Overview
Brand name:
Product:
- electric guitars
Series name:
Variant of:
Dates of manufacture:
The Martin F-65 was made between 1962 and 1965 with around 566 made in total. The Martin F-65 was a double cutaway version of the Martin F-50 and featured a Bigsby style vibrato tailpiece, 2 DeArmond pickups, 2 volume and 2 tone controls.
According to the contributor of the photos:
"The Martin F-65 is easily one of the rarest and most beautiful guitars you will ever lay your eyes on. This particular example is more rare than most, as later models did not have the killer Bigsby vibrato and bridge, and the sunburst was lighter and redder. This is the only one I have even seen, and I have seen one photo of another in this color. I have been informed that the color was called “Tobacco Sunburst”, but have never been able to verify this. It is absolutely original and in remarkable condition for a fourty-seven year-old guitar. Guaranteed to make most every breathing player smile. Love Martin electrics or hate them, they always cause excitement. The feature set includes twin DeArmond coil pickups; Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard; two each volume and tone control knobs; three-way switch; and double cutaway Maple plywood archtop hollowbody with “f” holes. Generally considered more desirable than the similar single cutaway F-55. "
Specifications (22)
Controls
Controls material | black controls |
Number of control knobs | 4 control knobs |
Pickup selector controls | 3-way selector switch |
Tone controls | 2 tone controls |
Volume controls | 2 volume controls |
Electronics
Pickups brand and model | DeArmond Dynasonic pickup(s) |
Pickups configuration | 2 single coil pickups |
General
Finish effects | sunburst finish |
Made in | USA |
Number of strings | 6 strings |
Body
Body material | plywood body |
Body shape features | double cutaway |
Hollow body | semi-hollow body |
Pickguard shape | raised pickguard |
Soundhole | 2 f-holes |
Fretboard
Fingerboard material | rosewood fingerboard |
Fingerboard position markers | dot fingerboard position markers |
Hardware
Hardware color | chrome hardware |
Tailpiece | Bigsby Vibrato tailpiece, trapeze tailpiece |
Neck
Neck material | mahogany neck |
Number of frets | 20 fret |
Tuner layout | three-each-side |
Prices (3)
Date | Price | Condition | Name | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
1965 | $165.00 | excellent | ||
1968 | $150 | good | zowie | |
2018 | $950 | worn |
4 Comments
martin f-65
Submitted by jimmy flynn (not verified) on
I owned and photographed this particular example of the elegant Martin F-65 in 2009. I took it to Anchorage, Alaska when I went to visit my mom in the fall of that year, and it caused quite a sensation with the players in the Great White North. I sold this on eBay to a sterling gentleman in Texas who already owned all but two of the five or so models of electric Martins ever produced. I was sad to let it go, but pleased that it went to such a deserving collector. He paid me something like $2400. In my opinion, this is probably the most undervalued electric guitar you can actually get your hands on --- occasionally. If I have the opportunity to acquire another I will.
F65
Submitted by Roger Di Ciccio (not verified) on
I have a 1962 Martin F65 with Bigsby and DeArmonds, no case. If interested, email [email protected]. I was told it once belonged to Johnny Guitar Watson but there is no real good way to verify that.
Martin F65
Submitted by Mark Reda (not verified) on
I have a pristine F65 that my dad bought from Frank Martin in late 1960 it's serial number 180685 in a standard sunburst. I do agree it is a beautiful guitar
The number of F-65s stated (1
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
The number of F-65s stated (1,825) on this page is incorrect. There were 566 F-65s built from 1961-1965. Maybe the author mistakenly used the total number of F series built by Martin? Even that number is lower as there were 1,750 F serires built from 1961-1965. Here is the breakdown by model, by year:
F-50 (1961-1965): 15 - 201 - 125 - 177 - 1 = 519 F-50s
F-55 (1961-1965): 15 - 325 - 125 - 150 - 50 = 665 F-55s
F-65 (1961-1965): 15 - 250 - 101 - 125 - 75 = 566 F-65s
I hope that clears up some of the confusion regarding this classic guitar series!