1933 C. F. Martin OM-18 Natural
SN: 54858. Light as a feather and original where it counts, this guitar is woody, balanced, warm wonderful. It’s feather-lite construction, long scale, forward X-scalloped bracing make it very responsive and ideal for fingerpicking or Blake style flatpicking. Built in the third year of production the Adirondack top, lacquer finish, pickguard, mahogany back and sides, bracing and bridge plate are all original. Two stable cracks running alongside the fretboard extension and touchups to the neck keep the price out of the stratosphere in in the realm of affordabilia. The rare original hardshell case is in superb condition and, on its own, an incredible find.
This old gal has seen some high quality maintenance and repairs over the years. The current bar fret fretboard is a replacement. The neck was reset in 2015. A pro repro bridge replaced a compromised one. The two cracks running on either side of the fretboard were capably repaired. The finish was played off the back of the neck. It was lightly sealed. The heel looks oversprayed or refinished. I’ve looked at this closely with both a black light and magnifying glass and see no distress. Perhaps the finish was affected by the moisture during the neck rest? Most recently, I had a new ebony nut cut and had the bar frets leveled and crowned. The action is very smooth up and down the neck. Previous work completed by David Eichelbaum. Recent work by Mark Tossman.
The condition I’d characterize as “vintage mojo”. Honest playwear on the top, typical scratching on the back and sides. The tuners are original and show some rust. A fredquent player will want to replace them with high quality Waverly butter beans and put the original in the case (one gas a newer button). Bridge pins and end pin a new repros. Apologies for the phone photos. If it’s still around in September, I’ll put up the usual studio shots. Meanwhile, if there’s something you’d like to see, shoot me an email.
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Band & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Simple small dot fret markers
Nut width: 1-3/4”
String spacing: 2-3/8”
Body width: 14-3/8”
Depth: 4-3/8”
Scale length: 24.5”
Case: OHSC
Payment is by personal check or money order. Payment in full, including shipping and insurance, is required before shipment. Personal checks must clear your bank. Please specify preferred shipping method when you order the instrument and we will calculate the exact price for you.
We represent the instruments as accurately as we can. All instruments are shipped on 48-hour approval. If there is damage as a result of the shipping, please contact us immediately and we will deal with the insurance company. If the instrument is damaged in transit from you to me, then you are responsible for dealing with the damage and insurance. For refunds, all instruments must be returned in the same condition as we shipped them in.
All instruments are shipped on 48-hour approval. If there is damage as a result of the shipping, please contact us immediately and we will deal with the insurance company. If the instrument is damaged in transit from you to me, then you are responsible for dealing with the damage and insurance. For refunds, all instruments must be returned in the same condition as we shipped them in.