Martin OM-18 Authentic 1933 Acoustic Guitar (with Case)

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Martin OM-18 Authentic 1933 Acoustic Guitar (with Case), Main
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
With authentic bracing, neck barrel and heel, the OM-18 has a slim body with mahogany back and sides to give this guitar solid projection and crisp tone.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
Adirondack spruce top Dynamic tone with a loud, clear sound
Mahogany back and sides Dry and airy tone; clear, present midrange
Standard scalloped X bracing Top vibrates freely; remains stable
Authentic 1933 barrel and heel neck shape Feels just like an authentic 1933 Martin

Based on a 1933 OM-18 on loan from Fred Oster of Vintage Instruments, the Martin OM18 Authentic 1933 acoustic guitar with case is constructed with a mahogany back and sides and an Adirondack spruce top using an authentic circa 1933 bracing pattern. Featuring period-correct "OM-18" Authentic-style appointments, right down to the Authentic 1933 neck barrel and heel. The Martin OM18 Authentic 1933 acoustic guitar is here to remind you why you fell in love with Martin in the first place, the new Authentics are constructed the old way - with hide glue, throughout, and historically-accurate detailing confirmed by using a CAT scan machine located at the Smithsonian Institute.

Historically, the Martin Orchestra Models were the first 14-fret acoustic guitars, giving birth to what the industry now considers the modern acoustic guitar. The new neck was slimmer (1-3/4 in.) and faster too, giving players both greater upper fret access and as well as more ease in playing. Introduced in late 1929 as the 000-28 Orchestra Model, it was soon changed to the OM-28. From the outset, the new guitar was highly successful, and in 1930 a mahogany version, the OM-18, was introduced. According to early Martin literature, the guitar was designed specifically for "plectrum playing in orchestra work" but among fingerpickers and strummers the OM-18 is a extremely versatile stage and recording guitar -- loud, bright, evenly balanced, and elegantly simple with its dark mahogany body, black binding, vintage… read more shaded Adirondack top, and faux tortoise pickguard. The long scale (25.4 in.) string length stretches the strings tighter at pitch creating an optimum projection and touch for fingerstyle technique, but the surprising aspect of the Orchestra Models is that they respond equally well to rhythm and chord work without the distortion that can be associated with 12-fret models.

The OM or Orchestra Model was inspired and created at the request of Perry Bechtel, an Atlanta bandleader, banjo player, and guitarist. Although Bechtel understood and appreciated the Martin tone, he needed one with more access to upper frets like his plectrum banjo -- a must among orchestra rhythm guitarists. Perry drove to Nazareth in 1929 to discuss his ideas for a Martin guitar that would allow greater access up the neck and have excellent projection and volume as well. At the time, the 000 (or Auditorium size) was Martin's largest model, with a 1-13/16-inch wide neck that joined the body at the twelfth fret. To accommodate Perry's request, Martin squared off the upper shoulders of the 000 body and adjusted the soundhole and bridge to allow for a neck that joined at the fourteenth fret. read less

- Model: OM-18 Authentic 1933
- Construction: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint - Hide Glue Construction
- Body Size: 000-14 Fret
- Top: Solid Adirondack Spruce
- Rosette: Old Style 18
- Top Bracing Pattern: Standard ''X'' Scalloped (Authentic Style) - Circa 1933
- Top Braces: Solid Adirondack Spruce 5/16"
- Back Material: Solid Genuine Mahogany
- Back Purfling: Solid Madagascar Rosewood Strip
- Side Material: Solid Genuine Mahogany
- Endpiece: Solid Madagascar Rosewood in a Narrow 1933 Shape
- Binding: Black Boltaron
- Top Inlay Style: Multiple Black/White Boltaron
- Neck Material: Solid Genuine Mahogany
- Neck Shape: Authentic 1933 Barrel and Heel
- Nut Material: Solid Black Ebony
- Headstock: Solid/1939 Taper
- Headplate: Solid Madagascar Rosewood/Authentic Style (1933) Gold Lettering w/No Black Outline
- Heelcap: Solid Black Ebony
- Fingerboard Material: Solid Black Ebony
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- # Of Frets Clear: 14
- # Of Frets Total: 20
- Fingerboard Width At Nut: 1-3/4"
- Fingerboard Width At 12th Fret: 2-1/4"
- Fingerboard Position Inlays: Old Style 18
- Finish Back & Sides: Polished Gloss w/Aging Toner
- Finish Top: Polished Gloss w/Aging Toner - 1933 Chris Hillman Shaded
- Finish Neck: Polished Gloss w/Aging Toner
- Bridge Material: Solid Black Ebony
- Bridge Style: Authentic Style Belly w/Long Saddle
- Bridge String Spacing: 2-3/8"
- Saddle: 16 in. Radius/Long Fossilized Ivory
- Tuning Machines: Waverly Nickel 8060 w/Butterbean Knobs
- Recommended Strings: Martin Bronze Medium Gauge (M150)
- Bridge & End Pins: Black
- Pickguard: Delmar Tortoise Color
- Case: 533V Harptone style

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 610-759-2837
Web: https://www.martinguitar.com/contact-us

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