{"product_id":"c-f-martin-00-18e-flat-top-acoustic-electric-guitar-1959-5256","title":"C. F. Martin 00-18E Flat Top Acoustic-Electric Guitar (1959)","description":"C. F. Martin 00-18E Model Flat Top Acoustic-Electric Guitar (1959), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 169674, natural lacquer finish, Mahogany Back and Sides, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, original black chipboard case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 00-18E is one of Martin's earliest attempts at an electric guitar design, using a very familiar flat-top as the starting point. This model was introduced at the end of the 1950's is essentially a standard 00-18 flat top with a magnetic DeArmond pickup and controls added. Unlike the similar Gibson J-160E and Martin's own period Dreadnought electrics the 00-18E is a solid top X-braced guitar with a surprisingly good acoustic sound. This one has typical period 00-18 features: mahogany body and neck, spruce top, Brazillian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, tortoise celluloid binding and pickguard. One difference is Martin fitted a heavier bridgeplate and for some reason, peral d-t-capped screws through the bridge, like Gibson.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe DeArmond pickup is the same unit fitted to 1950's Gretsch guitars and early 1960's Guilds but with an altered coverplate and mounted in a flush-fitting chrome ring. The tone and volume knobs are clear gold-tinted plastic with a numbered indicator plate mounted below. This is an interesting and fairly unusual guitar�not one of Martin's greatest aesthetic successes perhaps but a cool period piece, with some uncommon sonic possibilities�it does a fabulous Elmore James impression, for one!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 38 1\/2 in. (97.8 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 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3\/4 in. (44 mm.). Some moderately heavy play wear overall, and several sealed top cracks -a long grain split behind the bridge and several short ones off the pickguard. The bridge top has been taken down somewhat. There are several small side cracks and a several very worn spots on the back and sides. All original finish and hardware, good player's example of this unusual Martin creation. Very Good + Condition.","brand":"C. F. Martin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46852874240140,"sku":"5256","price":2800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/c-f-martin-00-18e-flat-top-acoustic-electric-guitar-1959-5256","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}