Molly Tuttle reflects on her initial accumulation of $2,000 through busking, performing at gigs, and soliciting funds from her grandparents at Christmas, and discusses the eventual end-up of her first Martin guitar in Arizona's Musical Instrument Museum
Molly Tuttle, a renowned bluegrass guitarist, has a notable relationship with Martin acoustic guitars. This affinity for the brand is evident in her recent performances and public showcases.
Tuttle's career is closely linked to the Martin "Crooked Tree" dreadnought, a guitar designed with her input or endorsement. This model is known for its distinctive sound, suitable for bluegrass and acoustic music. It showcases Martin's craftsmanship and is associated with high-quality sound and bluegrass-style playing.
Martin guitars, with nearly 200 years of expert craftsmanship, are famed for their classic acoustic tone. The "Crooked Tree" model aligns with this tradition, featuring premium woods like Madagascar rosewood for rich tonal quality. Videos from 2025 frequently show Tuttle demonstrating or playing this Martin model, thereby associating her public image with Martin's brand and guitars.
Tuttle's journey with Martin guitars began when she saved up $2,000 to buy her first Martin HD-28V guitar. Before this, she started out on a Baby Taylor guitar and then graduated to Blueridge guitars before owning a Martin. However, financial needs led her to sell her vintage Martin guitar.
In college, Tuttle owned a vintage Martin '48 D-18 guitar. Despite its charm, she felt that she was damaging the vintage Martin due to travel and wear and tear. The vintage Martin guitar, now in the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, lacked adjustability due to the absence of a truss rod.
After selling her vintage Martin, Tuttle has been playing different guitars. However, she has a long-standing love affair with Martin guitars, as many of her favourite guitar players also use them. She describes her love for Martin guitars, attributing it to their classic tone and the rich history they represent.
Recently, Tuttle revealed her surprising guitar pick of choice. Now, she uses a custom, tour-proof Martin guitar at her shows, a testament to her enduring relationship with the brand. Despite the sale of her vintage Martin, her association with Martin acoustic guitars remains strong, aligning her career with their heritage of quality and classic tone.
Molly Tuttle, known for her bluegrass guitar skills, has a notable association with Martin acoustic guitars, especially the Martin "Crooked Tree" dreadnought, which showcases her input or endorsement. This guitar, renowned for its rich tonal quality, is an example of Martin's classic acoustic tone and craftsmanship. Tuttle's student days involved owning a vintage Martin '48 D-18 guitar, but she later sold it due to travel and wear. Despite changing guitars, Tuttle continues to express her affinity for Martin acoustic guitars, even using a custom Martin model at her shows, reflecting her enduring relationship with the brand.
