Thinking about a 00-18
 

If the stock market is good to me, I am thinking of re-living my high school days. A childhood friend had/still has a 1942 Martin 00-18 which I think specs out as having a belly bridge, 14-fret, rear-shifted scalloped bracing, rosewood fingerboard. We used to play back in the old computer room during 6th period. Doubt he'll ever sell it, as he's a player, & has family significance as it was his dad's guitar.

I'd like a guitar that sounds like this vintage Martin (1943 00-18):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDLWQndZ9ZY



Hard & expensive to find a vintage one in good condition.

Is there a luthier who could build a suitable alternative (I might want a different profile neck, closer to my dread)?

I currently have a Musser brazilian dread, so happy enough on the rosewood end of things.

Thanks for any suggestions, in thread or PM. BTW, I'm located in Southern California, though not an issue for where the builder is.

You can’t go wrong with a 00 built by John Slobod. I have owned one of his 00 guitars for a little more than 10 years. It is my favorite guitar and John has told me that the 00 body size is one that he can consistently recreate. There is a 000 listed in the classifieds right now, you should consider it also.

I think you can still find a decent deal for a wartime Martin 00-18. I just bought a 1944 00-18 myself. It's an amazing guitar. Original except for the tuners (which were included) and frets.
While I agree you could find a small luthier to build a great 00, if you want that vintage sound, nothing other than vintage is going to provide satisfaction.

What's your max budget? Depending on how original you need, prices can range from very reasonable to fairly dear.

If vintage, I'd like in good condition (in terms of current fret & fingerboard wear) & not horribly reliced. Certainly doesn't need to be pristine or completely original. In fact, not concerned if patched, bridge replaced, changed tuners. I'd be interested if you PMed what you paid for your '44 & its condition.

If new custom, maybe I can't afford that. Because then I probably want wood bindings & harder frets, truss rod, perhaps a different neck profile.

Was hoping to spend less than $8k. I suppose that may mean a beatup, less than original vintage Martin. Seems that better condition ones are around $10k?

This one's on Reverb, a 1943 @$11k
https://reverb.com/item/11058148-mar...8-1943-natural

Keith, I PMed you. That Reverb 00 is really overpriced IMO. I'd guess it should not sell for more than $9500 if its in as perfect original condition as they state.

Keep looking; there are plenty out there.

You might also consider the 14-fret 00 guitars made by Collings and Bourgeois. They hooked me. I once had a 1943 Martin 00-18. Currently still have a 1941 0-18.

For a new, luthier built guitar, that is well within your budget, you might want to consider Leo Posch. His base price is $4700 I believe. As far as I know, he doesn't have a 14 fret 00 listed as one of his models, but I've talked to him about one for me and he will build it.

Here's a quick recording of my Posch 00 (it's a 12 fret elongated body with a 13th fret neck join), long scale, EIR and Adirondack.



Preston Thompson also makes a 14 fret 00, either long or short scale.

Martin's custom shop makes a series of "Authentics" that they went to painstaking lengths in every detail to recreate certain vintage models. They did this by studying every single aspect of the vintage model they were trying to replicate. There is an 00-18 Authentic 1931. You should definitely research them.

I have a 00-17 Authentic (shown in my current avatar) and it's a remarkable guitar. Mine had a finish issue (sloppy finish on the bass side of the neck/body join) that they agreed to fix. Unfortunately for me, they took so long to fix it that winter hit by the time it was ready and so I've been waiting for the "weather hold" to lift so they can ship back. It has to be predicted to have lows above 35 degrees for a week along the shipping path for them to ship. So, it will probably be late March or April before it comes back to me.

I paid $3500 for my Northwood L00. TorrefiedAdirondack and good old Mahogany, it fits in nicely with my Santa Cruz, Merrill,Lowden, and Brondel.

Nice woody sound and Cedar Back Braces for that moth free closet aroma.

Handmade by John McQuarrie.