Brand: Martin
Instrument Categories: Acoustic Steel String, Guitars, SOLD
The very first C. F. Martin 00018 steel string guitar appeared in 1904 with a Maple body, and was built using Mahogany for the body in small numbers until 1926, when 224 were sold. Annual production stayed in the mid-hundreds until 1972, when 650 were built.
The C. F. Martin 000-18 string guitar is closely related to the OM or Orchestra Model. They key difference is scale length; the 000 has a 24.9 inch scale length, and the OM a 25.4 inch scale.
Here we have a wonderful post-war 000-18 built during 1948 at the Martin facility in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. As an ’18’ model, it pairs a Sitka Spruce top and bracing with Mahogany for the back, sides and neck, and Rosewood – during this period sourced from Brazil – for the head plate, fingerboard, and bridge.
This Martin 00018 guitar is in good working order and has had its necessary repair – a neck reset – already done. The bracing and bridge plate are in good shape, but it appears that the bridge was shaved slightly at some point.
The finish is original and has expected play wear but is in quite good shape for its age.
These rare instruments still play well and have a great, lively sound. This particular example is quite light, and the 000 size body is comfortable and produces a very even tonal profile, with good representation throughout the harmonic range.
A non-original soft case is included.
- Model: 000-18
- Year: 1948
- Finish Gloss
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 106737
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 07/05/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including Soft case
- Instrument Weight: 3.6lbs 1.62kg
- Scale Length: 24.9in 632.5mm
- Nut Width: 1.692in 43mm