A guitar played by bluegrass trailblazer Doc Watson on some of his earliest recordings is up for sale via Carter Vintage Guitars.

Priced at $75,000, the 1946 Martin D-28 was owned by Ralph Rinzler—mandolinist for the Greenbriar Boys and Folkways archivist at the Smithsonian Institute—who is credited with discovering Doc Watson and convincing him to switch from electric guitar to acoustic guitar and banjo at the start of his solo career in the early ’60s. Rinzler purchased the guitar in 1959 and gave it to Watson to use on several iconic recordings.

“[This] very guitar was used by Doc Watson in the earliest recording sessions that Ralph conducted, before Doc replaced his Les Paul model with an acoustic,” Rinzler wrote in a letter accompanying the sale of the guitar in 1992, a copy of which will be provided to the buyer. “The guitar can be heard occasionally on the Folkway albums, particularly when he sang with Rosalee and two guitars were needed. The guitar was also used on [his] second Vanguard records L.P.” The listing specifies, “[We] believe he is referring to the 1965 record Doc Watson and Son.”

The description continues:

A recently surfaced photograph of Doc Watson in 1964/65 shows a ’46 D-28 that appears to match with this guitar; featuring a similar light spot in the pickguard and a significant horizontal scratch above the soundhole that the provenance letter states was the result of allowing Bill Monroe’s guitar player use it in 1963. A crack behind the bridge also seems to match up with the guitar in the photograph. The guitar was heavily played in years after, receiving a replacement ebony fretboard with snowflake inlays.

Watson’s influence continues to resonate among contemporary artists, with modern bluegrass musicians like Billy Strings frequently covering his songs. Fans have even suggested that Strings himself should acquire the historic instrument. According to the listing, the guitar is currently “on hold,” though no details about the prospective buyer have been disclosed.

For a closer look at this remarkable piece of music history, head here.