C. F. Martin 00-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1972), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 300173, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, original molded black plastic hard shell case.
This is a surprisingly great sounding 00-18 from 1972, extremely well preserved with a sound and feel nicely aged in and livelier than many typical '70's Martin instruments. The period features include black binding and pickguard, a short-saddle rosewood bridge, Grover Rotomatic tuners and a typical '60's style rounded-edge peghead.
To many players and Martin fans, the 00-18 has always been one of the company's most propitious and beloved combinations of wood, wire, and inspiration. The mahogany back and sides coupled with a spruce top makes for a transparent but warm and responsive guitar; the narrow-waisted 00-size body contributes both depth and clarity to the sound. Even in this era when Martins were at their most heavily built the 00-18 escaped some of the effects; the bridgeplate in this guitar is rosewood but much smaller than that used in period Dreadnoughts.
The smaller body Martins were comparatively forgotten instruments in this era of burgeoning Dreadnought obsession. This 00-18 was built in the first half of 1972, one of only 403 shipped that year. By comparison the D-18 sold over ten times that amount (nearly 4400 units) in 1972 making this 00 a rarity by comparison. With 50+ years of ageing behind it this is a lovely sounding guitar, an excellent fingerpicker's instrument but also offering plenty of punch and clarity as a straight rhythm machine.
Overall length is 39 1/8 in. (99.4 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 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This mahogany 00 remains nicely original and an excellent player, although it appears to have only rarely been played! The finish is lightly aged, with some minimal checking, a lightly ambered patina and only minor wear. There are none of the common pick marks to the top, just a couple of light dings and dents here and there. The back and sides similarly clean with some light checking on the back and some dings and scuffs throughout. The back of the neck is very clean, as is the headstock.
The only cracks are a few tight grain splits to the top above and below the pickguard caused by plastic shrinkage; these are tightly sealed with no touchup. The back edge of the guard itself was re-glued, with some small visible marks. The bridge is original, still at its original height, the frets and the nut are also original to the guitar showing minimal wear. The heel never even had a strap button added! The interior, including the original small rosewood bridge plate, is very clean; there is some wear to the pin holes but nothing problematic.
Now past its 50th birthday this guitar feels and sounds even "older" than it is, with a nice dry but still mellow ring reminiscent of 1950s mahogany 00's. This is a very sweet guitar and extremely friendly playing Martin, even though from the period known for rather heavily built instruments. It is housed in the original molded plastic HSC. Excellent Condition.
