C. F. Martin 00-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1947), made in Nazareth, PA, natural lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, black hard shell case.
A nice example of a just-postwar Martin 00-18, well played but righteous with a truly spectacular sound. Standard Style-18 features for the era including mixed-size dot inlay, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and tortoise celluloid binding on the body.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/16 in. (10.3 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.).
This guitar is nicely original; it has some fairly heavy wear in some areas but is quite clean in others, and seems to have been played by someone with a very specific technique!
The top is very little worn with great patina except for a small spot of armwear on the upper bout where the finish is worn down and the wood darkened. Some strumwear to the lower soundhole edge; hardly any other pickwear to face. A jack hole has been patched in the usual spot on the lower bout. This area has quite a lot of finish wear and scratching.
The back also has a lot of finish scratching, especially on the upper bout "overall snaps" area, and someone's sweaty knee (we think!) has left a worn and darkened spot on the side upper treble bout. Two repaired back cracks; no overspray of finish work at all. The bridge is original, equipped with an elaborate compensated saddle, and the intonation is exceptionally good. The original saddle is included. Set up with modern re-issue tuners but no extra holes drilled.
A great playing and sounding little Martin. Very Good + Condition.
