1938 C. F. Martin 00-18H Shaded Dark
SN: 69334. Friends, here is rare Martin model with only 255 made before the war. It’s one of the few shade top Martin models that have not reached stratospheric price levels. Originally set up for Hawaiian play with flat frets and raised nut and saddle, the 00-18H is a fingerpicker’s delight when converted to standard play.
The 00-18H employed the architecture of the 1931/1932 12-fret 00 with slightly more robust golden era-style bracing. The neck profile is a modified V with big shoulders, a 1-7/8 nut and 2-5/16 string spacing at the bridge. Pickguard and belly bridge were standard and almost all the production totals shipped with the sunburst finish. There is ebony reinforcement in the neck, slotted headstock and the Mickey Mouse ear three-to-a-plate tuners. The setup is perfect for fingerstyle and strumming with low action and perfect intonation.
The conversion from Hawaiian to stanard play is not trivial. It requires a neck reset, adding radius to the fretboard and careful refretting for correct intonation. This particular guitar was expertly converted by Willi Henkes of Blazer & Henkes, builders of some of the finest handmade guitars available today. It’s one of the finest conversions I’ve seen. To add to its European pedigree, it was personally owned by Andreas Bagnasco, one half of Bagnasco & Casati a fine boutique builder in Italy. All the components are original except the T-frets, nut, saddle and an expertly made and intonated Blazer & Henkes bridge.
In terms of playability and tone this is certainly one of the best. The bass is robust and the well-defined trebles sparkle. Condition is terrific. There are a few small handling dings on the top back and sides and a small amount of typical deterioration of the finish at the edge of the pick guard but it is still quite shiny and the edges are crisp. It comes with a nice European brand hardshell case with a shoulder strap. In my humble opinion the 00-18H is one of the few bargains left in the Martin vintage market.
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Band & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Simple b/w trim and rosette. Dot position markers.
Nut width: 1-7/8”
String spacing: 2-5/8”
Body width: 14-1/8”
Depth: 4-1/16”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: Hardshell
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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.