This example was built 1962, one of a total of only 300 000-18s shipped that year. It incorporates typical post-war Martin style 18 features including lovely mahogany on the back and sides, a superb straight-grained spruce top, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and tortoise celluloid body binding. Its black pickgard has been replaced. The neck is mahogany with a fairly slim “C” profile; the fingerboard inlay is mixed size dots and the tuners are open back individual Grovers with cool metal buttons. This 000 has seen some use but remains cleaner and more original than many from this period. It is an excellent fingerpicker’s instrument but also has a lot of punch and clarity as a straight rhythm machine as well. Its got no cracking anywhere & has just had its neck reset by Bob Peterson whom also made a perfect repro bridge to make it set up perfectly. She’s set up beautifully & sounds fabulous. Overall she’s excellent & comes w/her original factory Martin Hang Tag in a nice original black tolex/green lined case.
