1939 C. F. Martin 00-18 Natural

SN: 72406. Prewar specs, scalloped bracing, Adirondack spruce top, 1-3/4” nut and wide string spacing; this one pushes all the golden era buttons without the big price tag. While the 00-18 is not one of Martin’s rarest models, the prewar 00-18s are one of the hardest to find – in any condition.

Purchased from Elderly some time ago with an oversized bridge and bridge plate, it was shipped to Dennis Berck for rescue. Dennis performed his usual magic. The large bridge was replaced with a period correct belly bridge and some distress under the old bridge was repaired. The top still shows a light score line from the old bridge but it’s touched up about as well as can be expected. A couple of short older cracks are peeking out from beneath the bridge. They’ve been completely stabilized. Further, Dennis reset the neck, completely re fretted the fingerboard and installed a period correct small maple bridge plate. Just prior to my listing, Mark Tossman inspected the guitar and set it up for light strings.

Other than the distress around the bridge, the guitar is quite straight. There are no cracks other than the two previously mentioned and the usual assortment of scratches, dings oxidation and playwear. The finish is original with some expected touch-ups around the bridge. The old Grover G-98 12:1 tuners work well and the bridge is fitted with Antique Acoustic pins.

It is a joy to play with a perfect feeling vintage neck and wide string spacing. It produces a robust tone with resonance, depth, overtones and sustain.

Comes with a nice newer tweed hardshell case with stickers documenting many of the festivals this little guitar has attended.

SPECS:
Top: Adirondack
Band & Sides: Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Small dots
Nut width: 1-3/4”
String spacing: 2-3/8”
Body width: 13-5/16”
Depth: 4-1/8”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: HSC