A Martin 000-18 from 1953!

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When you think of the sound of a classic vintage guitar and what that offers, dry, woody, sweet and just a naturally pleasing tone to the ears, then this guitar delivers that and then some. It really is a lovely thing.

1953 is special year to Martin enthusiasts and that’s because it’s the year of the mystery tops. It refers to a sought-after, highly regarded series of guitars that used undocumented, non standard spruce tops (likely Adirondack or Engelmann instead of sitka) due to post-war shortages. Renowned for exceptional sound these 1953 instruments are considered among the best post-war Martin guitars. Looking at the top on this one we’re almost certain it’s an Adirondack one, as it has that slight darkened grain line and wider grain pattern look often associated with red spruce.

This guitar has playwear marks commensurate for it’s age, but most importantly it’s structurally solid and plays and sounds great, with only one small glued, non cleated, back crack and 2 other very small surface back cracks which haven’t gone through and look very stable. It appears to have had an area of over spray to the top, which is now wearing away and the neck may have been resprayed at some point as it’s not dulled as one would expect. The maple bridge plate appears to be the original one and the guitar plays fantastically well, with plenty of adjustment room on the saddle. The saddle and nut do appear original, or if a neck set was done and the saddle replaced then this was done many years ago and the guitar has remained incredibly stable since. It’s currently set up for 12-53 gauge strings, with the action on the low E string at the 12th just a shy over 2mm. There appears to have been some holes filled on the headstock facing, so we think it was perhaps hung on the wall this way at some point. For whatever reason someone would do this is beyond us, but hey, vintage guitars often come with marks that tell an interesting tale. The original kluson tuners have been replaced with some vintage grover ones. Again, this must have been done a good few years ago as the tuners appear to be almost of the time, or perhaps vintage ones were sourced when a replacement was required.

‍ All in all, this is a vintage Martin of almost 75 years that is solid as you like and plays and sounds like a charm. It has some wear, but in a character adding good way and nothing structurally to worry about. Any interested parties are more than welcome to come and check it out to give it a once over assessment.

It travels in a solid, very protective non original hard case.

Specs

Body Shape: 000/OM

Finish: Nitrocellulose

Body Material: Mahogany

Top Material: Adirondack Red Spruce (?)

Body details: b/w/b purfling surround and ebony back strip, tortoiseshell binding, style 18 multi-stripe rosette, Tortoise pickguard

Neck Material: Solid Mahogany

Fingerboard Material: Brazilian rosewood with dot fingerboard markers in mother of pearl

Scale Length: 24.9"

Neck details: Brazilian rosewood headstock veneer

Nutwidth: 1 & 11/16" or 43mm

String spacing: 2 & 3/16'' or 55.5mm String Spacing at Bridge

Bridge: Brazilian rosewood belly bridge with bone long belly saddle, Bone nut

Tuners: Vintage Grover open gear

Pickup: None

Hard Case: Yes, non original hardshell case

Overall condition: Very good for age

Additional Info: Only one glued back crack and otherwise playwear and marks, finish wear commensurate with age.