C. F. Martin 0-15 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1940), made in Nazareth, PA, natural lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black chipboard case.
This is a relatively clean looking and great-playing prewar Martin 0-15. This particular guitar was built during the brief period when Martin experimented with tortoise shell plastic peghead overlays, and sports an attractive example of that unusual feature. The 0-15 is a small all-mahogany guitar but has a surprisingly loud voice, and sounds great either finger- or flatpicked. While this was the least expensive of Martin guitars in 1940, listing for $25.00, it still is built to the expected Martin standard of quality. The 0-15 remains usually the most affordable prewar Martin flat top, and then as now offers a lot of sound for the dollar!
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 5/8 in. (34.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.). This old Martin shows some typical signs of use but remains a truly excellent playing and sounding guitar. The finish is quite well preserved for this period, with small dings and chips (mostly to the back and edges) but no major loss. There are several repaired cracks to the back but the rest of the guitar is crack-free. With a recent neckset and excellent frets this is a very fine player with a tremendous sound for a small-body guitar. Excellent + Condition.
