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Rory Gallagher: A Martin Mandolin, 1942, 24 1/2in (62cm) long image 1
Rory Gallagher: A Martin Mandolin, 1942, 24 1/2in (62cm) long image 2
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Rory Gallagher: A Martin Mandolin, 1942, 24 1/2in (62cm) long image 5
Rory Gallagher: A Martin Mandolin, 1942, 24 1/2in (62cm) long image 6
Lot 3

Rory Gallagher: A Martin Mandolin, 1942,
24 1/2in (62cm) long

17 October 2024, 15:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £51,200 inc. premium

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Rory Gallagher: A Martin Mandolin,

Serial no. A-17296 stamped inside, Style A, sunburst finish, mahogany back and sides, spruce top, oval soundhole with pickguard either side, Ibanez pickup mounted at bridge, ebony fingerboard with dot markers, solid guitar-style headstock with logo and four-a-side ivorine tuners, in flight case with Rory Gallagher Band stencils,

Footnotes

This is Rory's Martin Mandolin which he would famously play for live performances of the song 'Going To My Hometown'.

"It's a small folk-size mandolin but it joins at the 14th fret. It's got a mahogany finish and I have an Ibanez pick-up underneath the strings between the soundhole and the bridge. It works best there for me. It's got an extra pickguard on top because I was wearing it away too quickly. I was putting Gaffa (sic) tape on and it was getting a bit rough and ready looking. I just use standard mandolin strings."
- Rory Gallagher, International Musician, 1977.

Live Performance
Rory Gallagher, 'Going To My Hometown', from 'Irish Tour', January 1974, Track 5. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjj05_PDFjg

Literature
Eamonn Percival, 'Rory Gallagher', International Musician, April 1977.

Martin:
Martin mandolins are highly regarded for their craftsmanship and historical significance in the world of stringed instruments. While Martin is primarily known for its guitars, the company's mandolins, made predominantly between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, hold a special place among collectors and musicians. These mandolins are celebrated for their meticulous construction, featuring fine tonewoods and elegant detailing. Martin's mandolins, particularly the flat-backed models, offer a warm, balanced tone that appeals to players of folk, bluegrass and classical music.

Bonhams would like to thank Martin Guitars for their assistance in the research for this lot.

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