Vintage 1957 Martin 00-18 Acoustic Guitar w/ Case 030422

This Item is in Good Condition. Everything appears to be original, except for the case. There is some checking and minor scratches in the finish, as would be expected from a guitar of this age. Some of the finish is starting to flake off the headstock. There is a small crack under the pickguard near the bridge. The guitar is currently setup with 12 gauge strings and has medium action. The previous owner has lowered the saddle as much as possible. Includes non-original hard shell case.

It is not every day that we come across a truly remarkable piece of American history at Small Box Music (maybe every other day). But this vintage acoustic guitar certainly fits the bill. Many guitar enthusiasts and historians alike are aware that C.F. Martin is the oldest American guitar company that is still operational, founded in 1833. It is also one of the longest running family-owned businesses in the country. They are known for building some of the most iconic and respected instruments the music industry has ever known, which is a large reason why they have experienced such longevity. Famous musicians such as Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Thom Yorke, Kurt Cobain, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Eddie Vedder, and Neil Young have notably played Martin guitars, often times favoring vintage instruments like this one that were made with slightly different methods and materials and that have had the time to age and "open up" sonically. 

When this guitar was being built by hand in the the Martin guitar factory in Pennsylvania, the USSR was preparing to launch Sputnik I into orbit. It was already seven years old when The Beatles made their famous first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. It was old enough to vote the year the Vietnam War ended and old enough to drink when Elvis died (if he really did). It turned 32 when the Berlin Wall came down and hit the big 4-0 the same year that Bill Clinton began his second term as President of the United States (the same term that also saw his impeachment). Every year that passes adds a little more character and another story to tell.  It has been able to collect Social Security for three years now but is looking to come out of retirement if it finds the right partner. There is still a lot of life left in this one and it has a lot of songs left to sing. Many people say that a fine acoustic guitar sounds better with every passing year. This one has 65 years (and counting) under its belt and it most certainly sounded great the day it was built. 

• With a solid sitka spruce top and a solid mahogany back and sides, this acoustic still has plenty of clarity and brightness, with a beautifully balanced warmth due to its natural aging.

• This guitar also features Martin's 00-sized 14 fret body style, and an 1 11/16” nut width and a 24.9” scale length, which makes it extremely comfortable for long sets, jams, or recording sessions - whether you're playing rhythm or lead.

• Its vintage straight X bracing gives it great projection and volume in any setting.

• It also features tortoise-celluloid binding and a tortoise-celluloid pickguard, marks of true vintage craftsmanship and style.

• The neck is a soft-V shape made of mahogany, with a Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and pearl dot inlays - giving you a truly classic vintage vibe, in sound and feel.