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1956 Martin 00-18
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Serial #: 148904, stamped on neck block
Nut Width: 1 11/16" Scale length: 24.9"
Materials: Solid bookmatched figured Honduras mahogany back, sides and neck; solid bookmatched quartersawn spruce top; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, bridge, headplate and heelcap; solid bone nut; compensated bone saddle; original open back tuners; original tortoise pickguard, and end graft; original inlaid bridgepins. Piezo under-saddle pickup with thumbwheel volume control and endpin jack.
Notes: The Style 18 is one of C.F. Martin's oldest designs, dating to at least 1857, and remained the firm's most popular motif throughout the 20th Century. The 'Grand Concert' 00 body size originated in 1873 with a Style 28 guitar, and by 1898 the first 00-18 model made its debut. Redesigned in 1934 to it's current 14 fret configuration, the 00-18 was one of Martin's all-time best selling models. Offered in regular production until 1995, the guitar is now available on custom order only.
This lovely guitar from 1956 is one of the last to use the prewar style oval button open-back tuners, and shows the colorful tortoiseshell binding and pickguard, both discontinued in the mid-'60s. Featherweight in construction, this elegant guitar tips the scales at a phenomenal 3lb 12oz. and is effortless to hold on the lap or the strap, with a clear, open voice only decades of age can impart.
Nicely maintained over the years, the guitar is free of cracks, and shows little in the way of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, with its all-original deeply ambered lacquer finish showing only some a few light scattered nicks and dings. The body and neck are crafted of close grained Honduras mahogany, with an attractive bearclaw figure in the back. The bookmatched spruce soundboard is supported with tall thin braces and aged to a deep pumpkin tone, showing the sort of red grainlines often associated with Adirondack varieties.
Ideal for fingerstyle play, the guitar is notably sensitive to a pick as well. The voice is warm and balanced, and the neck profile is a gentle C, with just a hint of a light vee in the cheeks. Action is smooth and low over the clear straight Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, with a fine high bone saddle, and freshly dressed original fretwork. Adding to the versatility of the instrument is an under-saddle pickup system (Baggs?) with soundhole mounted thumbwheel volume control and endpin jack. A favorite of performers from Nanci Griffith to Dave Alvin and Tim O'Brien, this compact classic offers Golden Era tone at a working player's price. Call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with light gauge bronze strings (.012-.054). The guitar will accommodate lighter strings, according to preference.
Case: Deluxe arched plush lined fitted black hardshell case.
