1959 Martin 00-18E steel string acoustic

This is a pretty rare, 1959 Martin 00-18E steel string acoustic. The 00-18E was built from 1959 to 1964, in response to the quest for volume, and this is one of the first. It uses the 00 style body, with the 18 construction – spruce top, mahogany back and sides – but the top is thicker and uses heavier bracing. This is mostly for feedback rejection, but also because the deArmond pickup and controls are fairly heavy. The Gibson equivalent, the J-160E, used the same heavier-construction approach, but with a laminate top. It is strung with ‘steel’ strings because the deArmond is a magnetic pickup. This early example has been used as it was supposed to be, and has a lot of life left in it. It’s a great little guitar with a ton of character.

Serial Number – 169093, built during 1959 in Nazareth, Pennsilvania, USA.
Pricing – $2,499.99 CAD with newer case.
Neck – Mahogany neck with unbound rosewood fingerboard.
Frets – Moderate wear, the guitar was professionaly refretted at some point.
Body – 00-18 size body with spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Rosewood bridge.
Finish – Original finish with lots of honest play wear.
Hardware/electronics – Original hardware, except for accurate tuner copies; the original tuners are in the case. Original deArmond pickup, pots and knobs. Bone nut and saddle. A pair of small bolts have been added through the bridge to help secure it, with pearl dots on top.
Playability/Action – Plays well, and has lots of life left in it.
Case – Newer hardshell case included.