Martin / 1935 Model 00-18
Do you find yourself longing for the ultimate vintage tone of an original pre-war Martin, yet feel overwhelmed by the large body of a Dreadnought, or hesitate to purchase a high-priced museum piece due to concerns about its practicality?
Considered the pinnacle of acoustic guitar history, 1930s models are the object of desire that every player dreams of holding at least once.
However, when playing delicate fingerpicking or the blues, the low end from a large body can become too unruly, making it difficult to control.
On the other hand, even if you acquire one of the excellent reissue models available today, you’ll never be able to achieve the authentic, aged resonance created by the passage of nearly a century, nor the overwhelming responsiveness emanating from a body as light as a feather.
This 1935 Martin 00-18 is the ultimate masterpiece that satisfies the longing of players striving for that pinnacle, balancing historical value with perfect playability in real-world settings.
⚫︎The Golden Era: The Historic Pinnacle of Acoustic Guitars
The 1930s are known as Martin’s Golden Era and represent the most historically significant period during which the basic structure of the modern acoustic guitar was perfected.
This 1935 model embodies the uncompromising craftsmanship of the era—featuring the deeply carved scalloped X-bracing characteristic of the pre-war period and a body structure finished to be surprisingly light—and carries immense value as a historical legacy.
⚫︎The ultimate mellow tone honed by nearly 90 years of aging
Nearly 90 years have passed since its manufacture in 1935, and the carefully selected spruce top and mahogany sides and back have aged to the extreme, allowing the entire instrument to function as a single resonating body.
The astonishingly quick response—where the air seems to vibrate with just a light pluck—and the warm, earthy, and dry tone unique to mahogany have reached a realm that cannot be replicated even with the latest technology.
⚫︎The Perfect Balance of the 00 Size
The 00 size, which is easy to hold and fits neatly against the body, causes the player absolutely no stress even during long playing sessions.
Yet, thanks to the construction unique to pre-war models, it boasts explosive volume unimaginable for such a compact size, along with a perfect sound balance where each string stands out clearly without muddiness, bringing out the utmost expressiveness in blues, ragtime, and delicate solo guitar playing.
Original Martin guitars manufactured during the Golden Era of the 1930s are sought after by collectors worldwide, and the total number available on the market has already dwindled to almost nothing.
Among them, a 1935 00-18 that remains in good enough condition for modern playing is extremely rare; if you miss this opportunity, there’s no telling when you’ll ever get another chance to play one—it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime miracle.
Please experience firsthand the pre-war aura that embodies the very history of the acoustic guitar, along with the ultimate vintage tone cultivated over approximately 90 years.
Please feel free to contact us for details on the instrument’s condition or to arrange a trial play.
[Specs/Included Case]
TOP: Spruce
BACK/SIDES: Mahogany
FINGERBOARD/BRIDGE: Rosewood
NECK: Mahogany
NUT WIDTH: 44mm
SCALE: 634mm
CASE: Non-Original Hard Shell Case
[Repair/Modification History / Replaced Parts / Cosmetic Condition, etc.]
*As this is a used/vintage item, the information provided is based on our inspection.
Please be aware of this in advance.
The condition shows fine weather checking and scratches from playing, indicating that it has been cherished and played over a long history.
- The saddle and frets have been replaced.
- There are signs that a neck reset was performed in the past.
- The heel cap has been replaced.
[Playing Condition]
- String action at the 12th fret: 2.5 mm on the 6th string side, 2.0 mm on the 1st string side
- Saddle projection: approx. 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm
There is no muffled sound or buzzing, and the instrument plays well.
[Peace of Mind Warranty: 6 Months]
[Mail-Order Assurance Service]
Since we cannot offer customers the opportunity to try out the instrument when purchasing by mail order, we provide a 6-day trial period after the product arrives.
Please take your time to try out the product at home, and if you are not satisfied, we will refund the purchase price.
*The customer is responsible for round-trip shipping costs.
