C. F. Martin 0-15 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1949)

C. F. Martin  0-15 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar  (1949)
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Item # 7862
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C. F. Martin 0-15 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1949), made in Nazareth, PA, natural mahogany finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.

This is a great-playing and sounding just-postwar 0-15, the bottom-ranked guitar of Martin's guitar line. This small-bodied all-mahogany guitar still has a surprisingly loud voice, and sounds great finger- or flatpicked. The model is a study in careful economy; the finish was less polished than the otherwise identical 0-17, but structurally the guitars were the same. The standard Martin appointments are reduced to the minimum; there is no ornament besides a W/B/W soundhole ring, and the tuners are simple openback plastic-button Klusons.

While this was the least expensive guitar Martin offered, listing for $60.00, it still is built to the expected Martin standard of quality and an extremely fine instrument. This one carries the initials of a previous user, "RCW", in calligraphy paint on the upper bout; we don't know who this was, but it gives a charming detail to the guitar's history.
 
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 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.).

A very nice example overall; there is some typical light wear in the form of scuffs, scratches, and dings, but no major damage or repair. This guitar has escaped the sort of pickwear from overenthusiastic strumming many old Martins carry, and except for one scratch behind the bridge, the top finish is cleaner than most.

The guitar is also nicely original; as is nearly ubiquitous with Martins of this age, it has had a neckset, and the bridge was lowered slightly at some point prior. All work is neatly done including a new bone nut and saddle, and the original Kluson tuners have been re-buttoned. As noted above, there are nicely applied calligraphic initials on the top, which have worn away a bit. This is a very nice-playing and sounding example of this most modest of Martins, ready to play and housed in a newer HSC. Excellent - Condition.