C. F. Martin 00-18E Model Flat Top Acoustic-Electric Guitar (1964), made in Nazareth, PA, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck; spruce top, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, original black soft shell case.
A nice example of one of Martin's earliest attempts at an electric guitar design: the 00-18E. This model, introduced at the end of the 1950s, 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, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge; tortoise celluloid binding and pickguard.
The DeArmond is the same pickup as in 1950s Gretsch guitars and early 1960s Guilds, but with an altered cover and mounted in a flush-fitting chrome ring. This is an interesting and fairly unusual guitar; not one of Martin's greatest successes perhaps, but a cool period piece with some uncommon sonic possibilities... it does a fabulous Elmore James impression, for one!
Overall length is 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm.), 14 5/16 in. (36.4 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.).
Overall a clean and nicely original guitar; there is a very small patch on the upper treble bout and a jackplate has been added. Otherwise only minor playwear and a fresh neckset with plenty of saddle; a very good-playing and sounding example. Generally Excellent Condition.
