(SOLD) Martin 00-18 1950
Martin 00-18, made in USA 1950, natural finish. If you've played Martin's famed small body steel strings, you'll know how nice they are. If you've had the pleasure of playing a vintage example, no doubt you're already a little giddy at the mention of this beauty. It has the magic: this is an absolutely stellar sounding guitar. Every little nuance and inflection in your playing comes out in sparkling, eloquent detail. The natural volume and bass response is remarkable for a smaller body; it balances the crystal clarity and projection of the top end brilliantly. The neck in great order; it's a moderate round profile, straight and reliable, played-in and perfectly comfortable. The Brazilian rosewood board is a chocolate delight; paired with some proper vintage sitka spruce and Honduras mahogany, you're surely getting timber that today's guitar makers only dream about. There's a couple of minor cracks (see notes below) and the case is a later model Martin example, but overall it's weathered seven decades very gracefully indeed. This is one of those guitars you don't really 'buy', you just look after it for your childrens' children.
Model: Martin 000-M
Made: 1950, USA (serial 114900)
Finish: natural gloss, original tort guard
Body: solid sitka spruce top, solid Honduras mahogany back and sides
Neck: Honduras mahogany, one piece, Brazilian rosewood board, 24.9" scale
Mods: bridge pins replaced with fossil bone (originals included)
Pickup: none
Case: non-original Martin ABS hard case, very good quality and condition
Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. The headstock has a couple of minor marks on the end, some light scuffs on the back and some light winder scuffs on the sides. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor play wear on the board and minor dimples on the back only. The back has has a small repaired crack coming off the back edge two inches or so from the bottom, it's been reinforced inside the guitar what looks like a long time ago; see the close up pic. There's also a handful of minor scratches as per the pictures, the most notable are near the neck joint and in the middle on the upper side. The sides have minor marks only: small dimples and light checking on both horns, light scuffs and surface scratches on the shoulder and bottom side. The front is very tidy. There's one small crack running between the bridge along the top of the teardrop guard, stopping just shy of the rosette; it's extremely difficult to catch in a photograph but there's a close-up attempting to do so. Aside from that, there's just some very light scuffs and dimples and finish checking, the most notable marks are on the shoulder and top horn. Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Frets are original and in great shape with fairly minor wear only, 7/10 for fret life left. Setup with fresh 12/54 Moonshiners strings.