Martin 000-18 1938, Natural
$30,000.00
| Instrument | OM and Auditorium |
| Brand | Martin |
| Model | 000-18 |
| Finish | Natural |
| SKU | GF10844-A |
| Handedness | Right |
| Made In Year | 1938 |
| Top | Adirondack Spruce |
| Back and Sides | Mahogany |
| Neck/Fingerboard | Mahogany, Ebony |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Tuners | Original Grover |
| Radius | 17" |
| Neck Profile | V |
| Neck Depth | .840"-1.049" |
| Scale Length | 25" |
| Nut Width | 1.741" |
| String Spacing at Saddle | 2.307" |
| Contains Brazilian Rosewood (Y/N) | Y |
| Electronics | None |
| Case | HSC (newer TKL) |
| Modifications/Repairs | Previous neck reset, re-fret, full light overspray; replaced bridge, bridge ramped, top crack below fingerboard glued, side cracks glued and secured, large patch on the side from previous pickup jack, heel block capped, original bridge plate with reinforcement; a few extra holes in the peghead from eyelets straps. |
| Condition Notes | Well-aged and worn, and might have had contact with moisture (possibly from a case) on the sides at some point, but in completely stable condition. |
This 1938 Martin 000-18 stands as a pre-war example from one of the most sought-after periods in Martin’s history, with only a few hundred instruments produced that year. The 000 14-fret body pairs a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, supported by forward-shifted scalloped bracing that contributes to a responsive, open character. Instruments from this era are widely regarded for their light build and early bracing patterns, which were revised shortly afterward.
This guitar has undergone notable restoration work over its lifetime, including a full (light) overspray, a previous neck reset, re-fret, replaced and ramped bridge. Additional repairs include a glued top crack below the fingerboard, multiple side cracks that have been secured, a bridge plate patch, and a capped heel block. A large patch on the side—likely from a former pickup jack installation—remains visible.
Its condition is reflective of age and use, with notable wear throughout and signs of possible past moisture exposure on the sides. However, the instrument remains structurally stable and set up with perfect playability. A well-preserved and notably scarce pre-war 000-18, carrying the character and history expected of a guitar from this period.
Includes modern TKL hard shell case.
