Without preaching about the ‘50s Martin mystique, here’s the bottom line: This sweet OO-18 is a wonderful, worthy guitar. Built in 1952 in Nazareth, PA, it was purchased second-hand at Gruhn Guitars in the early ‘70s, and has been played on several Nashville records and studio projects.* It is a pro player’s instrument—not flashy or particularly sexy, but easy to play, with warm, woody tone and great tonal balance (no big peaks in any range). It’s the kind of guitar that engineers will applaud you for bringing to the gig, and other pickers will shamelessly covet.
The OO-18 features a Sitka spruce top with mahogany sides and back, all original, and well-worn (but not abused) from 70+ years of sessions and gigs. We suspect it has at least 70 more in it. The mahogany neck has a sturdy, comfortable “soft V” profile with rosewood fingerboard. The guitar offers more volume than you might expect from a OO, but really shines played finger-style or with a light-to-medium touch.
It came to us in an old chipboard case but it deserves better, so we’re including a new TKL hardshell case. Also: We’re selling this “As Described,” not because it’s less than wonderful, but to discourage tentative buyers. This is a fine, old, well-seasoned guitar. If you don’t know what you're getting, please don’t buy it just to try it out.
* Previous owner, Michael McBride. Recordings and tours with this guitar include:
•1975 - Vassar Clements “Superbow” album (Soundshop, Nashville)
• Two years touring with Vassar
• 1976 - Benny Martin & HIs Electric Turkeys (Arthur Smith Studios, Charlotte, NC)
• 1977 - Barefoot Jerry “Barefootin’ ” album (Cinderella Sound, Nashville)
• 1977 - Charlie McCoy “Country Cookin’ “ album ( Cinderella Sound, Nashville)
• 1977 - Charlie McCoy and Wayne Moss (Area Code 615 / Barefoot Jerry), several independent sessions
• 1977-85 - Johnny Paycheck, 12+ albums (CBS Nashville and live concerts)
• 1985-88 - David Frizzell & Shelly West, various recordings (Brittanica Studio, L.A.)
Features:
-
Body style: OO-18
-
Top: Sitka Spruce, X bracing
-
Back/Sides: Mahogany
-
Finish: Original gloss (not very glossy any more)
-
Binding: Black multi-ply
-
Neck: Mahogany, "soft V” profile
-
Fingerboard: Brazilian Rosewood
-
Nut: 1 11/16” bone
-
Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-
Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood, bone saddle, black pins
-
Pickguard: Original Tortoiseshell teardrop
-
Tuners: Open-gear
-
Dimensions: 14 3/8” wide (lower bout) x 4” deep
-
Serial No: 127600
-
Case: New TKL
