Introduction
The Martin 000-18 acoustic guitar has earned its place as one of the most legendary and highly sought after acoustic guitars over the past century. First introduced in 1934, the 000-18 helped define Martin’s "000" line of guitars, which are known for their balanced and articulate tone thanks to their smaller auditorium body size.
The 000-18 quickly became a favorite among musicians and gained an iconic status for its signature warm and well-balanced tone. The mahogany back and sides provide a smooth midrange, while the Sitka spruce top offers crisp and clear trebles without being overly bright. This combination creates a versatile sound that works well for various playing styles, from fingerpicking to strumming.
Over the decades, the 000-18 has been played by countless renowned guitarists across many genres. Folk and country musicians especially gravitate towards the 000-18 for its excellent responsiveness when played fingerstyle. Iconic artists like Johnny Cash, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and many more have used the 000-18 extensively throughout their careers. Its balanced and intimate sound has made it a staple in recording studios as well. Clearly, the 000-18 has proven itself to be a versatile and reliable acoustic guitar worthy of its legendary status.
Body and Construction
The Martin 000-18 features the classic 000 auditorium body shape, also sometimes called the orchestra model. This size is slightly smaller than a dreadnought, making it comfortable to hold and play.
The 000-18 uses premium solid tonewoods including a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Sitka spruce provides excellent clarity and volume, while the mahogany back and sides give it a balanced, warm tone. The top is braced in a traditional X-bracing pattern that gives the 000-18 its characteristic balanced and articulate tone.
The 000-18 has a 24.9" scale length and 1 11/16" nut width, which makes it very comfortable and playable. The ebony or richlite fingerboard further enhances playability.
Hardware on the 000-18 includes enclosed gear tuners or open-gear butterbean tuners in nickel or gold. The guitar features a gloss finish and is available in natural as well as some vintage-tinted gloss colors.
Sound and Playability
The Martin 000-18 is renowned for its balanced and warm acoustic tone. It delivers clear, articulate trebles paired with a tight bass response. This gives the 000-18 a very versatile sound profile that works well for various styles of fingerstyle and pick playing.
The mahogany back and sides help produce the warm, mellow mids that the 000-18 is known for. This is nicely complemented by the crisp treble tones from the Sitka spruce top. There is excellent clarity across the tonal spectrum.
In terms of playability, the 000-18 has a comfortable neck profile that makes it very easy to fret. The shorter 24.9" scale length reduces string tension, making it an accessible guitar for players with smaller hands. It plays very smoothly up and down the ebony or richlite fingerboard.
Overall, the 000-18 offers players a balanced and warm acoustic tone with easy playability. This makes it a great choice for extended practice sessions as well as recording and performing. The versatile sound profile allows it to work well for both fingerstyle and strumming approaches across various genres.
Martin Standard Series 000-18 Review
The Martin Standard Series 000-18 delivers the quintessential Martin acoustic guitar experience in an affordable and consistent package. This model features all solid wood construction with a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The combination produces a balanced and articulate tone, with crisp trebles, warm mids, and tight bass response.
The 000-18 has an easy-playing feel thanks to its comfortable neck profile and slimmer nut width of 1 11/16". The 24.9" scale length allows for effortless fretting across the ebony or richlite fingerboard. The guitar is lightweight and well-balanced, making it a joy to play for extended periods.
Martin’s consistent quality control shines through in the Standard Series models. Attention to detail and expert craftsmanship result in instruments with very few flaws. The all-gloss finish and simple cosmetic appointments give the 000-18 a classic, timeless look.
Pros
- Great all-around acoustic guitar with versatile tone
- Articulate and balanced across all frequencies
- Excellent feedback rejection due to smaller body size
- Consistent build quality and attention to detail
Cons
- Some players prefer a wider nut width
- Less aesthetic bling compared to higher-end models
The Martin 000-18 Standard Series is best suited for fingerstyle playing, light strumming, recording, and smaller venue performances where volume is not as critical. It’s an excellent choice for the money and delivers the Martin sound players have loved for generations.
Martin 000-18 Modern Deluxe Review
The Martin 000-18 Modern Deluxe takes the already excellent Standard Series model and upgrades it to create a truly premium instrument. While retaining the same iconic auditorium body shape and tonewood combination, the Modern Deluxe features several appointments that enhance both the aesthetics and tone.
Visually, the Modern Deluxe has an elegant aged toner finish on the top that gives it a vintage vibe. It also comes with vintage-style butterbean tuners, an ebony bridge and fingerboard, and subtle yet beautiful wood marquetry around the rosette and headstock. These small details give it a refined look while retaining the traditional Martin style.
The tonewoods are also upgraded, with an extremely high-grade, hand-selected Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides. These woods produce a richer and more complex tonal palette, with excellent clarity in the highs, warm and rounded mids, and tight articulate bass. The notes seem to bloom with more nuance compared to the Standard model.
In terms of playability, the Modern Deluxe’s ebony fingerboard has rolled edges for smooth and comfortable fretting. The neck shape provides excellent balance between comfort and speed. Notes ring out clear and sustain beautifully. The guitar feels responsive and inspiring to play, whether fingerpicking or strumming.
The Modern Deluxe commands a significant price increase over the Standard model. But for those seeking absolutely top-tier materials and appointments in the classic 000-18 shape, it represents one of the finest available and is well worth the investment.
Martin Custom Shop 000-18 Models
The Martin Custom Shop offers premium versions of the 000-18, built by Martin’s expert luthiers. These are the pinnacle of Martin craftsmanship, with the highest grade materials and appointments. They deliver the ultimate 000-18 experience for discerning players.
1937 Aged 000-18
The 1937 Aged 000-18 authentically recreates a 1930s Martin, with vintage appointments and a skillfully aged Toner finish on the top that looks played-in. This is perfect for those seeking the character of a true vintage instrument. It features hide glue construction, open gear tuners, an ebony bridge and fingerboard, and an Adirondack spruce top.
Golden Era 000-18
Martin’s Golden Era series showcases the company’s finest acoustic guitar craftsmanship. On the Golden Era 000-18, nearly every spec is upgraded over the Standard Series. It has an Adirondack spruce top, rare flamed maple back and sides, an ebony bridge and fingerboard, butterbean tuners, and other premium appointments. The tone is exquisite.
Adirondack Spruce 000-18
This Custom Shop model swaps the traditional sitka spruce top for rare, premium Adirondack spruce, resulting in a louder, brighter, more complex tone. The Adirondack Spruce 000-18 is ideal for players who want more power and crispness than a standard 000-18.
The Martin Custom Shop allows for an extensive array of customization options, so each 000-18 can be tailored to the player’s preferences. Some popular customizations include different woods, sunburst or amber top shading, unique inlays and binding, relic’ing, and personalized neck shapes.
The ordering process involves working closely with an authorized Martin dealer. After specs are finalized, there is often a waiting period of 6 months up to a year or more for completion. While not cheap, a Custom Shop 000-18 is a special lifetime investment for serious players.
Buying Guide
When buying a Martin 000-18, there are several factors to consider before making your purchase. Here is an overview of what to look for, price ranges, buying new vs used, and the best places to find a 000-18 for sale.
What to Look For
As with any acoustic guitar purchase, it’s important to inspect the 000-18 carefully before buying to ensure you get a quality instrument. Some key things to check:
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Solid wood construction – The 000-18 should have a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and ebony or richlite fingerboard. Laminate woods will negatively impact tone.
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Straight, crack-free neck – Examine the neck for any warping or twisting. Make sure the action is adjustable and there are no dead frets.
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Fret condition – Look for smooth, leveled frets with no sharp edges that could cut up your hands.
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Hardware condition – Tuning keys should turn smoothly and hold tune. Bridge should be secure with no cracks.
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Electronics – If equipped with a pickup or preamp, test them to ensure proper functionality.
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Fit and finish – Look for any blemishes in the gloss finish. Binding should be clean and tight to the body.
Price Ranges
000-18 prices can vary greatly depending on the specific model:
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Martin Standard Series 000-18: $1,500 – $2,000
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Martin 000-18 Modern Deluxe: $3,000+
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Martin Custom Shop 000-18: $5,000+
Vintage and used 000-18s can also be found under $1,500.
Buying New vs Used
Buying new gives you the security of a warranty and assurance the guitar is damage-free. However, used models can save you hundreds, even thousands, with careful inspection.
Where to Buy
New and used 000-18s can be found at:
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Local guitar shops – Try them out personally before buying
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Online retailers like Sweetwater, Guitar Center, etc.
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Reverb.com – Large used marketplace with buyer protections
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eBay – Use caution as sales are generally final
Notable Users
The Martin 000-18 is a favorite among many renowned guitarists across various genres. Its balanced tone and comfortable playability has made it a go-to acoustic for studio and stage.
John Mayer
Singer-songwriter John Mayer has used the 000-18 extensively throughout his career, both for recording and live performance. He praises it for its warm, vintage tone perfect for his style of music. Mayer’s live version of "Daughters" played on a 000-18 beautifully showcases the guitar’s sweetness:
Jason Isbell
Americana artist Jason Isbell turned to the 000-18 for his 2017 album "The Nashville Sound." In an interview, Isbell discussed how the 000-18 captured the vintage acoustic tone he was seeking in the studio. Here’s a track from the album featuring his 000-18:
Ed Sheeran
Pop superstar Ed Sheeran uses Martin 000-18s when playing live shows in smaller venues. He likes the intimate sound of the auditorium-sized body. This performance of "Thinking Out Loud" with just his voice and 000-18 demonstrates the guitar’s musicality:
The 000-18 clearly appeals to diverse musical talents, who all appreciate its versatility, playability, and vintage Martin charm. Seeing and hearing it played live shows why it remains an acoustic guitar icon.
Alternatives to Consider
While the Martin 000-18 is a legendary acoustic guitar, there are some alternatives worth looking at as well. Here are some other comparable models to consider:
Other Martin 000 Models
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Martin 000-28: This model features higher-grade tonewoods than the 000-18, including East Indian Rosewood back and sides. It produces a slightly deeper, richer tone. The downside is it also has a higher price tag.
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Martin 000-15: Constructed with mahogany back and sides like the 000-18, the 000-15 has a solid Sitka spruce top. It’s a great choice if you want an all-solid wood 000 model at a lower cost. The tone is balanced and clear.
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Martin 000-16GT: This model has many similarities to the 000-18 but includes some extra decorative touches like soundhole binding. It also features scalloped bracing for enhanced resonance. The tone is described as vintage-sounding.
Similar Sized Guitars from Other Brands
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Taylor 322: With a Grand Concert body shape, the Taylor 322 is comparable in size to the 000-18. It produces a bright, articulate tone thanks to its all-mahogany construction. A good alternative at a lower price point.
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Guild F-30R: Guild’s orchestra-style body shape is close to a 000. The F-30R features a solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides. It’s known for its rich, complex tone and vintage vibe.
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Gibson L-00: Gibson’s legendary L-00 has mahogany back and sides like the 000-18. Its shorter 24.75" scale gives it a warmer, relaxed tone. A great choice for vintage blues and country.
Conclusion
The legendary Martin 000-18 acoustic guitar has earned its place as one of the most revered instruments across multiple genres. Its balanced tone, warm low end, and articulate highs make it a versatile guitar suitable for fingerstyle playing, strumming, and recording.
Throughout this review, we covered the critical specs like its auditorium body shape, mahogany back and sides, Sitka spruce top, and comfortable short-scale neck. The Standard Series 000-18 provides exceptional quality and tone at an accessible price point, while the Modern Deluxe and Custom Shop versions offer upgraded materials and appointments for players wanting more personalized and vintage-accurate models.
The 000-18 suits solo performers who need a feedback-resistant guitar perfect for intimate club settings, as well as studio musicians who rely on its balanced tone for layering tracks. Its comfortable body size and neck profile also make it ideal for long practice and recording sessions. While fingerstyle players will appreciate the dynamic range and note separation, strummers will enjoy the full, resonant sound.
For those seeking the timeless look, feel, and sound of a Martin acoustic, the 000-18 is a versatile classic that deserves a spot on your wish list. We encourage you to visit your local Martin dealer to experience this iconic instrument firsthand. Once you hear its buttery smooth tones, you’ll understand why so many top artists have relied on the 000-18 throughout their careers. It’s a lifetime guitar for players from all walks of musical life.