Bob Neuwirth's personally-owned and -played 1975 Martin D-41 acoustic guitar, serial no. 360767, featuring a rare 'shade top' sunburst finish and stunning abalone inlay around the soundhole and top, as well as hexagonal inlay fret markers. Per guitar expert Fredric H. Walecki: "This was one the most expensive guitars made by the Martin company, elegantly detailed with abalone heart marquetry and very unusual sunburst finish. Bobby Neuwirth accompanied Bob Dylan into Manny's Music and Dylan chose two D-41 guitars. While looking at and playing these instruments Dylan asked Bobby's opinion as to which one he liked best. One of the D-41 Martin's had the normal plain top and the other, a sunburst top which really emphasized the mother of pearl binding along the edges and top of the sound hole. When Dylan asked Bobby which he preferred, Bobby immediately advised him to buy the sunburst. Dylan bought both the sunburst and the plain top and handed the sunburst to Bobby, saying 'I'd like to give this to you, we'll use it on the Rolling Thunder Tour.'"
Neuwirth indeed played it frequently on stage while touring with the Rolling Thunder Revue, as captured in photographs by Ken Regan and Joel Bernstein. The guitar is also seen in the 'Hard Rain' concert film and in documentary footage released as part of 'Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese.' The best shots of Neuwirth playing this guitar may be in concert footage from 'Tonight I'll Be Staying Here with You,' recorded at the Montreal Forum on December 4, 1975. According to guitar tech Arthur Rosato, who managed the 36 guitars brought on the tour, it is likely that Bob Dylan played this Martin: "In those days if a guitar was laying around anyone could pick it up and play. Being that Bob and Bobby were tighter than most they probably swapped guitars on numerous occasions."
Accompanied by its brown hardshell travel case, with remnants of dozens of luggage tags tied to the handle; the case is decorated with a few luggage labels, stickers from the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, "JIMMY'Z," and Mountain Stage, and guest passes for Willie Nelson's 1987 tour and "Art Project '92."
Bob Neuwirth was a key figure in Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue, serving as a musician, collaborator, and behind-the-scenes organizer. A longtime friend of Dylan, Neuwirth (put together the band and helped) shape the freewheeling, theatrical nature of the 1975-76 tour. He performed onstage, often alongside Joan Baez and Roger McGuinn, and contributed to the spontaneous, carnival-like atmosphere. (The backdrops painted for the stage were created by Neuwirth and Dylan together) His influence extended beyond music, as he helped bring together the eclectic mix of artists, poets, and performers that defined the revue’s legendary status.
Martin D-41 Condition Report by Chris Lamy
This 1975 Marti D-41 guitar, serial number 36076, was bought and gifted by Bob Dylan to his friend, Bob Neuwirth, Dylan’s long-time collaborator, tour manager, and bandmate.
Martin introduced the D-41 model in 1969 in natural and sunburst, as the sister version to their flagship D-45 model.
With its multi-striped abalone loaded design on the Sitka Spruce top and ebony fingerboard with reduced hexagon inlays on a 20 fret Mahogany neck, the Neuwirth D-41 displays the regal looks of Matin’s top-of-the-line instruments. Solid Indian rosewood back, herringbone back-stripe inlay, and rosewood sides add to the guitar’s high-end appeal.
This 1975 D-41 has a great vintage yellowed patina, showing finish checking, pick scratches, and tiny dings throughout the finish from wear associated with age and use. The clear coat has yellowed with time. There is a slight center seam crack on the top from the bridge saddle to the end of the body, which in no way compromises the structural integrity or tone of the guitar. They are incredibly common on old Martins without needing them repaired. The pickguard shows some shrinkage from age around the edges.
The guitar is built with premium East Indian rosewood and the Sitka spruce combined with hand-carved scalloped bracing to produce rich, powerful, and complex tone. The neck is inlaid in stunning abalone pearl and still has its original gold Grover tuners. The face of the headstock is East Indian rosewood with abalone inlaid CF MARTIN.
This guitar is in great shape, considering its age and usage. The clear coat has yellowed with time with scratches, dents, and dings throughout. According to Bob Dylan’s guitar technician, “Bob Neuwirth really thrashed guitars. So did Dylan. Both in terms of pick, pick, picking and scratching the face.”
The ebony bridge, with correct string bridge pins dotted with abalone, was lifted and reglued at some point to electrify the guitar with a Piezo pickup. The end strap pin was replaced with a correct ¼” jack strap pin for plugging the guitar into an amp. The guitar works when plugged into an amp, and it sounds wonderful as-is. The antique white heel cap appears to have been drilled to accommodate a strap pin, which has since been removed.
The case is a black after-market Victoria Luggage Company with Blue lining. Its neck pocket contains some miscellaneous string pins and a nail file. Its exterior is adorned with various period radio station, band, airline, travel stickers, and remnants of dozens of luggage check-in tags affixed to the case handle.
The majority of auction proceeds from the Neuwirth archives will support the completion of 'Untitled: Bob Neuwirth Project' documentary, exploring the life of music and art creative catalyst, Bob Neuwirth.
