1931 C. F. Martin 00-18 Natural

SN: 48251. Here is a lovely 12-fret 00-18 in a rare configuration with original belly bridge and pickguard – a moment in evolutionary time when the last of the 12-fretters were outfitted with the appointments of the future generation. The time-honored design where a long body joins the neck at the 12th fret is, to some, the real Martin Golden Era. This example, even with an old light overspray, is one of the loveliest and best sounding 12-fret Martins we’ve had in the shop. It is super light (3lb, 10oz) and responsive to the touch. It plays effortlessly with nice low action and is the proverbial fingerpicker’s delight.

The Adirondack top shows very light wear and a ding or two but is crack free. Grain width is a nice regular narrow to medium. Honduran mahogany back and sides are also crack-free and show a few light dings and spider-webbing-like checking in the thin overspray. The top is bound in rosewood and the ebony factory belly bridge looks original. The ebony nut is just shy of 1-7/8-inch. The neck is mahogany with an ebony fretboard with the “short dot” pattern and ebony reinforcement. The bar frets appear to have been PLEKed – they are uniform in height and play very smoothly. The back of the neck has been lightly reshot though the stamped logo at the back of the headstock is still nice and crisp. The tuners are original with new buttons and work very well. The insides are very clean and original.

In 1931, the depression was, by now, settling in – even double and triple dipping – exerting an extreme amount of uncertainty on family budgets and discretionary purchases. The 00-18 was a popular – and popularly priced – model but built in very small production numbers in 1931 – only 201 shipped that year. Why the overspray? Back in the day, an original owner could send their guitar back to Martin for maintenance and warranty work – neck resets, refrets, etc. While there, Martin would invariably spritz up the guitar with a light overspray before sending it back almost like a car dealer washing and vacuuming a car. My Spidey sense tells me that’s what happened here. Still, it does not detract from the tone or the understated elegance of this guitar.

The price includes a newer, highly functional hardshell case.

Top: Adirondack spruce
Band & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Dots (short pattern)
Nut width: 1-7/8”
Saddle spacing: 2-3/8”
Body width: 14-1/8”
Depth: 4-1/8”
Scale length: 24.75”
Case: HSC