C. F. Martin 0-15 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1953), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 133418, natural mahogany finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is a generally well preserved, great playing and sounding 1950s 0-15, the lowest-ranked guitar model in Martin's post-WWII line. The 0-15 is a study in careful economy; the finish was less polished out than its ancestor the otherwise identical 0-17, but structurally the guitars were the same. The standard Martin 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 an openback plastic-button Waverly style more typical of the 1940s than the '50s.
This small-bodied 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 1953 (raised to $65 in December!) it is still built to the expected Martin standard of quality and is an extremely fine instrument. A total of 375 of these little mahogany marvels were shipped from Nazareth in 1953, a low production year for the model. This is a nice surviving example, a bit worn in but a lovely little guitar in every way.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 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.).
Over just about the last 70 years this little Martin has been used but not abused! It has recently had a clean neck reset with a small shim added under the fingerboard extension. The original bridge has been neatly reglued, and a newer bone saddle installed. The original lacquer finish has checking over much of the body and some noticeable dings, nicks and scratches, heaviest along the unbound edges, as is typical with these. There is no sign of any overspray. The back of the neck is not much worn with only a few small dings and dents.
There are no visible top, back or side cracks on this Martin, which can't be said for many of this vintage. Internally, one finger brace along the treble side of the X-brace had a small crack recently repaired. Other than this the original braces and small maple bridgeplate are virtually untouched. The original celluloid pickguard is still intact, with only the slightest shrinking along the outside edges. The original Waverly tuners retain their original plastic buttons and are fully functional. The original frets have lightly crowned with no subsequent wear and this is a very fine playing guitar with a most comfortable action and a richer sound than some of these small mahogany instruments. Overall Excellent Condition.
