{"product_id":"c-f-martin-000-18-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1967-10199","title":"C. F. Martin 000-18 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1967)","description":"C. F. Martin 000-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1967), made in Nazareth, PA, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck; spruce top, black tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a great sounding 000-18 from the tail end of the \"guitar boom\" era, with a feel still more like the older Martins than the more heavily built '70's instruments to come. The top retains the old-style tortoise celluloid pickguard, but edges are bound with the newly-introduced black outer layer. Other typical features include the short-saddle rosewood bridge and a typical '60's rounded-edge peghead. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo 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 next year the introduction of the larger rosewood bridgelate meant these smaller Martins would begin to feel overbuilt for the next couple of decades; this is the last year of the original \"good ones\".\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy '60s standards the 000-18 was a fairly expensive guitar listing at $270.00 (plus case) by early 1967. This represented a substantial investment to many players as the increasingly popular D-18 could be had for only $25 more. This example was built in the first quarter that year, one of 625 shipped the up-to-then peak production year for the model. Still, the D-18 sold over 2600 units that same year, making the 000 something of a rarity by comparison. With 50+ years of ageing this is an excellent fingerpicker's instrument but also has plenty of punch and clarity as a straight rhythm machine as well. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall 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.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis mahogany 000 remains nicely original and an excellent player, with the neck recently reset. The finish is nicely aged, finely checked and ambered showing some typical but not excessive wear. There are some light pick and scuff marks to the top, a \"case bite\" above the bridge and a couple of press marks on the bass side lower bout. There is fine checking in the finish throughout; the back has a noticeable area of buckle rash on the treble side. The back of the neck has wear down to the wood with capo marks along the spine from the first fret to the fifth. The headstock shows some nicks and scrapes at the edges and a few spots on the back where something (possible a Dymo Tape name tag) was once stuck and then removed. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere are no major alterations to the instrument and some relatively minor repairs. There are four short grain cracks, each about an inch long, on the treble side rim. One is just at the waist and these are three more at the apex of the lower bout. All are neatly sealed with no added finish. Another short rim crack, also sealed, is next to the end block on the bass side rim. The original small maple bridgeplate is intact, and the original bridge has been reglued and slightly shaved down. A more recent bone saddle replaces the original, the nut is also a new bone piece. The tuners are modern Waverleys, drop-in replacements for the original Grover Sta-Tites with a similar look and the same footprint as the originals. Well past its 50th birthday this guitar feels and sounds even \"older\" than it actually is, with a nice dry but still mellow ring reminiscent of 1950's mahogany 000's. this is a sweet guitar and extremely friendly playing Martin, housed in a later HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.","brand":"C. F. Martin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853405311116,"sku":"10199","price":5250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_b7d87258-9e17-423c-b563-64dcf326a7fc.jpg?v=1774337747","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/c-f-martin-000-18-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1967-10199","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}