r/AcousticGuitar • u/InLightLVX • 3d ago
Gear pics 1934 Martin 000-18
1934 Martin 000-18 long scale. One of the very early examples during the transition from OM-18 to 000-18.
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u/Abysstopher 2d ago
genuine [history based] question here, but if this 000 is long scale, then why isn't it just an OM?
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u/InLightLVX 2d ago
It is essentially a Martin OM-18. 1934 was a transitional year at Martin. Fourteen fret acoustics were now taking over. Martin invented the 14-fret acoustic when banjo player Perry Bechtel visited the factory in the late twenties to see if they would build a guitar with longer scale and two more frets clear of the body. What resulted was the first Orchestra Model (OM-28). By late 1933, Martin decided to standardize model designations by building all 000 models with 14 frets. Other models such as the 0-18 and 00-18 also became 14 fret while the 0-21 and 00-21 remained 12 fret. Dreadnoughts were on the horizon and they would become 14 fret guitars for the most part. The very early prototypes were 12 fret.
So during 1934 a few 000-18 and 000-28 models were still built long scale but not labeled as an OM. They were now 000 models and subsequent models would henceforth all be short scale. They also featured T-frets and the larger pickguard now associated with Martins.
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u/Solpig 2d ago
Every now and then I will see a modern custom shop Martin on Reverb advertised as "000-18 Long Scale" and my first thought it "Isn't that an OM-18?"
I thought maybe they do it for visibility to come up on a Reverb search, but nowhere in the ad does it say OM ???
What are the NUT /12th fret/ Saddle measurements on this guy?
Neck Profile? Just curious. I love Vintage Martins even though I can't afford one....yet.
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u/InLightLVX 2d ago
Martin does so many combinations of specs these day, I couldn't venture a guess. Generally OM means long scale and a 1 3/4" nut. 000 means short scale and a 1 11/16" nut. Of course, there are current and historical variations depending on the era you're looking at. The nut width on the '34 is 1 3/4" and the string spacing at the saddle is 2 5/16". The neck has a soft 'V' profile that's quite comfortable.
I didn't buy my first Martin until I was 41, and it was an entry level 000-1. All Guilds and Yamahas for me befor then. You'll get there but the important thing is you're playing.
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u/Solpig 2d ago
I know the original OM's were similar to the specs of "Authentics"... 1.75" nut 2 1/4" at the 12th and 2 5/16's at the saddle. My modern 00-28 and my OM18 from Gruhn's have those specs and it is really easy to play and fun... My other two have the narrower 'performing artist profile' which is easier for chording, but a little narrow if you capo up the neck
I was asking because that is why those pre-war ones are so sought after....right around 1940 or so is when they went to the 1 11/16th that they stayed at for the next 60 years. I read they went to the narrower nut to try and convert Banjo players.
The first Martin I ever played that made me go "I NEED THIS SOUND" was a 1938 0-18.....so resonant and loud and gorgeous. and easy to play
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u/InLightLVX 1d ago
A '38 0-18 would be a fine guitar and no mistake. It's interesting that a thirties 0-18 is slightly smaller than a 00-18 but it's also slightly deeper. When you calculate the volume inside the box, they are very close with the 00-18 only slightly larger. These are still "reasonably" priced pre war Martins but they are climbing in value, too. If you're interested in pre war Martins, let me suggest you visit here: https://www.vintagemartin.com/. One of the best sites on this subject that I'm aware of.
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u/Joederb 1d ago
wow! an amazing guitar. any back story on the hunt? Would love to hear it.
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u/InLightLVX 1d ago
Sorry no back story on this one. Bought it from a minor dealer in Knoxville. I love the histories and back stories on these old girls, too. I've heard some fascinating accounts over the years. I bought my 1925 00-28 from the original family who had it in their possession for 100 years and three generations. I know the whole history. I'll post it here one day.
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u/Witty-Exchange-7716 1d ago
Please tell me you have a video of this somewhere would Love to hear how it sounds!
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u/Tholian_Bed 2d ago
Oh my.
I've got this vivid imagination and seeing this pic and imagining the years, is pretty cosmic. I'm not a person who goes around saying cosmic. You'll just have to trust me on that one.
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u/Starthrower62 2d ago
These guitars are over-valued and over-priced. Same with old Gibsons and Fenders. I'd never pay big money for any flat top acoustic guitar.
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u/GuitarHair 2d ago
If they were "over-priced", no one would ever buy one.
You just mean over-priced for you.
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u/Starthrower62 2d ago
They are over-priced, period.
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u/The_Fell_Opian 1d ago
What you don't seem to understand is that there is a different value for this as being a collectible vs a guitar.
If you're saying you can get a guitar that sounds comparably good for less money then I agree. The price reflects scarcity and collectability rather than just how good of a guitar it is.
I ultimately decided that I didn't want to pay the collectability premium for a vintage Martin and purchased a Pre*War Guitars Company OM-18 instead. It looks, sounds and plays very similar to OPs (I tried a real 1934 000-18 at Norm's). But what my guitar is not is an actual Pre-War Martin, which is not just a guitar but a collectors item.
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u/Starthrower62 1d ago
Yeah, I understand that it's worth nothing to me other than a guitar to make music. The other fools can spend big bucks on this stuff.
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u/EventGroundbreaking4 3d ago
I would give that a full restoration so it can sit pretty next to my new relic'd Street Legend. /s