Brand: Martin
Instrument Categories: Acoustic Steel String, Guitars, SOLD
The C F Martin 00-18 steel string guitar has its origins in 1898, and was originally built with Rosewood back and sides until 1917, and braced for gut strings until 1923. It stayed in production until 1995, and was brought back online in 2016 with the occasional custom shop or signature model made available in the in-between time.
In the form we’re most familiar with, the Martin 00-18 steel string guitar uses Martin’s smaller ’00’ sized body, using Sitka Spruce top and braces paired with Mahogany for the sides, back, 14-fret neck, and body blocks. The fingerboard, bridge and headplate are Rosewood, and at the time this guitar was built, that means Brazilian Rosewood.
This C F Martin 00-18 model is very responsive and expressive, and has a tonal balance that the larger D bodies can lack. They are are ideal for fingerstyle playing, with a lot of high end shimmer but still full sounding; they tend to not be as loud as the larger bodied models. The shorter 24.9 inch scale length and the smaller bodies make this great for those of us who are not particularly tall – and very comfortable for sitting and playing.
This Martin 00-18 steel string guitar dates to 1962 and has had its major service – the neck reset, bridge sub plate and setup required on virtually all guitars of a certain age – performed at The Twelfth Fret Repair Shop. It plays well and cleanly, with a very comfortable action. As expected for a 55 year old guitar that’s been used as intended, there is some wear. The finish shows a number of dings, dents and scuffs, there is some finger wear to the top between the pickguard and the bridge, and the edges of the headstock have been bumped a bit. It’s all honest wear from real use.
A hard shell case is included.
- Model: 00-18
- Year: 1962
- Finish Gloss
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 186140
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 13/05/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 3.652lbs 1.66kg
- Scale Length: 24.9in 632.5mm
- Nut Width: 1.69in 43mm
