Far and away the cleanest Wartime Martin we’ve had in years, this early 1945 00-18 is crack-free and in jaw-droppingly incredible condition. Beyond that, it’s a fabulous sounding instrument, with much more power and headroom than we’d have expected, a clean, clear, and focused midrange, plenty of fundamental presence and pretty much perfect string balance. 

  A transitional guitar with a serial number in the low 90,000’s, this 00-18 is one of the last Wartime Martins to feature an Adirondack red spruce top, ebony neck reinforcement, and no-bushing Kluson tuners; and it’s among the first of those built with tapered, rather than scalloped, top braces.  No doubt, it’s the combination of Adirondack spruce and tapered bracing that’s adding the power and strong fundamental to this guitar voice.

  Completely original but for a perfect neck reset and refret, new saddle and bridge pins. The work wasn’t done by us but very much meets our high standards. Original finish throughout, unmodified original bridge and bridgeplate, no cracks or repairs on the inside, original nut, tuners, and tuner buttons. Playwear is minimal, with just a small amount of light pickwear on the bass-side of the soundhole. 

  The neck has the unique 1945/6 carve, which has more depth and roundness in the first position than guitars built in later years and a full-feel higher up the neck with a slight V that becomes more present from about the 5th fret on. The nut measures 1-11/16” and the scale is 24.9”. String spread at the bridge is 2-1/8”, action is set at 5-6 64ths, and the saddle is full height. Frets show little to no wear and are dressed perfectly. Currently set up with D’Addario Nickel-Bronze Lights.

  This is a remarkable guitar and surely among the finest of its kind. It has a very rare set of features (red spruce, tapered braces, ebony neck support, thin wartime finish) that make it sonically distinctive as well as a noteworthy collectable. 

  With modern deluxe hardshell case