Martin Guitars Custom Shop 00-18

Feel the Folk Explosion

The Martin 00-18 may be one of the most important guitars in the C.F. Martin Guitar Company's history, and we are delighted that Martin brought it back as a part of their standard line in 2016. Though it may have less visibility than its dreadnought brother, the D-18, it is every bit as iconic in terms of historical significance and sound quality. Because the 00-18 was so comfortable to play and sounded so clear, punchy, and articulate, it was a perpetual favorite among the Greenwich Village coffee shop crowd that touched off the folk explosion of the '50s and '60s. If you fingerpick your way through G, C, and D once on one of these Custom Shop 00-18s, it immediately becomes apparent that they share a bloodline with their legendary historical forebears.

Talkin' Woody and Bob Blues

There are lots of famous names on the list of 00-18 players, but none more important than Woody Guthrie. According to longtime Martin Employee Dick Boak in an interview you can read here, Woody Guthrie would order a new guitar--often a 00-18--every couple months. This wasn't because he was out smashing guitars on the road but because he often gave his guitars away to young aspiring artists.

It's natural that Woody gravitated towards the 00-18: it's simple, unpretentious, relentlessly playable, and it provides a perfect blend of articulation, clarity, and power. Given Woody's rather lax attitude about personal property, it's also easy to see why he gave so many away. Who wouldn't want to share a guitar with such a glorious voice?

Speaking of glorious voices, Bob Dylan was also a big fan of the 00-18--likely because he saw his idol, Guthrie, using one. The stellar sound of small-bodied Martins made of spruce and Mahogany is all over his early records.

A Delightful Acoustic Companion

Within five minutes of picking up a 00-18, it's easy to see why Dylan, Guthrie, and so many important players loved it. First off, it's hard to beat from an ergonomic standpoint. The 24.9" scale puts the frets closer together and reduces string tension, making for a wonderfully slinky handfeel and an effortless playing experience. Nowadays, it comes equipped with a modified low oval neck profile with a high-performance taper that beckons you to play for hours and hours. Furthermore, the 00 body size is just right: small enough to be comfortable for couch and porch picking sessions, but big enough to speak with authority.

And what a sweet voice the 00-18 has! It's even, balanced, warm, and clear, and it's exceptionally versatile. The classic hulking Martin midrange is here in spades, and it is quite broad and woody sounding. However, when you dig in, the mids become more focused and punchy, perfect for gutbucket Delta blues. The bass response is tight but present, and the low E string is still quite satisfying. On the other end of the spectrum, the highs are open and clear, with a pleasing silvery sparkle of overtones, and a pleasant round quality.

A Guitar We Can All Agree On

Fingerpickers and flatpickers alike will enjoy this sort of frequency response. For pickstyle players, the 00-18 provides plenty of midrange punch to cut through a mix while also having the nuance necessary to make intricate, intimate passages come through. As a strummer, it provides all the resonance you need without any of the flub you don't, so it sits nicely in a mix without crowding the other instruments.

Fingerstylists will also love the 00-18's blend of articulation, warmth, and clarity. The front end of each note is detailed enough that you can hear the difference between using the side of your thumb and the pad on low notes. After the initial attack, each note rings out with piano-like immediacy with plenty of weight and mass. Nevertheless, it still maintains excellent note separation even on fancy jazz chords with strange dissonances. So, fast, intricate fingerstyle passages come through in high definition, while slow, lyrical compositions still have an inviting warmth and depth.

Recording engineers also love the 00-18. Steve Howe of the band Yes used the 00-18 as his primary acoustic for recording, and it's easy to see why! Again, it provides all the midrange muscle necessary for a great recorded acoustic sound, and none of the unnecessary flub. Getting a great sound in the studio is easy when the guitar already sounds like it's been produced in the room!

Double-Oughta Love It!

We are proud to present our exceptional customers with a Martin that continues the brand's grand tradition of excellence with such aplomb. Its versatility, inspiring voice, and comfortable ergonomics make it a difficult instrument to put down. So, we invite you to pick one up and experience the magic yourself! We're sure it will provide you with a lifetime of inspiration on your fretboard journey.