1950 Martin 000-18 Flattop Guitar

Overview: This is a nice old '50 000-18 that's definitely a "player's grade" instrument. It's a good thing, too, because it's meant to be played -- it has a lovely, comfortable voice that feels immediately at home. It arrived an unplayable mess and is now a hot-to-trot player with a bit of character thrown-in. I like it quite a bit!

Tone: It has a husky, warm, chunky voice that's fun to dig-into and thump on, but stays nice and clear for fingerpicking, too. Think about how Mississippi John Hurt fingerpicking might sound on this'n...

Feel: Unlike a lot of Martins from the time, the neck profile is almost a simple C shape but it has just the kiss of a V to its rear profile. Aside from the flatter 16" radius to the board, it's almost Gibson-like in handling.

Interesting features: Per the usual it's solid spruce over solid mahogany, x-braced with tapered braces (for this time), and built well It's nice to see the original, Kluson, large-plate tuners in good order.

Repairs included: It's had a neck reset (beware, ye, of ancient epoxy and shims in neck joints), fret level/dress, new bridge, new saddle, minor brace repairs, a new pickguard install, cleaning, setup, etc... and is ready to roll.

• Weight: 3 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 24 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: medium C/softest V
• Board radius: 16"
• Body width: 15"
• Body depth: 4 1/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: x
• Bridge: rosewood (replacement)
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-lower

Condition notes: Its top has been oversprayed or varnished or something -- it's over the original finish but has a slightly rough feel to it like it's been rattlecanned. The back, sides, and neck all appear original throughout. The bridge is a replacement as the original had been very-shaved and had a crack in it. There's a chip-out area at the top of the pickguard that is glued-up and stable but not pretty. There's a patched jack-hole near the endpin area on the side. There's mild usewear via scratches and small scuffs here and there throughout and the back of the neck shows signs of wear and tear, too.

It comes with: It has an original, period, hard case.

Consignor tag: DCH