C. F. Martin 00-18C Classical Guitar (1965)
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C. F. Martin 00-18C Model Classical Guitar (1965), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 203498, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This nice-playing "C" model 00-18 guitar was the brainchild of Martin's noting the early 1960s Folk market's seemingly insatiable appetite for easy-to-play nylon string guitars. Many aspiring players of the time were not comfortable with steel-string guitars but wanted a genuine Martin, so the company created this hybrid of a 12-fret 00 model and a classical guitar that bridges the gap nicely. 1965 was the fourth production year for the model, with 425 sold at $215, plus case.
The 00-18C is built with Martin's traditional materials: mahogany back, sides and neck and a spruce top. It uses the traditional 19th century Martin 12-fret body shape and headstock, but internally is a delicately fan-braced like a classical guitar. This style Martin is not well remembered now, but was popular at the time with amateur and even some professional folk players strumming in the "Hoots" of the '60s. This is a lovely and sweet-sounding guitar that deserves a better reputation than it often gets, neither "fish nor fowl" perhaps to many modern players but an appealing creation nonetheless.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/16 in. (10.3 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).
This guitar shows some general play wear, appearing used but not abused. The original lacquer finish shows average wear overall, heaviest on the top with dings, dents, and scrapes, most notably pick and fingernail wear to the spot where there would be a pickguard on a "normal' Martin, as well as strumming marks above the soundhole. The back of the neck is relatively clean with some chipping to the finish along the edges of the fingerboard. There is a small tight grain split just below kerfing along the waist on the bass side, which does not appear to extend to the interior. The guitar appears all original with no visible alterations; the original bridge, braces and bridgeplate are all still intact.
This is a pleasant-playing and very nice sounding guitar, and while unlikely to challenge anyone's Ramirez in an actual concert hall performs quite well as intended. It makes for a very good knock-around nylon string, a useful studio tool for the non-classical player who needs that sound now and then and a lovely "Folk" instrument for voice accompaniment of solo playing in the original 1960s mode. One could always add a Baldwin pickup and pursue dreams of Willie Nelson too, but we think it sounds lovely as it is! Overall Very Good + Condition.
This nice-playing "C" model 00-18 guitar was the brainchild of Martin's noting the early 1960s Folk market's seemingly insatiable appetite for easy-to-play nylon string guitars. Many aspiring players of the time were not comfortable with steel-string guitars but wanted a genuine Martin, so the company created this hybrid of a 12-fret 00 model and a classical guitar that bridges the gap nicely. 1965 was the fourth production year for the model, with 425 sold at $215, plus case.
The 00-18C is built with Martin's traditional materials: mahogany back, sides and neck and a spruce top. It uses the traditional 19th century Martin 12-fret body shape and headstock, but internally is a delicately fan-braced like a classical guitar. This style Martin is not well remembered now, but was popular at the time with amateur and even some professional folk players strumming in the "Hoots" of the '60s. This is a lovely and sweet-sounding guitar that deserves a better reputation than it often gets, neither "fish nor fowl" perhaps to many modern players but an appealing creation nonetheless.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/16 in. (10.3 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).
This guitar shows some general play wear, appearing used but not abused. The original lacquer finish shows average wear overall, heaviest on the top with dings, dents, and scrapes, most notably pick and fingernail wear to the spot where there would be a pickguard on a "normal' Martin, as well as strumming marks above the soundhole. The back of the neck is relatively clean with some chipping to the finish along the edges of the fingerboard. There is a small tight grain split just below kerfing along the waist on the bass side, which does not appear to extend to the interior. The guitar appears all original with no visible alterations; the original bridge, braces and bridgeplate are all still intact.
This is a pleasant-playing and very nice sounding guitar, and while unlikely to challenge anyone's Ramirez in an actual concert hall performs quite well as intended. It makes for a very good knock-around nylon string, a useful studio tool for the non-classical player who needs that sound now and then and a lovely "Folk" instrument for voice accompaniment of solo playing in the original 1960s mode. One could always add a Baldwin pickup and pursue dreams of Willie Nelson too, but we think it sounds lovely as it is! Overall Very Good + Condition.