1933 0-18 Martin guitar 54081

1933 Martin 0-18

1933 Martin 0-18 back

 

Finger picker’s dream: 0-18 Martin Guitar from 1933!

1933 0-18  Martin 54081

So much sound coming from such a small guitarI It must be heard to be believed!  For many players, especially those who work in the recording studio, the 0-size martins present the perfect balance between treble, mids and bass.  These first generation 14-fret models are considered among the greatest of the 0-size martins! This amazing guitar exhibits such original features as Adirondack spruce top; Honduran mahogany back, sides and neck; ebony fingerboard with small dot position markers; fingerboard width of 1 3/4 at nut and 2 3/16 at 12th fret; Brazilian Rosewood peg head overlay with  “C.F. Martin & Co. Est. 1833” scroll transfer and “C. F. Martin / Nazareth, PA” stamp on back of peg head; black acetate bindings on top and back; ebony bridge; acetate tortoise-shell colored teardrop pickguard and the scalloped X-bracing system. This is one of the easiest playing guitars we have with an action of .070 at the 12th fret with less than .02 neck relief at the 8th fret; all this is achieved with no fret buzz! The original ebony support rod remains intact, but a compression re-fret has added stability to the neck. At some point, the back of the neck may have been refinished (at least oversprayed) from heel to volute and we suspect a period correct fingerboard was installed outfitted with T frets (bar frets would have been standard for this guitar in ‘33).  The work is so well done, we missed it on first inspection and the feathering vetween the new finish and the old on the back of the peghead is masterful. The stamp remains completely original and undisturbed.  Whatever the explanation, the playability is very smooth.   Except for the neck, the guitar has original finish throughout; there are two grain-line cracks in the top on either side of the fingerboard and the one on the bass side shows through the rosette.  These cracks have been professionally repaired with cleats underneath the top and the popsicle brace added so such stress would not happen again.  Otherwise, the guitar is crack free and has needed no additional repair other than neck set.  As a player, this 0-18 delights in every way, a truly balanced finger-style player’s dream come true. 

Ready for delivery this is a fingerpickers dream and a collector’s prize.  Please inquire for price and terms:

mandolincentral@gmail.com

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