Details
OK, technically this doesn't qualify as being a PRE World War II Martin, since construction began in early June of 1943, but it has all the pre-war features including an Adirondack soundboard and scalloped top bracing. But what makes this 00-18 even more interesting are the features necessitated by the war itself. Restrictions on steel meant Martin returned to using an ebony neck reinforcement (as they'd used a decade earlier), and the original tuners you see here are about as spartan as could be imagined: no bushings in the headstock facing, and blued, not plated. To our surprise, the tuners work quite well (the celluloid buttons are still solid) and combined with the lack of a steel T bar in the neck the result is one of the lightest acoustic guitars you'll ever pick up (barely over 3 lbs). The result is an abundance of "player feedback" when played in your lap, the kind of response that makes these early guitars such a joy.
This has had a recent neck reset and refret, the finish, pickguard, and bridge are original, and the only crack is from pickguard shrinkage (which won't get worse as we released the 'guard and reglued it).
Includes a new Superior Hardshell case.
Specs
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Back sides
Mahogany
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Binding
faux tortoiseshell celluloid
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Bracing
Scalloped X Pattern
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Bridge
Brazilian Rosewood
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Fingerboard
Brazilian Rosewood
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Finish
nitrocellulose Lacquer
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Frets to body
14
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Neck material
Mahogany
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Nut width
1 11/16"
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Scale length
24.9"
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Top material
Spruce
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Tuners
original
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Year
1943
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Case type
Hardshell
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Serial number
84382
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SKU
MAR0018-84382
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UPC
141849
