{"product_id":"c-f-martin-0-18-shade-top-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1932-10379","title":"C. F. Martin 0-18 Shade Top Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1932)","description":"C. F. Martin 0-18 Shade Top Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1932), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 51917, sunburst top, natural back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, Adirondack spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a really striking Martin 0-18 from late 1932, finished in the very rare \"shade top\" (otherwise known as sunburst) variation. A \"shaded\", or \"dark\" top option was first cataloged for Martin buyers beginning right around this time. This guitar shows the early variant, a subtle and rather muted deep amber tone darkening around the edges of the top. By 1935 the edge finish was nearly black, and the shading rather less subtle. No doubt this livery was inspired by Martin dealers and customers looking at period Gibsons! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite the difficulties of the Great Depression (of which 1931-2 was the darkest period ) Martin just managed to keep up a steady output of guitars. In 1932 506 of these featherweight mahogany marvels shipped out of Nazareth each priced at $40 (plus case) which represented a considerable sum for many cash-strapped Americans. Considering the state of the industry and limited production of most guitar builders this number seems rather miraculous in hindsight. Only a small proportion of those shipped would have been this dark-top variation, though the exact numbers were not recorded. Interestingly this particular guitar is stamped \"Made in USA\" in tiny letters on the headstock rear indicating it was originally shipped outside the US.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis early 14-fret 0-18 is a simple but delightful small-body flat-top, built superbly lightweight with typical features for the era. The mahogany body has a scalloped X-braced Adirondack spruce top with tortoise celluloid binding on the edges, tortoise celluloid pickguard, a long-saddle Brazilian rosewood bridge. The early \"Shade top\" has a darkly mysterious look to the nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The mahogany neck has a slim round-backed profile and rosewood fingerboard. The headstock face is adorned with the first pattern \"C.F. Martin\" gold logo on the rosewood facing and fitted with individual Grover G-98 openback tuners that are in the earlier \"clipped plate\" style with oval metal buttons. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a great-playing and fantastic-sounding little guitar, with a very big tone for its size. It has seen some use and wear over the last 90 years but remains an exceptional guitar, a splendid example of how Martin never sacrificed their quality standards even in the darkest of times.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 38 3\/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 13 9\/16 in. (34.4 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.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis guitar shows typical wear and repair for its 90 years on the planet but remains an excellent playing instrument. The finish is entirely original with no evidence of overspray. It shows extensive checking throughout, with some small areas worn down to the bare wood where finish has flaked away, particularly on the rims, the likely result of exposure to moisture. There are also scratches, dings, dents and playwear throughout, with strum wear through the soundhole rim and pickwear throughout the upper bout of the top. The headstock shows numerous edge chips, dings and scratches but the original silkscreened C. F. Martin \u0026amp; Co. logo still shines brightly and the stamp on the back is still crisp, complete with the tiny \"Made In U.S.A.\" that denotes a guitar intended for export.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe top has several repaired spruce grain cracks, all cleated internally. T wo run from the back edge of the bridge, one reaches the end block and the other extends down about an inch and a half. The upper bout bass side of the top has a tightly sealed crack running from the top edge of the upper bout to an area next to the sound hole. There is a somewhat jagged split on the top next to the bass side fingerboard extension; inspection inside the soundhole reveals this area has been soundly glued back together. The back has a reglued center seam over much of its length and a sealed and cleated grain crack running from the neck block on the treble side towards the middle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe neck was reset and the original bridge reglued with a new bone saddle, with only the slightest hints around the bridge to show. The bridge plate has been expertly replaced with a correct pattern small maple piece. The lower tip of the neck heel has a tightly sealed grain crack that runs from the treble side to the center spine of the heel. This is below the dovetail, thus avoiding any structural issues. It does not extend around to the bass side so was only a partial separation, not cracked through. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe neck itself is very clean, with light capo wear most notably a feelable mark at the 11th fret, but the finish remains in tact over its length and it feels well played in. The ebony nut is original; the fingerboard has been trued and has had a partial refret, the first five bar frets replaced with period-correct Martin bar fret stock. The guitar play very well and the frets have plenty of life left. The original Grover G-98 \"clipped plate\" tuners with riveted gears and oval metal buttons still function well. This guitar is a really striking Martin with its mysterious dark top; beyond its cool naturally reliced look it plays and sounds excellent, complete in a well fitted modern HSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.","brand":"C. F. Martin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853412159628,"sku":"10379","price":19500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_fead8ecd-b729-417b-9300-1b532be2b7cc.jpg?v=1774338037","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/c-f-martin-0-18-shade-top-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1932-10379","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}