Description
Description & Specifications
1937 Martin 00-18H – Shadetop – Pre-War
We present an original 1937 C.F. Martin 00-18H Shadetop Conversion, made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
This particular model is one of 128 examples produced in the largest single-year run the model ever saw. Only 255 Martin 00-18H guitars were built in total, and many— if not most — featured a natural top finish rather than the dramatic and visually striking sunburst finish, also known as Shadetop. By this time, the standard 00-18 was only available as a 14-fret model, making this Hawaiian variant the only 12-fret version of the model in production.
The C.F. Martin 00-18H was considered a relatively modest instrument. It was the only mahogany-bodied Hawaiian-style model in Martin’s mid-1930s lineup, priced significantly lower than the more ornate rosewood-and-pearl 00-40H. Designed primarily for students — since Hawaiian guitar instruction was highly popular in the 1930s — the 00-18H still adhered to the same high construction standards as Martin’s top-tier instruments. Like all Style 18 models, it features mahogany back and sides and a spruce top.
Overall, this lovely Shadetop 00-18H is in exceptionally clean condition for its age, retaining its original finish. It does show the expected nicks, dings, and signs of playwear, with a few repaired cracks along the sides. The guitar delivers outstanding tone and surprising volume, with a rich, resonant voice. Features include a sunburst top, natural back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, belly bridge, and a tortoise celluloid pickguard. The tuners are era-correct Grover strip machines with celluloid buttons specific to this period.
Comes complete with its original hardshell case. Latches and handle are fully functional.
Repairs done by a professional luthier of the highest level.
- Short (half inch) side repairs afterwords been sealed.
- Hawaiian conversion.
- Neck reset, new nut, refret, repair of bridge pin holes, new bridge.
- All typical accepted conversion work.
- The original bridge carefully re-worked with a properly angled saddle.
