The guitar featured in this entry is one of the very last 12-fret 0-18 guitars made by Martin.
The guitar was stamped on January 4, 1932 and cleared final inspection on September 13 that year. Nine months was a very long time in production for the period. The long delay was the result of Martin launching production the “Model 32” 14-fret 0-18 guitars in February 1932. The 14-fret instruments were an instant hit and demand for the 12-fret models came to an abrupt end. Eventually Martin had to offer these late 12-fret guitars at “close-out” prices to get them to move.
This particular guitar was shipped to to Robert Simpson Co. Ltd., a large department store, in Toronto on June 7, 1933. As such it was an export item and received a “MADE IN USA” stamp above the C. F. Martin & Co. stamp on the back of the head stock.
However, the most appealing features of this guitar is the very soft “amberburst” finish of the top, which appears to be quite a bit lighter than the dark top finish of the Model 32 guitars. This 12-fret guitar did not leave the finish shop until August 1932 so a question needs to be asked: Why did Martin put a lighter sunburst finish on this guitar than for regular Model 32 14-fret models?
The tuners are Waverly G-2 machines.
Style 18 features:
Back and sides: Mahogany
Top: Red spruce (Adirondack)
Purfling: Lines
Binding: Black
Back stripe: None
Other period features:
Scalloped X-bracing
Rosewood fingerboard
Rosewood belly bridge
Ebony neck reinforcement
1-7/8″ neck width at nut
Tortoiseshell celluloid pick guard
Dot fingerboard inlays (graduated)
C. F. Martin stamp on back of head stock
Style stamp
Photos courtesy of Carter Vintage Guitars.
