During late 1952 and part of 1953 Martin production saw the use of Vermont red spruce for guitar tops. Recently documented Martin order ledgers show large purchases of spruce tops from a Vermont mill between 1949 and 1952, which provides strong evidence that the non-Sitka ‘Mystery Tops’ are indeed red spruce, as many have long believed. Beyond that, these 1953 guitars sound noticeably different - and noticeably better - than their Sitka-topped brethren. This ’53 000-18 is easily among the best sounding post-war 000s we’ve had through the store. As compared to a Sitka 000-18 from the early 1950s, this 1953 version offers a wider and more balanced sonic range with looser, drier, and more present basses, sweeter and less compressed mids, and stronger, less-wiry tinged unwound string tone. It has a wonderfully dynamic voice, with the dry snap and increased power of red spruce, lovely definition, a clean and clear fundamental, strong bass register and a full top-end.

This example is in excellent condition, with original finish, bridge and plate, tuners, and nut. It’s a crack-free guitar that has never needed any structural repairs or braces reglued, and it’s had a clean neck reset and refret in recent years. The bone saddle, bridge pins, and frets are the only non-original parts on this 000-18.

Mahogany back and sides, tortoise-shell celluloid bindings and pickguard, rosewood fingerboard and full height bridge; modern Antique Acoustic style 18 unslotted bridge pins, original Kluson style 210 tuners, and original ivory nut.

Comfortably rounded neck with a smoothed-out V carve, 1-11/16” nut and 24.9” scale. Neck thickness at the 1st fret is .857”. Set-up in shop with 12-54 strings and a 12th fret action of 5-7 64ths.

With modern hardshell case