{"product_id":"c-f-martin-00-18-shade-top-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1950-11606","title":"C. F. Martin 00-18 Shade Top Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1950)","description":"C. F. Martin 00-18 Shade Top Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1950), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 115235, sunburst top, natural back and sides finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis guitar is truly delightful piece of Martin history: a beautifully preserved 00-18 from 1950 with the very rare \"shade top\" (otherwise known as sunburst) top finish. A \"shaded\", or \"dark\" top option was cataloged for Martin buyers beginning in the early 1930's. Originally, this was a subtle amber tone darkening around the edges but by this point it had a fairly dark outer shading, a look no doubt inspired by Martin dealers and customers eyeing Gibsons! This option is very rarely seen by the dawn of the 1950s, particularly when applied to a less expensive piece like this 00-18.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eApart from the seldom-ordered livery this 00-18 is not one of Martin's rarer creations, but to many players and Martin fans constitutes one of the company's most beloved combinations of wood, wire, and inspiration. The trim is discreet with tortoise celluloid on the body edges and a simple multiply sound hole ring. In classic Martin style the elegant understatement speaks for itself, a look given a different flavor by the darker top.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 14 1\/4\" light mahogany body makes for a very responsive guitar, with a nice mix of depth and clarity to the sound. This example was built around mid-1950, one of a total of 525 000-18s shipped that year; hardly any of those would have carried this special \"Shaded\" option. It otherwise has typical period features with tortoise celluloid binding and pickguard, a rosewood belly bridge, and some nicely grained spruce under the shaded finish. The tuners are the postwar open back single-unit Klusons with the large baseplate typical of the period.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile not a particularly expensive guitar by Martin standards, listing in mid-1950 at $70.00 (plus case) the 00-18 still represented a substantial investment to many players. Despite its smaller size and lack of flash, the 00-18 remains a fully professional instrument popular with pickers of many styles, and one of Martin's most versatile and timeless classics. Somebody ordered this one in the special finish in 1950, and by the looks of it never got much use out of the guitar once they got it. Well into the next century it has lots of music to offer along with a special look.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 39 1\/4 in. (99.7 cm.), 14 1\/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 in. (10.2 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.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis rare \"Shade Top\" is a very clean and original guitar showing only light wear for its 70+ years on the planet. The all-original finish shows some minor checking, mostly on the sunburst top and a random collection of dings, dents and scratches overall. There is none of the typical pickwear often seen on older Martins. The only repair is a small spruce grain split in the common spot running back off the top edge of the pickguard, neatly sealed but not cleated. There is a tiny grain pull off the bottom edge that is not through the wood. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe guitar appears completely original showing no signs of other work; there is no indication of a neck reset or bridge lift, and internally everything is unaltered. The saddle appears original, the bridge may have been lowered just slightly in front of the pins long ago. The original frets show very little wear and essentially it appears the guitar was simply never played that much. It is fairly rare these days to see a Martin even from this early post war period in this fine shape, let alone this super rare shade top variation. The action is comfortable and this is a fabulous player, a real looker and great sounding old Martin that will only get better with some actual play time. Overall Excellent Condition.","brand":"C. F. Martin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853511479436,"sku":"11606","price":11500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_e6db97b3-2791-419d-9e73-1c2760250960.jpg?v=1774340522","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/c-f-martin-00-18-shade-top-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1950-11606","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}