Martin Guitars

1938 Martin 00-18H Guitar, Serial Number 69345

Serial number 69345 was stamped on February 9, 1938 and cleared final inspection on July 7 that year.

The guitar and case have decals for Wittich's Music Shop. The Wittich's branch in Reading PA were Martin dealers from 1929 to 1962 and this guitar was ordered by them on April 28, 1939.

The tuners are Waverly G-31 machines with white celluloid buttons.

Interestingly, this guitar has the ebony neck reinforcement with flush bar frets. (It is usually assumed most Martin guitars after 1934 have the steel T-bar neck reinforcement so it worth checking other oo-18H guitars to see if they also have the ebony neck reinforcement.)

Style 18 features:

Back and sides: Mahogany

Top: Red spruce (Adirondack)

Purfling: Lines

Binding: Black celluloid

Other period features:

Scalloped X-bracing

Flat ebony fingerboard

Ebony belly bridge

Ebony neck reinforcement

Flush bar frets

1-7/8" neck width at nut

Tortoiseshell celluloid pick guard

Dot fingerboard inlays

Decal on front of headstock

Style stamp

Dark top (sunburst finish)

Photos courtesy of Acoustic Cellar Guitars

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