Martin 00-18 1944 Acoustic Guitar – Rare Wartime Model with Scalloped Bracing and Stunning Vintage Tone

The Martin 00-18 1944 Acoustic Guitar is a beautifully preserved example from one of the most coveted eras of Martin’s history. Built during the wartime years, it embodies the golden age of Martin craftsmanship, with features that set it apart: scalloped X-bracing, an Adirondack spruce top, and mahogany back and sides. At just over 1.3 kg, it is extremely lightweight—true to the guitars of this era—and produces a voice that is powerful, responsive, and unmistakably vintage.

This guitar comes from the first half of 1944, one of the last years Martin built with scalloped braces before moving to straight bracing. As such, it offers the pre-war voicing that players and collectors treasure. It retains its original bridge plate and finish (with a very light professional overspray), and the original tuners. A neck reset and refret have been carried out, ensuring superb playability, and a discreet K&K pickup with vintage-style jack has been installed.

The sound of the Martin 00-18 1944 Acoustic Guitar is simply addictive. It has a wonderfully open, airy character, with warm lows, a singing midrange, and shimmering trebles that respond immediately to even the lightest touch. The guitar is equally at home with fingerpicking, flatpicking, or vocal accompaniment, and projects with clarity and depth whether played softly or pushed harder. Its short scale and rounded neck carve make it exceptionally comfortable, while the action (2.4 mm bass / 1.7 mm treble at the 12th fret) is set for easy playability.

This instrument remains structurally solid and remarkably clean for its age, with no repaired cracks. It weighs only a little over 1.3 kg and feels as light as the proverbial “magic feather.” It is accompanied by a modern Martin hard-shell case for safe transport.

For collectors and players alike, the Martin 00-18 1944 Acoustic Guitar represents a rare opportunity to acquire a wartime scallop-braced Martin—a guitar with history, soul, and a timeless voice that continues to inspire.