Kentucky Vintage Guitars

Here's one that's different! A custom made guitar from 1976. Extensive abalone trim and thick binding. Indian Rosewood. The current neck was actually recently made by another luthier. 1 3/4 nut width.. Little dip on top above sound hole but this guitar plays quite easy and sounds pretty good. Not quite dreadnaught size. Bolt on neck from inside. A little quirky but it's different, plays and...

Luthiers Choice Brazilian AJ with a big robust sound. Some minor nicks and scrapes. One area of checking on lower waist but doesn't go through, checking only. Big sound! Original case.

ON HOLD. Very nice condition and great sounding Mystery Top! Some finish work down on lower side of top. Nice reddish orange Brazilian on back. This guitar has some really good clarity and sustain. Reset and refret. Original bridgeplate has seen some repair and is stable.newer pickguard. Cool original case.

I've actually heard more really great sounding J-50's from the early 50's than J-45's. Did they use better wood and the J-50's I ask you? This one has some very nice and unusual cross grain, looks almost flamey from side. This guitar had a pickup which was removed. Jack plugged in side. Strap pin hole plugged in side as well. 2 screws behind bridge that served what purpose? Removed and plugged....

Original finish with rectangle bridge. Lots of checking. Nice dry sound. Reset and refret. Some braces recently reglued. Nice golden sunburst. Comes with a Hoffee case!!

When I first strummed this guitar, I thought it was unusually good for the period. After playing it more and doing some research , records show that Martin has some German Spruce they were using at the time. There were 11 batches in 1960. I'm pretty sure this came from one of those. Just one crack repaired on waist. Not a ton of saddle but ok for now for most people I believe. Non original case

Great sounding war time D-18 with a neck reset and refret. Ebony rod. This cool guitar has a few side gouges and a couple of repaired heel cracks. One top crack on lower bout and 2 back cracks, all repaired. It's one of the best 44's I've heard. Do yourself a favor and check it out! Non original case.

Most agree that 1937 was a special year for Pre-War Martins and this fat neck baby sounds amazing! Top finish is original and the back was refinished by TJ Thompson. Couple of repaired top cracks. Bridgeplate is a tad wider and thicker than the original. Nevertheless, this is still a killer sounding box! Reset, refret and replaced nut. Non original case.

Probably an old factory total refin makes this great sounding beast a little more affordable in today’s hot Pre-War market. Newer decal. Some recent work done by the great John Arnold makes this one a real contender for anyone wanting to jump in but not all the way in! Reset and refret. Thin shim under fingerboard extension. One sealed pickguard crack. Some pretty convincing checking on back in a...

Cool retro looking decals set this Bad Boy off! The guitar has a great feeling neck with some good depth. Reset, refret and changed bridge. Original bridgeplates holes have been replugged. This one has an ebony rod. I set up at this year bluegrass event SPBGMA in Nashville this last weekend and one hot picker said this was his favorite guitar in the room! I'm just tell You what he told Me!! A few...

This is a Very nice condition tapered braced 1945 D-18. The story I got ,this one came out from under the bed at a yard sale! No... I wasn't the guy!!! It even had the original saddle on it when I got it. Since then I had the neck reset with a new saddle and a refret. One hard to see repaired crack on side. Looks like a scratch. I've had a tough time with this one trying to determine if the top...

Rare version J-55 with a factory J-35! I owned a similar one a few years ago that also had the bigger Cromwell style dot inlay. This one has 2 unscalloped tone bars and a great color. The neck and headstock have been refinished and aged but.... look original! ( just leave your blacklight in your drawer!) Some overspray on top and lower bouts on top. The saddle was relocated closer to the front of...

I recently got this great guitar from a very well known Luthier who had owned it a great many years and really hated to part with it... and I can see why! When I bought it , it had medium strings (that were shot) on it and tuned down a half step and the sound was glorious! I didn't even want to change the bad strings! Well finally I did, and decided it needed a refret ( done by Judge Wolfe). 2...

Nice and clean example with no cracks! Neck reset, refret and changed replica bridge. 3 unscalloped tone bars and a fat V neck. Cuts like a knife! The original owner added a rhinestone on the dot of the i on logo. So just think, you could be a 'Rhinestone Cowboy'! Older 40's case with some Army stencil. Just a very nice condition as well as nice sounding instrument!