Up for sale, a 1943 Martin 0-15 in excellent condition, complete with a hardshell case. This Wartime instrument is from one of Martin’s most celebrated eras of production, freshly serviced by Portland Fretworks with work due an instrument of its vintage including a neck reset, replacement carved bone saddle, and crack repairs as needed.

Introduced in 1940 as a budget-friendly entry in the Martin lineup, the 0-15 was a relatively no-frills Martin offering, featuring all mahogany construction, simple marquetry, and a satin lacquer finish. This model is perhaps best associated with Woody Guthrie, who played a 0-15 extensively (along with other more affordable Martins) and was known to give the instruments away to aspiring musicians while on tour.

Despite its relatively small size, this Martin has plenty of projection on tap. It’s exceptionally sweet and even-tempered, making this 0-15 particularly rewarding for fingerstyle playing. The all-mahogany construction results in rich, smooth growl and fundamental warmth, with a focused and woody low end presence, yet the trebles remain crisp and brilliant, ensuring exceptional balance and note definition. This 0-15 is featherweight at 3lbs 1oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings and easy-playing action.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Shape: V, measuring .850” 1st fret, .985” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, grained ivoroid dot inlays, faint finger wear behind frets 1-2
• Frets: Slender, leveled/crowned, light wear on frets 1-3
• Scale Length: 24.9”
• Nut: 1 11/16”, ebony
• Tuners: Open-gear strip, gray-plated with white buttons
• Serialization: Stamp on neck block dates to ‘43

Body Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Bracing: X (scalloped)
• Bridge: Brazilian rosewood, carved bone saddle (replacement), small maple plate (reglued, small repair)
• Pickguard: Tortoise (reseated)

There are two repaired splits on top (one to the treble-side side of the fingerboard extension and one extending up from the lower bout edge towards the bridge), a few on the rims (treble side lower bout and bass-side lower bout), and three on the back (lower bout and bass-side upper bout).

The satin nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, exhibiting tight lacquer checking and some subtle texturing of the finish on the bass-side lower bout on top. This Martin exhibits various dings and scuffs consistent with use on the body, and the neck carve is smooth and inviting to the palm with similar shallow wear.

A modern hardshell case is included.