Molly Tuttle recounts amassing a $2,000 fund through busking, performances, and Requesting finances from her grandparents during Christmases; she further discusses the fate of her initial Martin guitar, now housed in Arizona's Musical Instrument Museum.
Molly Tuttle, the acclaimed bluegrass artist, has a long-standing love affair with the acoustic guitar brand Martin. From her early days as a kid to her current career, Tuttle's connection with Martin has evolved significantly.
As a child, Tuttle bought her first nice guitar, a Martin, which she later sold to her aunt. This initial encounter ignited a lifelong fascination with the brand, as she coveted Martin guitars due to their association with her favourite guitar players.
Tuttle's first Martin guitar, a '48 D-18, is now housed in the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. However, financial needs led her to sell this vintage Martin, a decision that marked a temporary departure from the brand.
During this period, Tuttle started out playing on a Baby Taylor guitar and then graduated to Blueridge guitars. But her aspiration to own a Martin guitar never waned, and she saved up $2,000 to buy a Martin HD-28V guitar.
Tuttle's vintage Martin did not have an easy way to adjust the action because it lacked a truss rod. This posed challenges during her tours, but she toured with the guitar for a while before deciding to sell it as well.
Fortunately, Tuttle's luck turned when she met a woman who works with Martin, who offered her another Martin guitar. This renewed opportunity allowed Tuttle to rekindle her relationship with the brand that she holds dear.
Since then, Tuttle has been playing different guitars. However, she now has a custom, tour-proof Martin guitar that she uses at her shows. This custom model reflects her style and technical preferences as a bluegrass artist, marking a progression from earlier standard models to a signature or custom edition.
Tuttle's distinctive bluegrass-based sound is also attributed to her unique guitar pick choice. Her use of Martin guitars, particularly the Martin "Crooked Tree" dreadnought, has been featured in demos and promotions, underscoring an ongoing partnership that likely evolved as her career grew.
In conclusion, Molly Tuttle's journey with Martin acoustic guitars reflects moving from early use of their well-regarded models to becoming a featured artist with custom instruments tailored to her musical style and needs. Her story serves as an inspiring testament to the power of passion and perseverance in the pursuit of one's dreams.
Tuttle, inspired by her favorite guitar players, developed a long-standing fascination with Martin guitars. Despite selling her first Martin for financial reasons, she never wavered in her aspiration to own another one. After a period with Blueridge guitars, Tuttle saved up to buy a Martin HD-28V guitar. Later, a generous offer from a Martin employee provided Tuttle with a new Martin guitar, reigniting her relationship with the brand she admires. Today, Tuttle uses a custom Martin guitar on stage and has been showcased using Martin guitars, such as the "Crooked Tree" dreadnought, in promotions, marking a significant milestone in her career.
