Martin| 00-18G | 1941 | SN:77641
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Luthier Facts :
Name: Martin
Location: Nazereth, PA
Wait list: Sockists Worldwide
Taking Orders?: Yes, standard & customs
RIYL: Martin have set the benchmark for a lot of builders and manufacturers.
Note: (RIYL) Recommended If You Like
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This is an example of a relatively rare 41 Martin 00-18G guitar with a spruce top and mahogany body. However, this guitar was designed for classical style with gut strings. This model shares similar aesthetic specifications as the standard 0018 but instead of the pin belly bridge, it has a classical tie block and slightly simplier decoration.
The prior owner has this to say about the guitar ” This World War II era baby has a rich tone and a rich history. It has a low comfortable action in every position and there’s room left under the saddle. It has a nice tone.
The neck is straight with no bowing whatsoever. The same model was sold at the the Christies Auction of Eric Claptons’ guitars in 2004 for $27,000.
Clapton commented though that he used this guitar a lot because of it’s rich tone and ease of playing. He said that the gut strings make it an ideal solo instrument, and a great house guitar.
This guitar has a history of it’s own though. It was given to my Dad by Woody Guthrie in 1949, who had met and played with Guthrie on several “hootenannys” as they were called back then. They were both living in New York at the time and had been in the Merchant Marines together. My Dad went on to move out west where he played this guitar around the San Fransisco Bay area up to and including the 1960’s Haight-Ashbury days, standing in with a lot of musicians of the day but he was considered an old fart by then.
I wish I had something better than the stories from my dad and few pics that have my dad with Woody but without this particular guitar in the same pictures, & my families recollections of all his stories.
During those days, my dad apparently didn’t travel with much more than his clothes and this guitar. No old books,pictures,records albums, etc. He wasn’t a “collector”, and not much more than a road hobo.As was Woody I guess.
Resources: See more 00 sized Martin guitars:
1910 00-28
1923 00-18K
1931 00-18
Anyway, back to the guitar, it has a Martin serial number of #77641. It is in very good condition and has the wear that you would expect on a guitar of this age. It has two hairline cracks on the upper left on the top which do NOT affect the sound or tone and have been there for as long as I can remember.
I am not sure if this is the original case that went with the guitar when Woody gave it too him but it sure is “well worn”. It is a velvet lined hard case and the leather is peeling up in several spots but it clasps and closes just fine.”
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Pictures kind courtesy of haulnoatsco
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Hi Terence,
I am the proud owner of a Martin #0018G made in
1960 serial #178709. I agree with you on the sound of this beauty. Not many guitars can equal that rich bass, wide neck and compact body. I have the same crack on the top behind the bridge.
The bridge I have looks like a replacement. Not like yours at all. Still I’ll keep it. Bought it
used in Miami for $300. Martin says it values it
in mint condition at 2,000.00
Hi Terence,
I am the new owner of this guitar and would like to contact the prior owner, who wrote this article, if that’s possible. Could you give him my email address and tell him I’d like to correspond?
Thanx!