C. F. Martin 00-18V Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (2009), ser. #1391874, original black hard shell case.

C. F. Martin 00-18V Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (2009), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 1391874, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, original black hard shell case.

This "shade top" Martin 00-18V is a discontinued model, built as part of Martin's "Vintage Series" from 2003 to 2016. This one was shipped directly to an artist in 2009 and has been gigged but generally well cared for. The "V" series were specifically intended to replicate the original 1930s specifications of the model; the mahogany 00-18 was about the lowest-priced guitar accorded this "Vintage" treatment. According to the original owner, Martin's dick Boak told him this sunburst model had to be run up especially for the order as so few were made.

The top is solid Sitka spruce with scalloped X-bracing, the back and sides solid mahogany. The deep shaded sunburst top is much closer to the original "shade top" specs than many Martin attempts, and has a very rich look. The neck profile is quite authentic, what Martin calls "Pronounced modified V-shape" and is fitted with a (non-vintage spec) adjustable truss rod. The fingerboard and bridge are ebony, a spec this model lost originally before WWII. The trim is the traditional dark-edged Style 18 look with a nicely done vintage tortoise-look pickguard. The guitar is currently adapted as a stage performance instrument, weighed down a bit by two separate pickup systems (an L.R. Baggs Anthem and a K&K) but still sings "unplugged" with a sweet midrange-y tone.

Overall length is 39 1/8 in. (99.4 cm.), 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).

This 15+ year old Martin shows mostly just light general wear with one repaired impact crack to the upper side at the turn of the bass bout, sealed and finished over. Apart from that there are only small scuffs, dings and handling marks. The following modifications were made for performance purposes: There was a strap button added to the heel and two separate jacks mounted, one an endpin jack and the second a standard phone jack on the side just below it. The Baggs Anthem pickup has a soundhole control unit mounted above the strings and runs to the lower jack; the K&K is wired straight to the endpin jack. These two systems can be used either/or single or together in stereo! Overall a very nice, great looking and superb playing smaller body mahogany Martin, the perfect gigger fully ready to go on tour or just lay back and enjoy on the couch! Excellent Condition.