Butch Fulton, a man from East Texas, has been reunited with his beloved 1981 Martin D-35 guitar, which he had bought at the age of 18. After nearly 40 years apart, the guitar is finally back in his hands.
Fulton’s guitar was stolen in 1985 during a move he and his wife were making. Over the years, he searched countless pawn shops, music stores, and flea markets around the world. Recently, he spotted the guitar on Facebook Marketplace and immediately recognized two key features.
The first detail that caught his eye was a line of clear nail polish on the top of the headstock. He had applied it as a teenager to protect the wood after accidentally dropping and scratching the guitar at church. The second detail was the guitar’s serial number, which also stood out to Fulton.
“The very first picture that popped up was a guitar, and it said 1981 Martin D-35, one family owner, then it had 4306 as the serial number, and I went ‘oh crap, I just found my guitar!’” said Fulton.
He added, “I could get Alzheimer’s, can’t remember my name, but you ask me what’s the serial number: 434306.”
Both the guitar and its case were returned to Fulton in pristine condition. He believes the 40-year wait is no coincidence and credits his return to faith and religion for the reunion.
“A little over three years ago, I quit playing honky-tonks and what I call lovin’, leavin’, cheatin’ and drinkin’ songs. I backed off and started playing gospel music again,” he explained.
Fulton reflects, “Just like Moses and them when they were walking through the desert, their shoes didn’t wear out for 40 years, their clothes didn’t wear out for 40 years. So, he said, ‘so your guitar didn’t wear out for 40 years,’ and I said, ‘no, I guess not.’”
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