1934 Martin C-1 Pre-War Vintage Archtop Acoustic Guitar Shaded Top w/ Case

Up for sale, a 1934 Martin C-1 Pre-War archtop acoustic guitar, well-maintained and retaining its original nitro lacquer finish. Sharing dimensions with a 000, the C-1 is the second iteration of this model, with the F-hole version supplanting the original round soundhole circa '33. Tonewoods include an arched Adirondack spruce top paired with mahogany rims and a flat mahogany back. The one-piece mahogany neck has a deep V profile carve, capped with an ebony fingerboard. Distinct in its tonal profile, this Martin has a dry, percussive cut and warm, pronounced midrange chop. Chords are equal parts warm and crisp, and the guitar has a high volume ceiling, with wound strings that stay focused and clear. There’s a sweet, subtle growl just below the surface, and notes have equal presence and clarity across all strings and in all registers. The guitar weighs 4lbs 7oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with fresh 12-53 bronze strings and comfortable action. The mahogany neck has a deep V-shaped profile carve, measuring .855" deep at the 1st fret and 1.070" at the 9th. The ebony fretboard has ostensibly been refretted in its lifetime, and the frets have a slender vintage-spec width, showing deep grooves beneath the plain strings on frets 1-3 and fainter wear extending to fret 5. The neck is straight, and the guitar plays cleanly up the 24.9" scale. The original carved bone nut measures 1 3/4" in width, and the headstock retains the original Grover open-gear nickel-plated tuners with butterbean buttons. The body features a replacement ebony bridge with a compensated saddle for ideal intonation, and the original nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece is present, with "Martin" script text on the hinge. The top has an excellent arch with no sinking. The original nitro lacquer gloss is present on the body, more muted in its appearance on top with tight, prominent lacquer checking, and more glossy on the back and sides. There’s a very small crack repair and area of touchup on the bass-side rim at the waist, and one additional touched-up back crack, also at the bass-side waist. Prominent strum wear extends across the pick path, with buckle rash central to the lower bout on the back, and various dings and scuffs across the body from honest use. This wear is most concentrated on the lower bout on the back and treble-side lower bout rim. The finish is worn completely from the neck profile, and there is some chipped mahogany and wear on the top back headstock edge. A modern black tolex hardshell case with functional latches and a replacement makeshift handle is included.