Serial number 50551 was stamped on March 23, 1932 and cleared final inspection on August 5 that year.
Some 0-18K guitars from the period were made for Hawaiian playing with a flat fingerboard and raised nut and saddle but this guitar was factory made for Spanish playing with a rounded fingerboard and normal nut and saddle.
The guitar has the ebony neck reinforcement, bar frets and an ebony belly bridge. The neck width is 1-7/8" at the nut and the scale length is 24.9".
The tuners are Waverly G-30 machines with white celluloid buttons.
There is no decal on the front of the headstock but a "C. F. MARTIN & CO/NAZARETH, PA" stamp is applied to the back of the headstock.
Back and sides: Koa
Top: Koa
Photos courtesy of Folkway Music.
2 thoughts on “1932 Martin 0-18K, Serial Number 50551”
Is this still available?
Sorry, this is no longer available. Folkways was kind enough to let me use their archival photos. If I post a guitar that is available I always include a link to the dealer involved.