C.F. Martin Guitar help, Any guitar Gurus? Thank you.

[artslinger]

Hi amigos, it's been a long time since my last post. I found this today leftover from a three house garage sale on same street that started on Fri. Pretty sure the old girl was felt on by many a stranger. No writing on outside, but inside I could faintly make out the CFM
This seems like a beginner guitar due to the guitar diagram. I paid $5. Any guitar Gurus that may be able help with age and style type? Thank, as always, truly appreciated.

Artslinger

Update: I looked inside and see the number 0-18K followed by 53270

 

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[slowtruk]

Think that serial number would be early 30’s. The “K” is for Koa wood.

 

[artslinger]

Thank you very much! I truly appreciate it. I found a set of markings while inspecting it closer. Seems like a label. It is to the bottom by the hole. See additional pics added. Thanks again.

artslinger

 

[Red-Coat]

Now that’s a cool item!

The Martin 0-18K was a small-body flat-top intended for playing Hawaiian music. It was produced in numerous variations between 1918 and 1935 but the serial number gives you the precise year. Yours is from 1933 (serial numbers between 52591 and 55084). As said, the ‘K’ indicates it was made from Hawaiian koa wood.

I’ve never seen one with those chord markings on the fretboard and suspect they may have been added after purchase for some user-customisation purpose. Potentially, that’s a valuable guitar in decent playable condition and I think you should try and get it appraised. Unfortunately, if those chord symbols are additions by a user then that’s going to detract significantly from its desirability and value.

 

[slowtruk]

Yes, label applied post manufacture for learning purposes. Very collectable guitar, depending on overall condition., originality of hardware, etc.

 

[artslinger]

Thank you both for the great thorough information regarding style and manufacture date. Let's hope that that addition doesn't decrease its desirability and value. It was truly a lucky score. So many saw it, but must have discarded it as an old generic guitar due to no significant visible markings. :-) Thanks again.

artslinger

 

[Mackaydon]

Enjoy what it can sound like. Serenity comes to my mind when I hear this:

Don....

 

[artslinger]

Enjoy what it can sound like. Serenity comes to my mind when I hear this:

Don....

Thank you! Sounds beautiful!

 

[RedLeaf]

Very Nice, if you call Martin Company they have a historian who can tell you anything you want to know about the instrument. Looks like that had the old style bar frets & needs some TLC to make it playable. I briefly had a 1858 O-28 in it's original coffin case, I spoke w/ Mike Longworth at C.F Martin & answered any questions I had. That one was pre serial number & I had to use an inspection mirror inside the soundhole. Written in Pencil on the soundboard was 8 - 1858 for August 1858 & initials of craftsman. Vintage instruments are getting scarcer as the years go by, excellent find, a piece of American history & a real Treasure : )

 

[Molewacker]

Wow! Nice score!!!!

 

[captain flintlock]

I have no idea of value but it’s definitely worth more than the $5.00 you paid. I’d buy that all day for $5.00!! Great find! We expect a forum concert sometime soon!!

 

[Richard Guy]

never put metal/steel strings on that guitar. only use nylon/gut strings
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[gunsil]

Martin also restores their old guitars, I have taken two to them for repair and restoration. Wasn't all that expensive and increased the value by a couple hundred percent, was well worth it. They also have factory tours and give out the round disc from making the top hole to visitors as a souvenir.

 

[niffler]

You scored, probably worth several hundred bucks.

 

[Milspec6]

The fact that it has metal strings on it and is the Koa wood, I suspect it was used as a slide guitar originally. That is probably why the chord markings on there as well as a person playing it on his/her lap would be looking straight down onto the fretboard.

Easy way to tell is to see how high the action is set. Look at the guitar from the side and see how high the strings are from the body, a slide guitar would be much higher than that of a finger player.

I don't know about the value, but any old Martin will worth some coin. The body looks to be in good shape, but a neck reset and new frets would cost you several hundred buck, so factor that into the equation if you want to sell it. Any chance it had a case for it as well?

 

[Richard Guy]

"The fact that it has metal strings on it and is the Koa wood, I suspect it was used as a slide guitar originally."

The strings on the guitar are not 'metal' although it appears that it has. Nylon/gut strings have the fat E, A and D strings wound nylon cores. If anyone puts steel strings on this guitar will render it damage and severely in need of repair. The metal strings put way more tension/pressure on the guitars beidge, top and neck.
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[Littleebear]

The addition seems glued on, so it should come off quite easly. But you truly scored with this and I would really suggest having it restored by Martin. Value is awesome : https://reverb.com/p/martin-0-18k-1918-1934

 

[artslinger]

The fact that it has metal strings on it and is the Koa wood, I suspect it was used as a slide guitar originally. That is probably why the chord markings on there as well as a person playing it on his/her lap would be looking straight down onto the fretboard.

Easy way to tell is to see how high the action is set. Look at the guitar from the side and see how high the strings are from the body, a slide guitar would be much higher than that of a finger player.

I don't know about the value, but any old Martin will worth some coin. The body looks to be in good shape, but a neck reset and new frets would cost you several hundred buck, so factor that into the equation if you want to sell it. Any chance it had a case for it as well?

Thanks once again to all for all of your feedback and recommendations/opinions. I appreciate them. I never asked if there was a case. In a way, that was a positive, as there are many people out there that know, Martin guitars as valuable. The case would have given someone a need for a closer look. It would have been great, though.

Artslinger