All those who think C.F. Martin & Co. is a name exclusively synonymous with the square-shoulder dreadnaught need to take this awesome 2020 0-18 12-Fret from the company's Custom Shop a whirl - this small-bodied menace proves beyond a shadow of any doubt that the Nazareth-based manufacturer excel at fingerpicking instruments, too. Just like the now-discontinued Standard Series 0-18, this lightly customized version features a spruce top with a mahogany neck, back, and sides and a short, 24-and-7/8ths scale for a punchy and balanced tone without any stridency or grating treble response. The only alterations made at the Martin Custom Shop were the 12-fret neck, slotted headstock, and traditional narrowed upper bout, as is commonly seen on 12-fret instruments. Visual appointments also remain in line with Martin's 18 Series, including the tortoise pickguard, binding, and abalone fingerboard inlays.

This instrument arrived in our store in excellent condition, with overall cosmetic wear well below the norm for an instrument with a few years of playing time. There is some very light scuffing on the binding on the lower bout's bass side, likely from impact. Other cosmetic wear is negligible, and there is no structural damage to the guitar whatsoever. The set up is excellent, with comfortable and playable action in all positions and a straight neck. Included in the price is the original hard-shell case.

Specifications

Top Wood: Sitka spruce
Back and Sides Wood: Mahogany 
Width at Nut: 1.75"
Bracing Pattern: Scalloped X bracing
Scale Length: 24.88" 
Frets to Body: 12
Fingerboard and Bridge Wood: Ebony
Body Binding: Tortoise
Rosette: Classic multi-ring
Headplate Material: Rosewood
Headstock Inlay / Logo: C.F. Martin & Co. printed logotype
Neck Binding: None
Neck Shape: Modified low oval
Fingerboard Side Dots: 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 17th frets 
Fingerboard Inlay: Abalone dots at 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, and 15th frets
Pickguard: Tortoise
Tuners: Grover nickel open-gear
Electronics: None
Case: Original hard-shell case