1944 Martin 000-18
Martin’s ebony-rod 1944 guitars have a well-earned reputation as some of the company’s best sounding instruments, particularly so amongst the non-dreadnought models. With their combination of scalloped-braced Adirondack red spruce tops and lightweight necks that have ebony, rather than steel, reinforcement, these wartime Martins have a unique and distinctive tone that’s dark, resonant and incredibly lush.
This 1944 000-18 is one of these lightweight tone-wonders. Weighing in at a little less than 3.4 lbs, it’s a guitar that spills over with low-end warmth and openness, and it responds incredibly well to a light to medium attack. It’s set-up perfectly, too, with new frets and saddle, and plays very easily with a comfortably low action of 5-6 64ths with light strings.
Original finish throughout, original bridge and bridgeplate, less than average playwear. There are 3 repaired top cracks south of the bridge, the pickguard margin crack has been glued and cleated, and cracks along the edges of the fingerboard extension have been glued and properly reinforced. There are no bracing repairs. The back is crack-free, there is a single 3” long side-crack on the treble-side lower bout, and the endpin hole has been plugged after the removal of a pickup. New frets, saddle, and set-up by our shop. The tuning machines are StewMac Golden Age restoration Klusons, which were installed without modification.
The neck has a compact feel and a nut-width of 1.67”. The carve is quite rounded and is very comfortable. 24.9” scale, 2-1/8” string spread at the bridge.
With hardshell case
This 1944 000-18 is one of these lightweight tone-wonders. Weighing in at a little less than 3.4 lbs, it’s a guitar that spills over with low-end warmth and openness, and it responds incredibly well to a light to medium attack. It’s set-up perfectly, too, with new frets and saddle, and plays very easily with a comfortably low action of 5-6 64ths with light strings.
Original finish throughout, original bridge and bridgeplate, less than average playwear. There are 3 repaired top cracks south of the bridge, the pickguard margin crack has been glued and cleated, and cracks along the edges of the fingerboard extension have been glued and properly reinforced. There are no bracing repairs. The back is crack-free, there is a single 3” long side-crack on the treble-side lower bout, and the endpin hole has been plugged after the removal of a pickup. New frets, saddle, and set-up by our shop. The tuning machines are StewMac Golden Age restoration Klusons, which were installed without modification.
The neck has a compact feel and a nut-width of 1.67”. The carve is quite rounded and is very comfortable. 24.9” scale, 2-1/8” string spread at the bridge.
With hardshell case