1962 C.F. Martin 00-18 Natural
C.F. Martin 00-18 1962 | $4750 | (v2225) The 00 body size has been a staple for C.F. Martin since the end of the 19th century, through at least the 1970s. A glance at the production numbers show the 00-18 to be among the best sellers from the 1930s through the early 1970s. It's easy to understand its popularity; the overall body is not too big nor too small, and produces a rich and balanced tone.
The back and sides are mahogany with the back bound in faux tortoise celluloid. The top is Sitka spruce with the same tortoise celluloid binding, and trimmed with b/w/b purfling around the body edge and sound hole. The pickguard is celluloid faux tortoise. The 'belly' bridge is Brazillian rosewood. The neck is mahogany and carved in the 'C' shape of the era. The heel features a Brazilian cap. The fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood and features inlaid pearl dot position markers. The head stock sports Brazilian veneer and the C.F. Martin gold foil decal.The tuners are the original individual Grovers. The heel is stamped with the 1836xx serial number and the model number.
The body measures 14 1/4" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25". The neck measures 1 11/16" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 1/8" at the saddle.
Prior repairs include a small pickguard crack repair and a small ding in the side a few inches away from where the heel joins (see photo). We recently reset the neck and dressed and leveled the frets. Overall a nice, clean, original example. There is some first-position playing wear on the board, but the frets are pretty clean. There is some pick wear on the top and some belt buckle wear on the back .. evidence of a one-owner guitar .. but not too bad. Otherwise scattered nicks and dings from age and playing.
The action is set at 5-7/64" and the guitar plays easily. It produces the ringing tone one would expect from a quality Martin guitar and is great for both finger and flat picking. Many prefer this body size for studio work due to its excellent balance.
Comes with a clean soft case.
Check the sound clip
Cash, checks, PayPal, money orders or bank wire. We don't accept credit cards at this point.
We ship usually within a day of payment. International customers, we are not CITES certified. Any guitar with CITES-protected materials (Brazilian rosewood, ivory et al) shipped outside the US will be shipped at the risk of the buyer.
Forty-eight hour test drive on all instruments..if not to your liking, return for refund minus shipping costs.