C. F. Martin 0-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1959), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 167673, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown tolex chipboard case.
This very nice small-bodied Martin dates to 1959, right at the beginning of the "Folk explosion" of the early 1960's. The overnight success of the Kingston Trio caused a sudden giant run on the venerable Martin company, which resulted in serious backorders and many Martins being very hard to obtain. At this time the larger dreadnoughts were becoming ever more popular: at the height of the folk era, D-18's became a more common sight than these previously popular concert size guitars. Production of these little mahogany wonders in 1959 ran to an even 500-this lovely example plays and sounds as well as ever, and while not perfectly preserved remains a very fine instrument.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 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.). Overall a nice old folk-era Martin, used but not abused-there is a lot of belt-buckle wear to the back, but the top is quite clean. Some noticeable wear to the back of the neck and some light divots in the fingerboard in the lower fret areas-someone played a lot of open chords on this one! Frets have some wear but still play clean. The tuners are modern Grover re-issues (replacing the similar original Grover Sta-Tites) with the same footprint. The guitar is otherwise original, one repaired top crack on the treble side near the back edge, very small pickguard crack just at the upper edge; added strap button to the heel-no overspray or other tampering. A very nice playing guitar; good woody sound with plenty of volume. An extremely friendly-feeling little Martin, this would make a fine stage or songwriting instrument. Generally Excellent Condition.
