In 1968, Glen was seen at several venues with a smaller 12 string Martin. His time seen with it was only during 1968. Glen typically played full-size guitars, especially when it came to 12 strings.
Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell was released on September 16, 1968. I assume the photoshoot was earlier in the same year. An evening photo captured Glen and Bobbie, each with a guitar, staring down the street at night. Bobbie had a preference for playing Martin parlor guitars. She is resting on her 50's Martin 5-18. Glen is holding a little larger Martin 12 string...or is it???
In June of 1968, Glen hosted "The Summer Brothers Smothers Show" and was using the 12 string Martin.
I have always wondered about this Martin 12 string Glen used during this period of time in '68. The tailpiece was a sure indication it had been modified. With a little help from the folks at The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum, I think I figured it out....
It seems that the Glen Campbell's 12 string started out as a 6 string Martin 00-18.
If you look closely at the head, you can see that the tuning pegs extend PAST the Martin logo, EXTREMELY CLOSE to the top of the head...indicating that a luthier squeezed three more holes on each side of the head to create a 12 string.
Adding the tailpiece to the Martin acoustic meant you didn't have to worry about string holes in the bridge - you could just slot your saddle for the 12-strings and leave the bridge in the stock position. Additionally, prior to 1968, Martin had never created a 12 string without a slotted head!
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