1954 Martin 0-18 Flattop Guitar

This punchy little devil handles and sounds a treat. My favorite Martins are early to mid-'50s ones and this one's right in on that secret sauce era of practical design mixed with good tone. It's held-up well and is ready to go for the foreseeable future.

It's also obviously had a lot of love given to it during its years -- though it looks like it's never had any major catastrophes befall it, which suggests it was played and loved but not abused.

Tonewise, sizewise, and aesthetics-wise, this guitar just has it all. It's classic, it has sweet and velvety mids, and a round top-end with clean, round low-end. It's nicely-balanced and adaptable to any style you can throw at it, though I do have to say it loves fingerpicking quite a bit.

Repairs included: previously it looks like it had a neck reset, replacement saddle, and and side crack repairs done (all elsewhere). All were done well. When it got here, it had a hairline crack on the top on the lower bout that had been glued but not cleated. I cleated that. Then it got a fret level/dress, some minor cleaning, a fresh and better-compensated bone saddle, and setup work.

Weight: 3 lbs 9 oz

Scale length: 24 7/8"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

Neck shape: medium C/soft V

Board radius: 14"

Body width: 13 1/2"

Body depth: 4 1/4"

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: x

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 52w, 40w, 30w, 22w, 16, 12 custom lights

Truss rod: non-adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Condition notes: there are a few repaired side cracks on the lower-bout treble side and one repaired hairline crack to the top lower bout. All are pictured and good to go. The saddle and ebony pins throughout are replacements. The endpin area was drilled for a pickup and then filled and a replacement button put in. There's various pickwear, small scratches, and usewear throughout the guitar and the finish has weather-checking here and there throughout. Still, it looks nice! I took some glared photos to show some of the indented wear to the top a little better.

It comes with: a nice old hard case.