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Description

The C. F. Martin Company created a number of Concert (0 Series), parlor, and smaller guitars, starting in the 1890’s and continuing until the 1990s. According to The Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars, the O-18T specifically was made from 1929 to 1993 (George Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage Guitars says 1996).

This post-World War II version of the 0-18T has a solid Adirondack spruce top, while the neck, back, and sides are all solid mahogany. The ebony fingerboard has the 14/20 fret configuration used after 1933, and after 1932 there was usually a tortoise pick guard, as seen here. And finally, the solid (not slotted) headstock supposedly started in 1934, while the C. F. Martin logo no longer appeared on the back of the headstock after 1935. Fortunately, there is a clear model and serial number (122616) on the neck block, confirming that 1951 is a pretty firm estimate for a date of manufacture.

The model number, of course, can be established by dimensions as well, and this guitar has the 0-18T’s typical body length of 17”, lower bout of 13 ½”, 14/20-fret scale length of 23”, and a depth at the lower bout of 4.” This instrument’s original parts are in good condition to be 64 years old, with light wear visible on the first three fret areas of the fingerboard (and some playable but heavy fret wear). The top has considerable pick wear, above and below the sound hole, and a number of long-ago repaired cracks (confirmed as still solid by my luthier).

The bridge, headstock, neck, and top are otherwise all solid/straight/flat as can be, and the bridge plate and scalloped braces are all solidly glued, front and back. The back and sides have no visible cracks, but obviously after 64 years there are dents, scratches, and bruises when you look closely. The ebony nut looks original, but the bridge pins and saddle appear new. And finally, there may be some replacement binding, as some sections don’t seem quite to match.

All in all, this is a wonderful 1950s period piece, sure to appreciate as a part of a serious Martin or stringed instrument collection, despite any “unoriginal” parts it might have. However, I believe it will be first and foremost a player’s guitar, with its seasoned tonewoods and vintage Martin quality construction guaranteeing many more years of musical pleasure. The sound is remarkably full for a small-bodied four-string instrument, and the action is set up at a very playable 4/32” at the 12th fret. I trust it will find a home where it will be once again treated with the respect it deserves.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashiers and personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this vintage instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was somehow misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy this cool little guitar.

Thank you for your interest.

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

1951
Martin
Good
Soft
9 Years
ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS
ARTHUR H LUMPKIN
803-731-0515
Online Only
6:52 PM
24/7 by e-mail: akmgj@bellsouth.net. I'm old; I don't sleep much.

Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.

From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.

I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.