C. F. Martin 0-15 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1950), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 113698, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back and sides and top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a moderately well-worn but nicely original (and great playing and sounding) 1950 0-15. This unassuming looking all-mahogany model was the lowest-ranked guitar model in Martin's postwar line. Even so, this least expensive guitar they offered was still priced at $60.00 (without case) in 1950, more than many flashier guitars from other builders.
While the 0-15 is a study in careful economy it is still built to the expected Martin factory standard of quality. The all-mahogany construction was a budget feature; the spruce top was omitted to lower the cost. The natural lacquer finish on the "15" style was specified as less polished out than the earlier 0-17, but structurally the guitars are the same. Decorative appointments are reduced to the minimum: there is no ornament besides a W/B/W sound hole ring, tortoise celluloid pickguard, and gold Martin logo decal. The tuners are the openback plastic-button Kluson single units with a large baseplates specific to this period.
This small-bodied all-mahogany guitar has a surprisingly loud and rich voice, and sounds great finger or flat-picked. A total of 700 of these little mahogany marvels were shipped from Nazareth in 1950; this one has seen some use but still sings with a rich and surprisingly complex voice.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/8 in. (10.5 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 Martin shows some evidence of use during its over 70 years on the planet but remains a very solid player, with a bit of a natural relic look to it. There is some moderately heavy finish checking overall, mostly on the sides and top. The lacquer finish shows dings, dents, scrapes and scratches overall, with typical wear to the unbound edges and some fairly deep scratches on the top on the upper bass side bout. There is less pick wear on the face than many old Martins show, notably a small area of many small marks under the strings in between the soundhole and the bridge, possible evidence of extensive thumb pick use.
The guitar shows two tightly glued top cracks on the bass side of the top, midway between the area around the soundhole and the bridge and the bass side rim. There os one other repaired crack to the treble side waist. The finish remains original with no notable touch up or overspray. The interior of the instrument mostly clean, with an intact original bridge plate and one reglued finger brace in the area of the two top cracks. The back of the neck is relatively clean with mostly only small dings and dents so it is quite comfortable to play. There are new buttons on the original Kluson tuners and they still work fine.
The neck has been neatly reset and the original full-height bridge has been reglued. The original frets have received a fresh grind and polish, with plenty of life left and playability remains excellent. This is also a very nice sounding guitar, built just a bit sturdier than its prewar ancestors with a deeper, mellower tone than some we have had. Overall Very Good + Condition.
