Martin 000-18 (1943)

This wonderful-sounding 1943 Martin 000-18 was discovered by our consigning owner in a pawn shop outside Las Vegas many years ago. And like "The D-18 Song," about a guitarist discovering a '43 D-18 in a pawn shop, intones ~ we believe this is about the best thing Mr. Martin ever did!

The guitar was all-original when discovered, and has since had a neck reset and refret (with EVO wire) by luthier Joe Konkoly. The work is expert-level, and the guitar plays beautifully up and down the fretboard. Aside from that work, the guitar is as it was in 1943 (with the expected wear and finish checking, of course). The neck support rod is ebony, making this a super-lightweight guitar with a big, tactile responsiveness. All internal components, including bracing and bridge plate, are original and very clean.

Why do we love this? In a word? Tone. The sound is supremely warm and balanced, with incredible projection under a flatpick for a small-bodied guitar. If you favor the narrower neck and woody response of an early 40's Martin, this may well be your grail guitar. Priced with contemporary tweed Harptone case.