$2,500.00
The Martin Guitar company developed the North American Tiple (pron. Tiplay), a hybrid of Latin American instrument and Ukulele designs during the 1920s, and continued to make them through to the 2000s. This all-Mahogany Style 15 example, serial number 173451, dates from 1960. With a scale length of 43.3cm (17”), and lower bout body width of 22.5cm (9”), the ten strings are grouped 2-3-3-2, tuned like a ukulele but with octaves on the 3 lower groups.
‘Style 15’ denotes all-mahogany throughout, with Martin’s signature restrained cosmetics limited to the delicate 5-ply ring of black and white lines around the sound-hole and the traditional gold Martin logo on the headstock. With impeccable Martin construction, this tiple has a harp-like voice with rich harmonics and sustain, evoking a mix of 12-string guitar, uke and mandolin. A low action and perfect intonation, assisted by a small ivoroid nut extension, make this instrument a delight to play and to hear.
In excellent original condition with the only signs of wear being some small abrasions to the bottom edge of the lower bout and a few small marks on the lacquer of the lower back, the tiple comes with the deluxe rectangular TKL hard case shown, with internal form-fit exact to the instrument.
