C. F. Martin 0-15 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1950)
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Item # 9646
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C. F. Martin 0-15 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1950), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 113149, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back and sides and top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown chipboard case.
This is a beautifully original, great playing and sounding Martin 0-15 from 1950. This unassuming looking all-mahogany guitar was the lowest-ranked model in Martin's postwar guitar line. Even as the least expensive guitar they offered 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. Priced at the time for $50.00 (without case) the 0-15 still cost more than many flashier guitars from other builders.
The 0-15 is a study in careful economy. 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 large-plate Klusons with plastic buttons specific to this period.
This small-bodied all-mahogany guitar has a surprisingly loud and rich voice, and sounds great finger or flat-picked. This was a popular model at the time, and still is today. A total of 700 of these little mahogany marvels were shipped from Nazareth in 1950; this one has seen some use but plays perfectly and 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 70 years on the planet but remains a very solid player. There is some moderate finish checking overall, most notably on the top. There is very little pick wear on the face, just some small dings and dents. The finish over the rest of the instrument shows light dings, dents and scrapes as well, with some typical wear to the unbound edges.
The guitar shows no cracks or visible repairs, and the finish remains all original with no notable touch up or overspray. The back of the neck is unusually clean with minimal finish loss, only a few small dings and dents so it is quite comfortable to play. There are new buttons on the original Kluson tuners.
The neck has been neatly reset and the original full-height bridge, cleanly reglued, is still intact with a new bone saddle. The original small maple bridge plate has survived. The guitar has received a fresh re-fret with period-correct fretwire, the fingerboard has been leveled and playability is excellent. This is a very nice sounding guitar, built just a bit sturdier than its prewar ancestors with a lively tone and plenty of old-school ring. It still resides in the original blue-lined tan chipboard case which remains surprisingly functional. Excellent - Condition.
This is a beautifully original, great playing and sounding Martin 0-15 from 1950. This unassuming looking all-mahogany guitar was the lowest-ranked model in Martin's postwar guitar line. Even as the least expensive guitar they offered 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. Priced at the time for $50.00 (without case) the 0-15 still cost more than many flashier guitars from other builders.
The 0-15 is a study in careful economy. 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 large-plate Klusons with plastic buttons specific to this period.
This small-bodied all-mahogany guitar has a surprisingly loud and rich voice, and sounds great finger or flat-picked. This was a popular model at the time, and still is today. A total of 700 of these little mahogany marvels were shipped from Nazareth in 1950; this one has seen some use but plays perfectly and 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 70 years on the planet but remains a very solid player. There is some moderate finish checking overall, most notably on the top. There is very little pick wear on the face, just some small dings and dents. The finish over the rest of the instrument shows light dings, dents and scrapes as well, with some typical wear to the unbound edges.
The guitar shows no cracks or visible repairs, and the finish remains all original with no notable touch up or overspray. The back of the neck is unusually clean with minimal finish loss, only a few small dings and dents so it is quite comfortable to play. There are new buttons on the original Kluson tuners.
The neck has been neatly reset and the original full-height bridge, cleanly reglued, is still intact with a new bone saddle. The original small maple bridge plate has survived. The guitar has received a fresh re-fret with period-correct fretwire, the fingerboard has been leveled and playability is excellent. This is a very nice sounding guitar, built just a bit sturdier than its prewar ancestors with a lively tone and plenty of old-school ring. It still resides in the original blue-lined tan chipboard case which remains surprisingly functional. Excellent - Condition.