1936 Martin 000-18 Acoustic Guitar-Used

Details

This is one of the most impressive sounding 000-18 Martins we've had, with the volume, warmth and bottom end one usually associates with slightly earlier OM models. And thanks to a recent neck reset and refret, it plays like a new reissue. According to Martin's serial number log, work began on this 000-18 Jan. 7th, 1936, and it was part of the first shop order started that year. For reasons unknown, on some Style 18 models Martin switched from ebony fingerboards and bridges to rosewood around this time, but since they later switched back to ebony within a year we assume it was due to the available supply of ebony. The bridge on this guitar is an accurate facsimile of the original but it has been changed, while the fingerboard is obviously original. It also has the original Grover G-98 tuners, and the original pickguard, plus original braces and bridge plate, finish is original with the exception of some touch-up on the neck barrel.

We've known this 000-18 for ages as we sold it to a local friend over 30 years ago. Long before that the neck had been reset by "slipping the neck block" and you can see some touch-up to the binding edge around the heel cap, plus 3 short hairlines from that long-ago neck set (there's no structural issue as these hairlines are underneath the neck block itself). There was also some touch-up to the finish on the neck barrel in the lower position. There's a repaired side crack in the lower bout on the treble side, the wear to the top finish is obvious in our photos but that finish is all original with no overspray.

At this early date Martin was still experimenting with top bracing on its relatively new 14 fret models, and as on the earlier OMs this 000 has no flat brace under the fingerboard and like the Dreadnoughts of this era the X pattern is closer to the soundhole. Another difference is there is only one "finger brace" on either side of the lower legs of the X, instead of two. This lighter bracing is probably why it sounds a lot like an OM-18, and has the 1 3/4" neck width as well (but of course with the slightly shorter string scale).

Specs

• Back sides Mahogany
• Binding Faux Tortoise
• Bracing Scalloped X
• Bridge Rosewood
• Fingerboard Rosewood
• Finish Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Frets to body 14
• Neck material Mahogany
• Nut width 1 3/4"
• Scale length 24.9"
• Top material Adirondack Spruce
• Total frets 20
• Tuners Grover
• Year 1936
• Case type Hardshell
• Serial number 61954
• SKU MAR00018-61954
• UPC 121099