1927 Martin 0-18K

With Hawaiian music all the rage, Martin introduced steel-string guitars for Hawaiian style playing in 1918.  All-Koa versions followed in 1920, and the steel-string Style 18 body size with 13-5/8″ lower bout arrived in 1924.  This 0-18K serial 33261 dates from the autumn of 1927, one of a total of 475 0-18Ks shipped in that year with X-braced all-Koa body, Mahogany neck with bar frets, Ebony fretboard, Rosewood headstock overlay, Ebony bridge, Maple bridgeplate, no pickguard, 5-ply top binding with outer layer Rosewood, and 9-ply soundhole rosette. Tuners are the original Waverly WG-31s used by Martin in the 1920s. The only modification is that the bridge saddle angle has been reset for standard playing intonation.  

This 0-18K is structurally sound with excellent neck set.  Most notable cosmetically are areas of worn French Polish on the top.  Featherweight at 3lbs, this guitar is an excellent player, especially for finger style, with the responsiveness and sustain associated with Koa.  Comes with a newer 1970s hard case.