This appeared in a Japanese guitar magazine. The following is FYI
Mr. Akihiko Jimbo owns two pre-war Martin D-45's, in consecutive serial numbers. He owns and operates a hotel "Hotel California" in a resort town of Kita Karuizawa in Gunma prefecture where guests are welcomed to look at, photograph, and even play these guitars.
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This guitar belonged to Red Smiley. This guitar appeared on some album jackets. The headstock sports fake diamonds, the 12th fret marker says "RED", and the 19th fret marker says "D-45". The tuning pegs are enclosed Grover. The back was replaced with a Brazilian rosewood piece from a D-28 (a different center joint). The finish shows some checking.
The guitar was purchased directly from Mrs. Smiley, via Gruhn, in 1977.
(Click on the pictures to enlarge)
This guitar belonged to David Bromberg. According to Martin's record, The 71039 was the tenth D-45 and this 71040 is the 11th D-45 produced in the pre-war era. Everything is original on this guitar, and the tuners are open-back Grovers. This guitar appeared in the Mike Longworth's "History of Martin Guitars" book.
This guitar was purchased in person from Mr David Bromberg in 1978. The finish shows some checking.
