For Sale Or Trade: 2008 Martin 000-18 GE (Golden Era) - Sold

[Steve-arino]

Simply a great 2008 Martin 000-18 Golden Era guitar. If I were looking for a Martin 000-18 guitar, I'd bypass anything new and just buy this one. Unless of course you can afford the new 000-18 Authentic ($7500). Price for this guitar is $3699 (now $xxxx 3/22) plus shipping and paypal fee, CONUS only.

Some of the many upgrades on this guitar include:

Solid Adirondack top
Modified V w/ 30s Style Heel. This is a wider neck than "regular" 000-18's. Great for fingerstyle.
Brazilian Rosewood Headplate
Golden Era Style bracing
Brazilian Rosewood Back purfling
Solid Black Ebony fretboard

There is a bit of checking on the upper right hand bout. A few swirl marks. Overall, it's really in excellent condition, especially for a 16 year old guitar.

Take your time, scour the internet for reviews, comparisons, etc. A few on Reverb now. There are threads on the UMGF. Here's one:

https://umgf.com/000-18-golden-era-1...i-t158277.html

Just back from a complete setup by my friend, luthier and tech Larry Fitzgerald. The best. https://www.fitzgeraldguitars.com/about

I pulled the below specs from Maury's Guitar shop (great Martin shop). One of my pictures show's the 000-18GE beside my Martin 000-28CAA. While the wood is different and the GE is not an "Authentic" model, they are similar in many respects. My 000-18GE guitar is in excellent condition.

MODEL Martin 000-18 Golden Era 1937
CONSTRUCTION: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint
BODY SIZE: 000-14 Fret
TOP: Solid Adirondack Spruce
ROSETTE: Old Style 18
TOP BRACING PATTERN: Standard ''X'' Scalloped (Golden Era Style)
TOP BRACES: Solid Adirondack Spruce 1/4''
BACK MATERIAL: Solid Genuine Mahogany
BACK PURFLING: Solid Brazilian Rosewood Strip
SIDE MATERIAL: Solid Genuine Mahogany
ENDPIECE: Delmar Tortoise Color - Brown
ENDPIECE INLAY: none
BINDING: Tortoise Color
TOP INLAY STYLE: Multiple Black/White Boltaron
SIDE INLAY: none
BACK INLAY: none
NECK MATERIAL: Select Hardwood
NECK SHAPE: Modified V w/ 30s Style Heel
NUT MATERIAL: Bone
HEADSTOCK: Solid/Square Taper
HEADPLATE: Solid Brazilian Rosewood /Golden Era Style
HEELCAP: Solid Black Ebony
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony
SCALE LENGTH: 24.9''
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1-3/4''
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2-1/4''
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: Old Style 18
FINGERBOARD BINDING: none
FINISH BACK & SIDES: Polished Gloss
FINISH TOP: Polished Gloss w/ Aging Toner
FINISH NECK: Satin
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Solid Black Ebony
BRIDGE STYLE: 1930s Style Belly w/ Long Saddle
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2-5/16''
SADDLE: 16'' Radius/Long Bone
TUNING MACHINES: Nickel Open-Geared w/ Oval Buttons
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge (MSP7100)
BRIDGE & END PINS: Solid Black Ebony
PICKGUARD: Delmar Tortoise Color - Beveled & Polished
CASE: 533E Geib style
INTERIOR LABEL: Signed by CFM IV

[Steve-arino]

Bump for a very nice Martin. No binding separation :-).

[Steve-arino]

Time for a bump. $3499 + shipping.

[Steve-arino]

$3399 plus shipping. I've had some very nice trade offers but this time I need to sell. This is a great opportunity for someone that wants a high end Martin.

I promised myself I'd get down to 3 guitars......

[Steve-arino]

Plays and sounds like a mahogany version of my 000-28 Custom Authentic Aged. Condition is like an under the bed relic. I'm surprised this hasn't sold yet. No trades please!

Same guitar (not mine) in this short clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojyVGkTLbLs

"Martin guitars from the "Golden Era" (pre-World War II) are some of the most prized and coveted instruments on the planet. The 000-18 Golden Era 1937 embodies the spirit of those classic guitars with top-grade tonewoods and period-correct touches (like 1934-style bracing with cloth side strips). And the sound is rich yet detailed, with incredible focus and balanced tonality."

Anytime Martin returns to the build techniques and tonewoods that made their guitars so beloved in the first place, it's sure to be good, and this Golden Era 1937 mahogany 000 is no exception. All solid Adirondack spruce and mahogany, forward-shifted X-bracing, and vintage appointments deliver up balanced, warm tone with a classic look.

[Steve-arino]

$3299 plus shipping and paypal. Set up by the best tech on Long Island (as I do with all my guitars - I have them set up by Larry Fitzgerald). I only want 3 guitars and I have 4.

As close to new as you'll find in a 16 year old guitar. I can send whatever hi res pics are requested.

[Steve-arino]

One more time with gusto! You can find all the information you want on the UMGF (Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum).

Here are some snippets.

000-18 Golden Era 1937 Production Totals, 2006-2013

2006: 238 + 1 L 81,937
2007: 198 + 1 L 70,292
2008: 84 + 1 L 68,951
2009: 59 + 1 L 69,673
2010: 29 + 1 L 66,746
2011: 74 82,306
2012: 75 100,975
2013: 85 + 3 L 98,784

Grand Total: 842 + 8 L

Martin took measurements from two 1937 000-18 to create the GE's prototype in late 2005: a shaded top from Fred Oster Vintage Instruments of Philadelphia and a natural top owned by UMGF member Mac Carter. Although Martin specifies aging toner in the top finish, it's barely noticeable. Most GE tops in 2006-07 were medium grain, a few with a hint of bearclaw. The Delmar tortoise pick guard pattern on your GE is unique, no two alike.

[Steve-arino]

$3299 as of 3/20/24.

[Steve-arino]

Time to sell. Thanks for looking.

[Steve-arino]

I'm surprised this is still here.

Trade for a L-00 "ish" size, lightweight, solid build. Must have excellent playability. 1.75 neck (or thereabout, preferably not wider). I don't care about bling (would rather simple). A couple of minor dings, etc, not a big deal.

If you have something wonderful that is less expensive and you want to kick in some cash, we can talk.

Weight is 3.93 lbs by the way.

My price of $2999 for a $ deal won't be changing.

Have a nice Easter!

[Steve-arino]

I'll leave up for a few more days. Assume it's unavailable after 4/10. Thanks.

[T Texas]

I had a 2011 18ge on here a month or 2 ago for weeks, not a bite. Sold on Reverb in 2 days. Not sure what's up with the market here on AGF.
GLWS.

[KenL]

That's a great price for an outstanding guitar!

[Steve-arino]

Thanks Tybor and Ken. Not a bite (a few trade offers though). I had it on reverb, took it off last week. Too many "messages" that took time to respond to.

I thought this would be sold within a day or two; guess I was wrong. Not the first time, and I'm sure not the last.

[AlreadyStrechin]

Hi Steve I’m interested in your guitar! I’ve played the new custom authentic you mentioned and like it a lot, but again like you mentioned the price it too steep. This ge model seems to me like to closest alternative. Did you had a chance to compare the two? Also can you tell me more about that check in the top right corner - looks like a small bump but I can’t be sure.

Are you located around NY area? If so can we arrange a meet up to test drive?