A time machine 12-fretter, the 00-18 Authentic 1931 is superb
The new featherweight champ with heavyweight tone
00-18 Authentic 1931 specs include: All solid woods with hide glue construction throughout, including traditional Big Leaf mahogany back and sides; Adirondack spruce top with M1 level of Martin’s Vintage Tone System, and VTS treated Authentic Series 1/4″ bracing and bridge plate; short-scale mahogany neck with a shape unique to this model, 1-7/8″ at nut; ebony fingerboard and bridge with 2-3/8″ string spacing; bone saddle and ebony nut; Vintage Style 18 appointments for the fret markers and rosette, tortoise colored pickguard and binding; Madagascar rosewood accents; thin, Vintage gloss finish.
“From the first note, I felt that of all the Authentic Series, the 00-18 Authentic 1931 would fool me most easily if I was blindfolded and told I was playing a pre-war Martin.”
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Nice review Mr Spoon. I own the OM-18A VTS A tremendous guitar. Been a bluegrass guy for all these years but decided to go small guitars with huge sounds. I now have an 00-18 A on its way to me. Just courious, if you could only have one which would it be? Thanks for your contribution to the enlightenment you give.
Congratulations, Walt. And thanks for your first comment at One Man’s Guitar.
I am an OM man, but one who has always loved the 12-fret 00 sound and aesthetic.
But I would really have to play both of them in and around each other to make that kind of choice.
I already have OMs, I own no 12-fret guitar. So that might tilt things toward the 00. I am glad/sorry I don’t/can’t have that choice to make. 🙂
Todd been reading your reviews for years and years. Your writing continues to get better and better. Love the great metaphor you bring in like “big fundamentals all the way to the waterline.” Keep up the great work!