C. F. Martin 0-15 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1952), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 128138, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back and sides and top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a very nicely preserved and fine playing 0-15, the lowest-ranked guitar model in Martin's postwar line. The late 1952 0-15 is a study in careful economy; the finish was less polished out than the otherwise identical 0-17, but structurally the guitars were the same. To achieve the lowest possible price appointments were reduced to the minimum. There is no ornament besides a W/B/W sound hole ring, tortoise celluloid pickguard, and gold Martin logo decal on the headstock. The original tuners are large-plate openback plastic-button Klusons typical of the late '40s-early '50s.
This 0-sized all-mahogany guitar has a surprisingly loud and rich voice, and sounds great finger or flat-picked. While this was the least expensive guitar Martin offered, listing for $60.00 in 1952, it is still built to the expected Martin standard of quality and a fine instrument. A total of exactly 550 of these little mahogany marvels were shipped from Nazareth in 1952; this one has been played less than many and remains in lovely shape. It is a smooth little player with a powerful ringing tone, another example of how even the simplest Martins are often exceptional guitars.
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 lovely all-mahogany Martin retains the original lacquer finish, showing only some small dings, nicks and scratches overall but virtually no pick wear to the top. Most of the wear is dings, dents and scrapes to the body edges, typical of these unbound guitars. The top finish appears to have been polished out, likely as a result of the only notable crack repair, a grain split along the treble side of center seam, running from bottom of the body to the bridge. This is neatly sealed, no cleats were added an it quite inconspicuous. There is also a small impact mark at the corner of the back and side on the treble side lower bout, again neatly sealed and not very noticeable.
The guitar has recently had a neck reset, with a new bone saddle added to the original bridge which was previously lowered very slightly and likely reglued. The original small maple bridgeplate is still intact, and all of the original braces are firmly in place. The original frets and fingerboard shows fairly light wear and playability is excellent. The original tuners are intact, the plastic buttons have shrunk a bit but still work fine. Now nearly 75 years old, this 0-15 offers a wide range of tones from its small body, and is an absolute joy to play. It is housed in a modern hardshell case. Excellent - Condition.
