I have bought and sold quite a few guitars to get to my “few” keepers. One of those that i regret selling along the way was a 1955 Martin 00-18. I really like the 00 size and the fundamental sound of that spruce/mahogany model. I did have trouble adjusting to the relatively narrow string spacing, and that was how i rationalized selling it. However, i kept thinking about it and began to wonder about getting a more recent version of that model Martin. (I have to admit that the Martin mystique was part of the attraction.)
Anyway, while browsing for Martin 00-18 and 000-18 guitars on the internet, i came across a 2011 000-18 Golden Era 1937 for an incredibly low price. I had read praises for this particular Martin model, which replicates some of the features of prewar 000-18s, such as thinner braces and an Adirondack spruce top. It also has a more modern 1 3/4″ nut (and thus slightly wider string spacing). Although i would have preferred a natural top to the sunburst, and no electronic pickup, those two features generally add a couple of hundred dollars to the used price.
The guitar was for sale for about $600 under the typical price for such a model and year. It did have some bad finish damage around the endpin, but otherwise was in immaculate condition. Knowing that i could get the finish repaired, i quickly ordered it. It sounded great, so i took it to Ken Jones (a luthier whose shop is just west of Asheville) for the repair — less than $200.
I’m very happy with it. In fact, it has become my favorite guitar (although my recently acquired Martin 00-18 Authentic is coming on strong, both for tone and comfortable size). It sounds great fingerpicking or strumming, with excellent tone, and enough different from that of Olivia and Taz to be worth keeping. I keep it tuned a full step down because it sounds particularly rich in the lower tuning and because a number of songs that i like to sing work for me in B flat.
And it is a Martin, after all 😉