Proud To Be Showing Our Age

Featured Inventory Archives 1999-2012

Gruhn Guitars Carter Cash

The Carter-Cash Connection


Joe Carter (1927-2005), right, son of A.P. and Sara Carter of the legendary Carter Family, was a performer in his own right. He played frequently at the Carter Fold, a venue in the family's home area of western Virginia. The extended Carter Family included country superstar Johnny Cash, left, who married Joe's first cousin June Carter.



Gruhn Guitars is pleased to offer guitars representing these two important families of country music:

Joe's D-42JC (AA7028). In 1998 Johnny Cash presented Joe with one of Cash's limited edition D-42JC Martin signature models. This instrument is in near mint condition and comes with the original invoice from Martin showing it ordered by the House of Cash for delivery to Joe Carter. It also comes with a collection of memorabilia, including programs from the funerals of Joe, John and June, a copy of Life magazine featuring the Carters, and the photos listed below. SOLD.

Photos...
Joe playing this guitar onstage
Autographed photo to Joe from Johnny Cash
Autographed photo to Joe from June Carter Cash
Joe onstage with his aunt Maybelle


The guitar...
Full view
Close of body
Soundhole area
Headstock
Back of headstock
Back of neck
Back of body
Back view


Joe's Vines (AM5917). Joe Carter also had a close relationship with Tennessee luthier Tony Vines, who created a Joe Carter signature model. This instrument was Joe's personal guitar. It features back and sides of mulberry wood. It comes with a photo of Joe with Tony Vines, a photo of Johnny Cash playing a Vines guitar (a 000-size mulberry model) and a newspaper article showing Cash with a Vines guitar. With original hard case it is offered now at $5000.

This instrument is SOLD

Full view
Close of body
Fingerboard
Headstock
Back of headstock
Back of neck
Back view
Back of body


John's D-35 (AA7022). Before Martin produced Cash's limited-edition D-42 in 1997, Cash favored D-35s. In 1977 Cash co-starred with Bo Hopkins in the movie Thaddeus Rose and Eddie, and he presented this sunburst D-35 to Hopkins, documenting it with a letter and with his signature scratched into the back of the guitar. This instrument (inv. #AA7022) is in VG+ condition and comes with the framed letter and a photo of Cash with this guitar. SOLD.

This instrument is SOLD