1937 0-18 - $3850
1937 MARTIN 0-18
There is a reason that Martin picked the year 1937 as the prototype to produce their “Authentic” series. While pretty much all pre-war Martins (1944 and before) are great, the 1937 was a special year. If you check the 2018 Official Vintage Guitar Price Guide, the guitars made in 1937 have the highest values on virtually every model Martin has ever made.
Maybe it was the batch of wood they used. Maybe it was the scalloped braces. Maybe it was the craftsmanship. But whatever magical ingredients converged - it was the best guitar maker in the world at it’s zenith.
This ‘37 0-18 has all of the hallmarks of a classic vintage Martin - dry wood that produces that warm and dry sound, light as a feather, feels like you’ve been playing it your whole life and the sense that you are holding a piece of history in your hands.
Now almost every time someone is selling a smaller body guitar they mention that “for it’s size, it’s a cannon”, etc. Well, as you know, an 0-18 or 00-18 is not going to produce as much low end as a D-18. However, I have played and owned many, many 0-18’s, 00-18’s and 000-18’s (as well as a killer 1947 D-18), and the volume, play-ability & tone of this guitar is among the very best. And THE best 0-18.
This is obviously not a guitar to put in a museum of never played instruments. However, it is totally structurally sound and needs no work at all.
Here are some of the particulars…
It features the highly coveted advanced x-braces. The top is Adirondack
Spruce. And, of course, scalloped braces.
Body and neck are mahogany, fingerboard and bridge (repro) are ebony. Tuners are original.
The fingerboard measures a hair under 1 3/4" at the nut, and string spacing is 2 5/16" at the saddle. Scale length is all of 25", and the intonation is excellent.
Recent repairs include a period exact ebony bridge and maple bridge plate (Kovacik). The pick guard was removed and a crack was glued and the pick guard reattached; some tight cracks in the waist and bout area were glued; a small dent/chip-out hole was filled in the lower bass bout; frets were leveled and dressed neck reset; one back brace glued.
Although the top shows great wear and scratching, there are no other top cracks other than the pick guard crack mentioned. You can also see a little outline from a prior over-size bridge. Back and sides show considerable nicks and dings, but the neck is very smooth and soft in the hand. There is an original decal from the store in which the guitar was first purchased on the back of the head stock, a nice piece of guitar history. Original tuners, ivory nut and saddle remain on the guitar. Missing its end pin. As stated already, this guitar is very structurally sound.
There is a video below of me playing this '37 0-18.
Comes with a new deluxe hard case designed to perfectly fit a Martin size 0 guitar nice and snug.
You walk in anywhere with this guitar and it will attract more attention than just about any other brand or model there. It has a super cool look. Some guitar makers are now offering “distressed” models - new guitars made to look old and broken in. Well, this is the real thing, the original, from the greatest year, by the best guitar maker in the world.
If you want to buy it, just email me at Russ@MartinVintageGuitars.com and let me know!
The 1937 Martin 0-18.
Below is a video with me playing this '37 0-18. For the most accurate and realistic sound, use an HDMI cord to hook up your computer to play through your TV’s sound system.
