C. F. Martin 000-18 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1949)
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Item # 10837
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C. F. Martin 000-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1949), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 112147, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top; rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
To many players and Martin aficionados, the 000-18 has remained one of the company's most propitious and beloved combinations of wood, wire, and inspiration. The light mahogany back and sides coupled with a spruce top make for a transparent but warm and responsive guitar; the 15" wide narrow-waisted 000-size body contributes both depth and clarity to the sound. The 14-fret 000-sized instrument was introduced as the OM-18 in 1930. After 1933 nearly all Martin guitars were built in this new "Orchestra Model" format, so the OM designation was dropped and the model simply called the 000-18, one of the company's mainstays ever since.
While not a particularly expensive guitar by Martin standards, listing at $85.00 (plus case) in late 1949 (raised to $95 in early 1950) the 000-18 still represented a substantial investment to many players. This is not a flashy guitar; the trim is discreet with tortoise celluloid on the body edges and a simple multiply sound hole ring. In classic Martin style, the elegant understatement speaks for itself. Despite its lack of flash, this was always a fully professional instrument popular with radio entertainers, most obviously the country acts common in the Southeast.
This example was built right at the end of 1949, one of a total of 402 000-18s shipped that year. It incorporates typical post-war Martin style 18 features including lovely mahogany on the back and sides, a superb straight-grained spruce top, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and tortoise celluloid pickguard and body binding. The neck is mahogany with a fairly slim profile with the hint of a soft "V' mor noticeable as it heads towards the body. The fingerboard inlay is mixed size dots and the tuners are the typical post-war open back individual large-plate Klusons with metal buttons.
This 000 has seen some use but remains cleaner and more original than many from this period. It is an excellent fingerpicker's instrument but also has a lot of punch and clarity as a straight rhythm machine as well. This is a very well cared for, just 70+ year old guitar that has matured beautifully and will continue to provide exceptional sound as the years go on.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 15 3/16 in. (38.6 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 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar remains in original condition with some light typical wear and minor repair. The finish remains beautifully original; overall it has typical small dings, dents, and scrapes but nothing major. The top lacquer shows some areas of wear, mostly strumming marks on the treble side of the soundhole and around the pickguard. There is a small worn-away area on the lower sound hole rim. The back and sides show some typical scuffs and dings but again nothing major.
The top has a couple of tightly repaired cracks under the outer edge of the lower bout on the treble side. This was probably the result of an impact that also left a short series of cracks, now well sealed, on the treble side rim at the apex of the lower bout. Another short grain crack was glued and touched up about six inches away from the endpin on the bass lower bout. There are also three short grain cracks on the back, all extending from the bottom edge on either side of the tailblock, all have been tightly sealed.
The headstock area has some general wear, including an area of finish loss on the rosewood near the nut; likely the result of a strap being tied to the headstock in that position. The finish is worn away a bit on the neck and there are a few lightly feelable capo marks, press marks and small dinks. The fingerboard has been trued and refretted with period correct fretwire and the guitar is a very fine player.
The bridge appears original and mostly full-height, it has been shaved slightly at the front edge of the treble side; the bone saddle has been replaced. The thin maple bridgeplate is original and unaltered. There appears to have been a nicely done neck re-set some time back. This 000 feels superbly played in and is just a wonderful-feeling and sounding instrument, with a huge expansive sound. It is housed in a modern hard case. Excellent - Condition.
To many players and Martin aficionados, the 000-18 has remained one of the company's most propitious and beloved combinations of wood, wire, and inspiration. The light mahogany back and sides coupled with a spruce top make for a transparent but warm and responsive guitar; the 15" wide narrow-waisted 000-size body contributes both depth and clarity to the sound. The 14-fret 000-sized instrument was introduced as the OM-18 in 1930. After 1933 nearly all Martin guitars were built in this new "Orchestra Model" format, so the OM designation was dropped and the model simply called the 000-18, one of the company's mainstays ever since.
While not a particularly expensive guitar by Martin standards, listing at $85.00 (plus case) in late 1949 (raised to $95 in early 1950) the 000-18 still represented a substantial investment to many players. This is not a flashy guitar; the trim is discreet with tortoise celluloid on the body edges and a simple multiply sound hole ring. In classic Martin style, the elegant understatement speaks for itself. Despite its lack of flash, this was always a fully professional instrument popular with radio entertainers, most obviously the country acts common in the Southeast.
This example was built right at the end of 1949, one of a total of 402 000-18s shipped that year. It incorporates typical post-war Martin style 18 features including lovely mahogany on the back and sides, a superb straight-grained spruce top, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and tortoise celluloid pickguard and body binding. The neck is mahogany with a fairly slim profile with the hint of a soft "V' mor noticeable as it heads towards the body. The fingerboard inlay is mixed size dots and the tuners are the typical post-war open back individual large-plate Klusons with metal buttons.
This 000 has seen some use but remains cleaner and more original than many from this period. It is an excellent fingerpicker's instrument but also has a lot of punch and clarity as a straight rhythm machine as well. This is a very well cared for, just 70+ year old guitar that has matured beautifully and will continue to provide exceptional sound as the years go on.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 15 3/16 in. (38.6 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 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar remains in original condition with some light typical wear and minor repair. The finish remains beautifully original; overall it has typical small dings, dents, and scrapes but nothing major. The top lacquer shows some areas of wear, mostly strumming marks on the treble side of the soundhole and around the pickguard. There is a small worn-away area on the lower sound hole rim. The back and sides show some typical scuffs and dings but again nothing major.
The top has a couple of tightly repaired cracks under the outer edge of the lower bout on the treble side. This was probably the result of an impact that also left a short series of cracks, now well sealed, on the treble side rim at the apex of the lower bout. Another short grain crack was glued and touched up about six inches away from the endpin on the bass lower bout. There are also three short grain cracks on the back, all extending from the bottom edge on either side of the tailblock, all have been tightly sealed.
The headstock area has some general wear, including an area of finish loss on the rosewood near the nut; likely the result of a strap being tied to the headstock in that position. The finish is worn away a bit on the neck and there are a few lightly feelable capo marks, press marks and small dinks. The fingerboard has been trued and refretted with period correct fretwire and the guitar is a very fine player.
The bridge appears original and mostly full-height, it has been shaved slightly at the front edge of the treble side; the bone saddle has been replaced. The thin maple bridgeplate is original and unaltered. There appears to have been a nicely done neck re-set some time back. This 000 feels superbly played in and is just a wonderful-feeling and sounding instrument, with a huge expansive sound. It is housed in a modern hard case. Excellent - Condition.