book just bought it

I love Amazon

teninobob · Jun 20, 2021

Cubeistan said:
@ Pat, Thank you for the kind words!

Bob, so glad it found a great home. Walsh & King book, The Martin Ukulele pg169, shows two custom circa 80's, models. One a "Custom Spruce Top Baritone" w the CF Martin 1833 lettering, the other a "Custom 5K Baritone" w Koa top, abalone/MoP inlaid design on the headstock, bound fretboard and different inlay designs in the usual frets. The R&D appears top be a mashup of the Spruce top and regular fret dots of the one and the MoP of the 5K.

P.S. Pg. 168 shows a "Custom Koa Baritone', headstock CF Martin lettering, unbound, no MoP.

I just received the book I do not think this ukulele I have Is either of those two

Vintage Martin Spruce Top R&D Baritone goodness:)

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