C. F. Martin 000-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1963), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 191097, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a great sounding 000-18 built in mid-1963, just as the "guitar boom" era was about to peak. The next year the C.F. Martin company would leave their 130+ year old red brick factory to move "down the road" to their new modern plant. A host of production changes would then begin to affect their guitars, but this 1963 model retains the same look, feel and sound as the older 1950's Martins. The spruce top has the traditional tortoise celluloid pickguard and binding, which would be replaced by black plastic a few years on. Other typical older-style features include the long-saddle rosewood bridge, individual Grover Sta-Tite tuners with hexagonal bushings and a typical '60's rounded-edge peghead.
To many players and Martin fans, the 000-18 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 15" wide narrow-waisted 000-size body contributes both depth and clarity to the sound. The 1960s mahogany neck is fairly slim with the subtlest of rounded "V" profiles
The 000-18 was a fairly expensive guitar for the time listing at $175 (plus case) in early 1963, raised to $189.50 in July. This represented a substantial investment to many folk and amateur players, especially as the increasingly popular D-18 could be had for only $35 more. This example was built around the middle that year, one of 401 000-18's shipped. The Dreadnought D-18 sold over 800 units that same year, making this mahogany 000 something of a rarity by comparison. With 55+ years of ageing behind it this is an excellent fingerpicker's instrument but also has plenty of punch and clarity as a straight rhythm machine as well.
Overall length is 39 7/8 in. (101.3 cm.), 15 3/16 in. (38.6 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.).
This mahogany 000 remains nicely original and an excellent player, with a recent very clean neck reset and compensated saddle added. There are no alterations and just some relatively minor repairs. The original lacquer finish is nicely aged, finely checked and ambered but it does not show excessive wear. There are some dings, dents and light pick marks scattered around the top, most notable on the lower edge of the soundhole rim which has a few spots down into the wood.
The finish on the back and sides shows fairly light wear with some dings, dents and scratches, the back of the neck is mostly clean with a few tiny dings and dents. There is only some light repair, one spot in the area on the side above the endpin had a small bash sealed and lightly touched up. A small grain opened off the top edge of the pickguard, which has been sealed and cleated. Other than these the guitar is crack free.
The original bracing and small maple bridgeplate are intact, and the original rosewood bridge was very slightly cut down but does not appear reglued; the compensated bone saddle is recent. The original frets show some very little wear. Well past its 60th birthday this guitar feels and sounds even "older" than it actually is, with a nice dry but still mellow ring reminiscent of the 1950's mahogany 000's. This is a super sweet guitar and extremely friendly playing Martin, clean overall but played in perfectly. It is housed in a later black tolex HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.
