C. F. Martin 00-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1963), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 190849, natural lacquer finish, mahogamy back, sides and neck; spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This very nice early-'60's 00-18 has been owned and played for many years by "The Titan of the Telecaster", Bill Kirchen. Bill has traveled the world twanging to highly appreciative audiences ever since his late 1960's stint with Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, working with the likes of Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Link Wray and on to his most recent release Stems & Seeds. He is commonly regarded as one of the founders of the Americana genre, a real American treasure and just about one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Bill recently dropped by our shop enroute long enough to leave us this guitar, which he says he has owned "forever", to find it a new home. It is a typical and very nice "Folk Era" 00, built just before Martin's move to the new larger factory in 1964 led to a host of production changes.
Overall length is 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm.), 14 3/8 in. (36.5 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.). Very nicely preserved with some wear overall; some light pick scratches to the top, a couple of areas of wear into the finish on the back and one deep chip on the back bottom edge into the wood. The only alteration is a slightly later short-saddle bridge, very neatly fitted. An excellent player with a very full sound, great provanance and obviously well loved and ready for the next 50 years! Excellent - Condition.
