1937 00-18
I really don't want to sell this guitar. This is by far the coolest looking old Martin I'v'e ever had and maybe that I've ever seen. And the sound - that 72 year old wood and those scalloped braces, man do they combine to create one awesome vintage Martin. This is the loudest 00 you'll find. And the sound is so woody and bright and full and authentic.
While this old pre-war 00-18 certainly shows some mileage, it is solid structurally. There is a small crack on the top and a small one on the back that need to be cleated. All the other myriad scratches and lines and wear are just cosmetic. There is a repaired crack on the side - it's on the top of the upper bout, on the high E string side. You can see a place in one of the pictures below where there is a dark area where it has been worked on. It is all solid and stable.
Everything is original except for the bridge and the tuners. The perfect replica bridge has been placed for perfect intonation. And the new Waverly retro tuners not only look cool, but they are exceptionally precise.
The neck is 1 11/16, but it feels just a slight bit wider or thicker than usual to me.
The distance from the bottom of the low E string to the top of the 12th fret is 5/32". The distance from the bottom of the high E string to the top of the 12th fret is 1/8".
The saddle has plenty of room to be lowered if so desired.
This old 00-18 has just had a neck reset.
I have two cases that you can choose from - one is old, beat up and doesn't provide much protection and it's free. The other is a super strong and very nice quality black hardshell that this 00-18 fits into nice and snug. It will cost you an extra $200.
The 2009 Official Vintage Guitar Price Guide gives a 1937 00-18 in excellent condition a value of $6500. It's hard to describe this guitar's "condition" in the usual ways. Some people want an unplayed pre-war Martin to collect or to put in a museum. This is not the one for them! Other people want a vintage Martin that sounds awesome and looks like it's been drug behind a truck for a couple of years. If that's you, then you have finally found the guitar you've always wanted!
Like I said, I really don't want to sell this great guitar. But economic times being what they are, I'm willing to part with it for $5500. I could change my mind so you'd better act fast. I'm not kidding.
