Gruhn Guitars appraised this 1953 Martin 00-18G classical guitar (serial 131077) at $2,500 current market value, based on photos.

Condition

Structurally in excellent condition, with what appears to be the original finish. The finish shows normal age wear: lacquer checking, small impact marks, surface scratches, compression marks, and edge chipping.

Included: Soft case (see photos)

Two modifications have been made:

• A large rectangular tortoiseshell-grain pickguard was added to the top
• Mother-of-pearl floral inlays were added to the fingerboard

Specifications

• 00-size flat-top body with Sitka spruce top, fan bracing and natural finish
• Mahogany back, sides and neck
• Brazilian rosewood tie-style bridge, peghead overlay and heel cap
• 19-fret ebony fingerboard, 12 frets clear of the body, 25 ¼" scale
• Slotted peghead with gold "C.F. Martin & Co." decal on the rear
• Side-mount three-on-a-strip tuners with white buttons
• Multi-ply white and black soundhole rosette
• Multi-ply top binding and single-ply back binding, both tortoiseshell grain
• Black vinyl soft-shell case with red flannel lining

Gruhn Guitars email:
We certify the instrument described below is, in our opinion, a modified Martin style 00-18G acoustic classical guitar, made in the year 1953.
Current market value: $2,500 (two thousand five hundred dollars)

This appraisal assumes that there are no problems with the neck-set angle, fret condition, loose bracing, or bridge.