1962 Martin 0-16NY Flattop Guitar

Overview: I was lucky-enough to get this guitar in a trade. I've had a number of 0-16NY models through the shop and every one of them sounds tops once they're gone-through. This is one of the cleanest ones I've seen, yet, and doesn't even have a single hairline crack anywhere. It did need a little of the usual sort of work but it's come out of it playing like a champ.

Per the usual for these, they're built very lightly and as close to a '30s 0-18 12-fret spec as the company could at the time. That means that I suggest 46w-10 strings as the very heaviest to use on these for standard E-to-E tuning. They were marketed when new as being able to take nylon strings, too, but I find they sound a bit on the weak side as classical/folk nylon guitars. If you're looking for that -- find a 00-16C from the same time and you will be well pleased.

These make nice flatpickers if your approach is light to moderate attack and nuance as opposed to whumping the guitar. As fingerpickers, they're pretty-much ideal. Just like the '30s 12-fret 0-18 models, these '60s 0-16NY models are almost tailor-made for fingerpickers. In this capacity they sound round, full, balanced, and responsive. They're also the perfect body size to cozy-up-with on the couch.

Repairs included: I reset the neck, reglued the bridge, leveled and dressed the frets, mildly-recut the saddle to match the board radius and add a touch of compensation, and set it up. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz
• Scale length: 24 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 13/16"
• Neck shape: medium soft V
• Board radius: 16"
• Depth at first fret: 0.84"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.93"
• Body width: 13 5/8"
• Body depth: 4 1/4"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: very light x
• Bridge: Brazilian rosewood
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-10
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium/lower

Condition notes: It's completely original right down to the old plastic bridge pins and endpin. There are no cracks. There's a little finish disturbance to the rear of the bridge (I moved it ever so slightly forward when regluing it because the saddle was positioned 1/16" too far to the rear when built -- a typical thing for old Martins). There's finish weather-check to the clearcoat and very mild scuffs and scratches here and there but overall it's in really good shape -- especially for its age. There's some pickwear near the soundhole.

It comes with: It has a cool, old, brown hard case in good shape. It's not an exact fit but it's good.

Consignor tag: JW