Martin OO-18...less expensive similar guitars?

Gypsyblue · #1 09-01-2014, 08:53 AM

A very good friend just returned from a songwriting workshop in Alaska.

While there, she was lent a 1947 Martin 00-18 and she fell in love with it.

She asked me if I'd help her find a small bodied guitar similar to it.

She's an extremely talented woman and deserves a fine guitar.

I'm going to start looking at Eastman and Blueridge models for her but does anyone have some other ideas? She's really smitten with the Martin 00-18 but doesn't want to spend two or three thousand dollars for one.

She can spend about $1000. Maybe a bit more.

HHP · #2 09-01-2014, 08:55 AM

When you say "similar", do you mean looks like or sounds like?

magazine · #3 09-01-2014, 09:03 AM

Would this work?
http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/5...5M_35_1848.htm

Maybe they can custom build one with a spruce top.

Teleman52 · #4 09-01-2014, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magazine

Would this work?
http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/5...5M_35_1848.htm

Maybe they can custom build one with a spruce top.

Like this?

https://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/...ay_37_2258.htm

I've seen one without a cutaway before also

Gypsyblue · #5 09-01-2014, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHP

When you say "similar", do you mean looks like or sounds like?

Both I guess.

She's a petite woman and owned a beautiful Martin D35 that she had me sell for her because it was just to big for her.

I loaned her my Blueridge BR163 and my Taylor 512 for a show she has coming up this Saturday. I'm hoping she'll love one of those.

But she's really taken with that 1947 00-18 size and sound.

One of the things she told me was how big and deep that old Martin sounded for such a small guitar.

Maybe the top was Adirondack?

I'd like to see her be happy with something like my Blueridge BR183A, which has an Adirondack top and gets a terrific sound.

But that smaller 00-18 size seems to be what she's hoping for.

Gypsyblue · #6 09-01-2014, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magazine

Would this work?
http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/5...5M_35_1848.htm

Maybe they can custom build one with a spruce top.

Thanks, but I don't think the mahogany top would work for her.

I'd love to find her something with an Adi top, but a spruce top (Adi, Sitka, Engleman maybe...) would be a must.

HHP · #7 09-01-2014, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gypsyblue

Both I guess.

She a petite woman and owned a beautiful Martin D35 that she had me sell for her because it was just to big for her.

I loaned her my Blueridge BR163 and my Taylor 512 for a show she has coming up this Saturday. I'm hoping she'll love one of those.

But she's really taken with that 1947 00-18 size and sound.

One of the things she told me was how big and deep that old Martin sounded for such a small guitar.

Maybe the top was Adirondack?

I'd like to see her be happy with something like my Blueridge BR183A, which has an Adirondack top and gets a terrific sound.

But that smaller 00-18 size seems to be what she's hoping for.

Then it's probably more a matter of searching for more money than more guitars. An original late-40's 00-18 will be more than $1000, closest substitute might be a recent 00-18V, not as much but more than $1000.

traveler77 · #8 09-01-2014, 09:46 AM

Find a Martin 00-18V on eBay or Craigslist (I did and it worked out very well.) She'll be happy with it and it will last forever. Could always sell it if needed, and probably for more than she paid.

kydave · #9 09-01-2014, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gypsyblue

A very good friend just returned from a songwriting workshop in Alaska.

While there, she was lent a 1947 Martin 00-18 and she fell in love with it.

She asked me if I'd help her find a small bodied guitar similar to it.

She's an extremely talented woman and deserves a fine guitar.

I'm going to start looking at Eastman and Blueridge models for her but does anyone have some other ideas? She's really smitten with the Martin 00-18 but doesn't want to spend two or three thousand dollars for one.

She can spend about $1000. Maybe a bit more.

I don't think anyone has asked yet, but how flexible will she be with neck width? The one she played has the standard Martin 1 11/16" neck. The V mentioned and probably any import replicas or custom spruce top 00-15M (which would be a good alternative used) seem to have the wide 1 3/4" neck width.

But a grand is not likely to cut it UNLESS she runs across an early '70s 00-18 at a great price.

FYI, they made the 00-18 up until 1994, but many of the last couple decades, the production was miniscule, often in single digits. 1976 was the last year of significant production (128).

I see in the completed listings, the higher prices asked are resulting in "NOT SOLD" guitars in the advanced search of "Completed Listings" on Ebay. A 1971 did sell for $1500 and that is reasonable.

Watt · #10 09-01-2014, 03:02 PM

If I were looking for a small body guitar with a mahogany body and adi top in the $1,000 range, I'd start with the Eastman E10P or the newly released E10OO. The E10P's neck might not be suitable; it's both wide and chunky. But it's a great sounding guitar that is very comfortable to play. The body is slightly narrower and deeper than a Martin 00-18. I have not yet seen or played the E10OO, but it appears to have a classic 12-fret 00 body.

Another option would be the Recording King RP1-326 or RP2-626. The RP1-326 is a 12-fret 0 with adi top, while the RP2-626 is a 12-fret 00 with Engelmann top. Both are nice guitars that will get you closer to the Martin 00 sound.

Having said that, none of these guitars sounds or plays quite like a Martin 00-18. I have both a 00-18 and a Recording King RP2. The Recording King is a great little guitar, particularly after a visit with the luthier, but it lacks the depth and dimensionality of the Martin. Tough to describe, really. But the bass isn't nearly as full and rounded as the Martin and the trebles are brighter and not quite as sweet.

Knollhaven · #11 09-01-2014, 03:14 PM

Isn't there a 00-18 listed in the forum classifieds? (No affiliation; just reading the forum exhaustively today.)

CoolerKing · #12 09-01-2014, 03:19 PM

Tough to replicate sound on a guitar that old. Eastman or Blueridge is a good choice, however, for something similar in size and sound.

woodbox · #13 09-01-2014, 03:33 PM

I agree with HHP on this one--

"Then it's probably more a matter of searching for more money than more guitars."

Start saving money and get what lights her fire.
Nothing is going to match the old Martin 00-18 like an old Martin 00-18.

Some Recording King and Eastmans have their merits, but they are not Martins.
I have had many that I pass onto students.

Theres a reason for the price difference.
Focus, save and wait for another that sings with her.

fongie · #14 09-01-2014, 03:41 PM

This is a hard one. Like others have said, she might have to find more $$$$.

Or try other small body or even go up a notch to 000 body. I recommend she try a 000-17SM. For the money, it is a mighty fine guitar.

jgmaute · #15 09-01-2014, 04:00 PM

It's really hard to match the sound and feel of an old 00-18. If she doesn't have to get it right away she could save additional money while looking for the guitar she really wants. I got a '53 00-18 off Craig's List a few years ago. It's a "player" with repaired cracks and a reset neck as well as "divots" on the top (I call it Scarface) but plays and sounds great. If she can go with sound and feel and sacrifice on appearance she could end up with a guitar she'll like as much as I like mine.