C. F. Martin 000-18 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1965)

C. F. Martin  000-18 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar  (1965)
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Item # 9951
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C. F. Martin 000-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1965), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 203729, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, black tolex hard shell case.

This is a great sounding 000-18 from the "guitar boom" era, with a feel still more like the older 1950's Martins than the more heavily built '70's instruments to come. The top still has old-style tortoise celluloid pickguard and binding, replaced by black acetate soon after. Other typical features include the old-style long-saddle rosewood bridge, Grover Sta-Tite tuners with hexagonal bushings and a typical '60's rounded-edge peghead.

To many players and Martin fans, the 000-18 has always been one of the company's most propitious and beloved combinations of wood, wire, and inspiration. The mahogany back and sides coupled with a spruce top makes for a transparent but warm and responsive guitar; the 15" wide narrow-waisted 000-size body contributes both depth and clarity to the sound.

By '60s standards the 000-18 was a fairly expensive guitar listing at $200.00 (plus case) by early 1965. This represented a substantial investment to many players as the increasingly popular D-18 could be had for only $25 more. This example was built in the first quarter that year, one of 400 shipped the up-to-then peak production year for the model. Still, the D-18 sold over 1133 units that same year, making this 000 something of a rarity by comparison. With 50+ years of ageing this is an excellent fingerpicker's instrument but also has plenty of punch and clarity as a straight rhythm machine as well.
 
Overall length is 39 7/8 in. (101.3 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 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

This mahogany 000 remains nicely original and an excellent player, with a recent neckset and a new bridge and saddle. There are no alterations and just the typical maintenance repairs. The finish is nicely aged, deeply ambered, but does not show excessive wear. There are some pick marks to the top, centered in the area just in front of the pickguard. The heaviest wear is to the top edge of the soundhole rim, which has been worn down a bit into the wood. The finish on the back and sides shows some wear, with a few press marks and some light buckle rash in the center of the back. The back of the neck is very clean.

The guitar is crack free, which is delightful on a 55+ year old Martin. The original small maple bridgeplate is intact, and the bridge has been carefully replaced with a bridge matching the footprint and contours of the original. The headstock is clean as well, though someone glued a small paper cutout of a bird just below the Martin decal. Well past its 55th birthday this guitar feels and sounds even "older" than it actually is, with a nice dry but still mellow ring reminiscent of 1950's mahogany 000's. A sweet guitar and extremely friendly playing Martin, housed in a modern HSC. Excellent - Condition.