Sound Pure's Take

What a stunning piece!

This rare, long-scale 000 has quickly become a staff favorite, a guitar we will never forget. Apparently, Martin only built about a thousand of these between 1900 and 1931, the majority of which were built in 1926 (like this one).

It's been played and well loved. It's got the kind of wear you'd expect on a vintage instrument of this age, along with one replaced brass tuner (like a pirate with one gold tooth). It was either repaired or re-sold at 336 E 22nd Street in New York at some point in its life (a distressed label inside the soundhole can attest to that).

Its tone is ancient and wise. We love those woody, shimmering overtones that age coaxes out of mahogany. The Adirondack spruce top is responsive and extremely precise. The neck has a V-profile that's very accommodating for finger-style. We can only imagine the stories that this guitar could tell! But there's certainly some residue of its illustrious history contained within the tone itself.

Condition: Used, Good - Neck reset and bridge replaced at Martin factory in 2009 (original bridge included), significant wear consistent with an instrument of its age. Silk & Steel or xtra-light strings pitched 1/2 step down HIGHLY recommended. There are three hairline top cracks repaired at the factory. It has also been over sprayed. The bridge plate is original.

1926

Serial Number
25074
Scale
25.4”
Total length
39 1/4”
Waist
8 7/8”
Body length
20 ¼”
Depth
3 15/16th”
Upper Bout
10 ¾”
Lower Bout
15”
Nut Width
1 27/32"

Watch & listen

Martin 1926 000-18 Vintage Acoustic Guitar #25074

Sound Pure guitar expert Robinson Earle takes us on a voyage with the oldest guitar currently in the shop, a vintage 1926 Martin 000-18. This guitar is in good shape for it's age. It's been well loved and has the kind of... Read more

Sound Pure guitar expert Robinson Earle takes us on a voyage with the oldest guitar currently in the shop, a vintage 1926 Martin 000-18. This guitar is in good shape for it's age. It's been well loved and has the kind of wear you'd expect on an instrument of this age, along with one replaced brass tuner (like a pirate with one gold tooth). The Adirondack Spruce top is responsive and extremely precise. The neck has a V-profile that's very accommodating for finger-style.

Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

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