This one-of-a-kind guitar is a 1977 prototype of a Martin M-38, previously owned from new by the late British guitarist John Pearse.
This guitar was built as a prototype for a new model at the time, the M-38, which Martin later renamed the 0000 model due to its size offering the depth of an OM but with a bigger 16" lower bout width.
The guitar was built in 1977 and was in John Pearse's possession until his death in 2008. The guitar was subsequently sold at auction by John Pearse's estate, and the guitar includes provenance in the form of a certificate of authenticity from John's estate.
The guitar itself features Indian rosewood for the back and sides paired with a Sitka spruce top. The mahogany neck is topped by an ebony fretboard, while the bridge is also ebony. The guitar's headstock has an Indian rosewood overlay, and is decorated with an unusual Mother of Pearl inlayed CF Martin & Co logo.
The guitar was documented on page 74 of the book Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference by R Johnston & Dick Boat published in 2009.
As well as a certificate of authenticity, the guitar includes the original owner's card made out to John Pearse, plus a copy of the John Pearse vinyl LP 'Blues, Rags and Raga' plus the original Martin hard shell case.
The guitar underwent a neck reset in 2025 and is ready to offer many more years of happy playing to its next owner.
- Brand: Martin
- Model: M-38 (0000)
- Year: 1977
- Serial Number: 389327
- Condition: Excellent
- Top: Sitka spruce
- Back & Sides: Indian rosewood
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- Nut Width: 1 11/16"
- Tuners: Original
- Headstock: Indian rosewood overlay with Mother of Pearl CF Martin & Co logo
- Case: Original hard shell case
- Accessories: John Pearse estate certificate of authenticity, original owners' card, John Pearse 'Blues, Rags & Raga' vinyl LP, photocopy of page 74 Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference, R Johnston & Dick Boat, 2009 which documents the guitar.
