Vintage Martin 00-18 - USA 1957

Few guitars wear their history with more pride than this 1957 Martin 00-18. A true road dog, it’s clearly been played, loved, and leaned on — a lifetime of music etched into every mark. The wear is honest and beautiful, giving it that unmistakable vintage character you just can’t fake. This is the kind of guitar that looks like it belongs on stage under warm lights, doing what it was built for.

Crafted in Nazareth, Pennsylvania during Martin’s golden era, the 00-18 combines a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, delivering that quintessential dry, woody voice - punchy and balanced, with focused midrange warmth and sweet, airy trebles. The V-profile neck feels wonderfully vintage under the hand, offering that classic pre-’60s feel that so many players crave.

This example has seen plenty of life: there’s a solid, professionally executed patch repair on the back, and plenty of buckle rash that tells of countless nights on stage. Structurally, it’s rock solid - fully stable and ready for decades more service. The finish wear, dings, and scratches are pure storytelling; every mark has earned its place.

Tonally, it’s simply exceptional - open, resonant, and alive, with that seasoned depth and responsiveness only a well-played Martin can deliver. It’s a guitar that makes you play differently - with more soul, more touch, more connection.

The 00-18 has long been a favourite among players like Elvis Presley, Paul Simon, Woody Guthrie, and John Mayer, and it’s easy to hear why. It’s comfortable, balanced, and timeless - an instrument with a voice and presence far bigger than its size.

A genuine player’s vintage Martin - worn in, wide open, and ready for its next chapter.

Features:

Action at 1st Fret: 0.25mm

Action at 12th Fret: 3.0mm

Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 21.58mm

Nut Width: 42.69mm

Width at 12th Fret: 54.39mm

Weight: 3.53lb / 1.6kg

Make: Martin

Model: 00-18

Year: 1957

Top: Spruce

Back & Sides: Mahogany

Neck: Mahogany, V-profile

Fingerboard: Brazilian Rosewood

Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood

Bracing: X-braced, scalloped

Country of Origin: USA

Case: Non-OHSC