C. F. Martin 0-15 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1955)
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Item # 10070
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C. F. Martin 0-15 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1955), made in Nazareth, PA, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back and sides and top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a moderately worn-in but nicely original, great playing and sounding 1955 Martin 0-15. This unassuming looking all-mahogany model was the lowest-ranked guitar model in the company's postwar line. Even as the least expensive guitar they offered in 1955 it was still priced at $70.00 (without case) more than many flashier guitars from other builders like Kay or Harmony.
While the 0-15 is a study in careful economy it is still built to the expected Martin factory standard of quality. The all-mahogany construction was a budget feature; the spruce top was omitted to lower the cost. The natural lacquer finish was specified as less polished out than the earlier 0-17, but structurally the guitars are the same. Decorative appointments are reduced to the minimum: there is no ornament besides a W/B/W sound hole ring, tortoise celluloid pickguard, and gold Martin logo decal. The tuners are the openback plastic-button Waverlys specific to this period.
This small-bodied all-mahogany guitar has a surprisingly loud and rich voice, and sounds great finger or flat-picked. A total of 925 of these little mahogany marvels were shipped from Nazareth in 1955; this one has seen some use but still sings with a rich and surprisingly complex voice.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This Martin shows some evidence of its over 65 years on the planet but remains a very solid player, with a bit of a natural relic look to it. There is some typical light finish checking overall and dents and scrapes most notably on the top. There is less pick wear on the face than many old Martins show, just a small area at the treble side lip of the soundhole and a few random scratches above. The finish shows dings, dents, scrapes and scratches overall, with typical wear to the unbound edges and some fairly deep dings on the top on the lower bout.
The guitar shows a tightly glued grain crack on the bass side back lower bout, extending about three inches from the lower edge. There are several tightly sealed grain cracks on the treble side rim; one at the waist, one at the apex of the lower bout and three cracks resulting from an impact near the end block. The finish remains all original with no notable touch up or overspray. The interior of the instrument is clean, with an intact original small maple bridge plate. The back of the neck is relatively clean with mostly only small dings and dents so it is quite comfortable to play. The original Waverly tuners still work fine.
The neck has been neatly reset and the original bridge has been slightly shaved down. The original frets have plenty of life left and playability remains excellent. This is also a very nice sounding guitar, built just a bit sturdier than its prewar ancestors with a deeper, mellower tone than some we have had. It includes a nice modern HSC. Excellent Condition.
This is a moderately worn-in but nicely original, great playing and sounding 1955 Martin 0-15. This unassuming looking all-mahogany model was the lowest-ranked guitar model in the company's postwar line. Even as the least expensive guitar they offered in 1955 it was still priced at $70.00 (without case) more than many flashier guitars from other builders like Kay or Harmony.
While the 0-15 is a study in careful economy it is still built to the expected Martin factory standard of quality. The all-mahogany construction was a budget feature; the spruce top was omitted to lower the cost. The natural lacquer finish was specified as less polished out than the earlier 0-17, but structurally the guitars are the same. Decorative appointments are reduced to the minimum: there is no ornament besides a W/B/W sound hole ring, tortoise celluloid pickguard, and gold Martin logo decal. The tuners are the openback plastic-button Waverlys specific to this period.
This small-bodied all-mahogany guitar has a surprisingly loud and rich voice, and sounds great finger or flat-picked. A total of 925 of these little mahogany marvels were shipped from Nazareth in 1955; this one has seen some use but still sings with a rich and surprisingly complex voice.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This Martin shows some evidence of its over 65 years on the planet but remains a very solid player, with a bit of a natural relic look to it. There is some typical light finish checking overall and dents and scrapes most notably on the top. There is less pick wear on the face than many old Martins show, just a small area at the treble side lip of the soundhole and a few random scratches above. The finish shows dings, dents, scrapes and scratches overall, with typical wear to the unbound edges and some fairly deep dings on the top on the lower bout.
The guitar shows a tightly glued grain crack on the bass side back lower bout, extending about three inches from the lower edge. There are several tightly sealed grain cracks on the treble side rim; one at the waist, one at the apex of the lower bout and three cracks resulting from an impact near the end block. The finish remains all original with no notable touch up or overspray. The interior of the instrument is clean, with an intact original small maple bridge plate. The back of the neck is relatively clean with mostly only small dings and dents so it is quite comfortable to play. The original Waverly tuners still work fine.
The neck has been neatly reset and the original bridge has been slightly shaved down. The original frets have plenty of life left and playability remains excellent. This is also a very nice sounding guitar, built just a bit sturdier than its prewar ancestors with a deeper, mellower tone than some we have had. It includes a nice modern HSC. Excellent Condition.