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 MARTIN |
| INSTRUMENTS BUILT FOR OTHER TRADEMARKS (BRAND NAMES) |
| Martin did build guitars for other retailers, teachers, and musical instrument distributors; unlike Harmony's or Kay's house brands, though, "retitled" Martins were the exception and not the rule. If any of these trademarks are spotted, here's a partial hint to origin: Bacon Banjo Company: Around 1924, Martin supplied a number of guitars without Martin stamps or labels. However, most of the Bacon-trademarked guitars were built by Regal (Chicago, Illinois). Belltone: Only a few Style 3K guitars, mandolins, and ukuleles were built for the Perlburg and Halpin company of New York City, New York. Bitting Special: Both guitars and mandolins were built for this well-known music teacher in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania between 1916 and 1919. Briggs Special: Sixty-five specially trimmed mandolin models were built for the Briggs Music shop in Utica, New York circa 1914 to 1919. C. Bruno: Long before they were acquired by Kaman Music, C. Bruno was associated with C.F. Martin in 1838. Guitars carry a paper label that says "C.F. Martin & Bruno." Later C. Bruno & Sons guitars were not built by Martin. William Foden: Concert guitarist and teacher William Foden had his own series of Foden Specials built by Martin. These models were primarily sold to his students between 1900 and 1920. Foden's insistence on a twenty-fret fingerboard is now a standard feature on Martin guitars. J.A. Handley: J.A. Handley was an instructor in Lowell, Massachusetts. He is credited with the developement of the Style 6A mandolin. Jenkins: This dealer in Kansas City, Missouri sold Martin ukuleles, renumbered #35 (Style 1) and #40 (Style 2). Montgomery Ward: Martin had a short term deal with the Montgomery Ward company circa 1932. Martin supplied mahogany guitars, flat mandolins, and ukuleles. Vahdah Olcott-Bickford: Vahdah Olcott-Bickford was a well-known concert artist and teacher. Guitars built to her specifications were called a Style 44, or Soloist. Paramount: Paramount ordered about thirty special resonator models under the Paramount logo. Paramount was well known for their banjo models, which were not Martin instruments. Rolando: The Rolando trademark shows up on a series of Martin-built koa Hawaiian-style guitars ordered by the Southern California Music Company (circa 1917-1920). Records also show a direct sale to J.J. Milligan Music. Rudick's: The Rudick's firm of Akron, Ohio ordered a number of OO-17 guitars with the number O-55 stamped inside (circa 1935). William J. Smith: The William J. Smith firm of New York City, New York had Martin-built ukuleles, taro patches and tiples in stock circa 1917. Stetson: W.J. Dyer & Bro., known for their association with Larson Brothers acoustics, also specified three guitars for their Stetson trademark circa 1922. S.S. Stewart: Distributors Buegeleisen and Jacobson of New York City, New York ordered ukuleles and other stringed instruments with their S.S. Stewart label circa 1923 to 1925. John Wanamaker: The Wanamaker department store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ordered special models circa 1909. H.A. Weymann & Son: The Weymann firm of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was known for their banjos; Martin built a number of ukuleles and taro patches models around 1925. Wolverine: The Wolverine trademark was applied to Martin-built guitars and mandolins for the Grinnell Brothers of Detroit, Michigan. Wolverine instruments carry the regular Martin serial numbers. Rudolph Wurlitzer: The Wurlitzer music store chain ordered special model guitars between 1922 and 1924. Information on "Retitled" Martin instruments courtesy: Mike Longworth, Martin Guitars: A History; Walter Carter, The Martin Book: A Complete History of Martin Guitars, and Tom Wheeler, American Guitars. |