1931 Martin 0-18K
Serial # 48998. An exquisite, crack-free and beautifully converted Koa 0-18 from one of Martin Guitars' best years. This particular instrument is a local find, and arrived at Folkway in its original case and with its original serial-numbered price tag. Built for Hawaiian playing, it originally featured flush-frets, a high nut and straight saddle. It has recently been converted in our shop, and is now set-up for standard playing -- which it does with immeasurable grace and tone.
Figured koa body, with wooden style 18 trimmings -- rosewood bindings, ebony and maple purflings and rosette, ebony fingerboard, bridge, and nut, Waverly tuning machines. Apart from modifications involved in converting the guitar to Spanish style, there have been no repairs. The bridge is an exact reproduction made by us, with bone saddle and modern Antique Acoustic pins; neck reset, fingerboard radiussed to 20" and refretted with modern bar-fret wire, original nut carved down and re-profiled.
The guitar plays exceptionally well and is set up with regular light gauge strings and standard fingerstyle action (5 to 6 64ths at the 12 fret). Its tone is ethereal -- with piano-like overtones, exceptional clarity, full body, and a rich mid-range.
With original chipboard case
Figured koa body, with wooden style 18 trimmings -- rosewood bindings, ebony and maple purflings and rosette, ebony fingerboard, bridge, and nut, Waverly tuning machines. Apart from modifications involved in converting the guitar to Spanish style, there have been no repairs. The bridge is an exact reproduction made by us, with bone saddle and modern Antique Acoustic pins; neck reset, fingerboard radiussed to 20" and refretted with modern bar-fret wire, original nut carved down and re-profiled.
The guitar plays exceptionally well and is set up with regular light gauge strings and standard fingerstyle action (5 to 6 64ths at the 12 fret). Its tone is ethereal -- with piano-like overtones, exceptional clarity, full body, and a rich mid-range.
With original chipboard case