Martin Guitars

1932 Martin 0-18 Dark Top, Serial Number 50739

Here is one of the very early 1932 14-fret 0-18 "Model 32" guitars. The "Model 32" guitars received what Martin referred to as a  "dark top" finish but is now commonly known as honeyburst, amberburst or shaded top.

Serial number 50739 was stamped on April 13, 1932 and cleared final inspection on July 12 that year.

The Model 32 0-18 guitars had the ebony neck reinforcement and bar frets. This is also one of the earliest examples of the C. F. Martin decal. Notice how the spacing of the tuners leaves little room at the top of the headstock for the decal.

All the Model 32 0-18 guitars had the 24.9" scale length but  few of the prototype 0-18S guitars (see serial number 50053 on this website) had the longer 25.4" scale. The neck width at the nut is 1-3/4".

The tuners are Grover G-98 clipped plate machines with oval buttons.

Back and sides: Mahogany

Top: Red spruce (Adirondack)

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