1934 C.F. Martin Long Scale 000-18 (OM)
Serial # 56820
Rare, rare, rare !!! This is in actuality an OM-18......and it isn't. Here's the story. The OM-18 was made from 1930 until the end of 1933 with 14 frets and the now famous 25.4" scale length. That scale length is what makes the OM as desirable as it can get. In early 1934, Martin replaced the OM-18 with the now reintroduced, standard scale 000-18 with only the few earliest examples of this year and model found with the 25.4" scale necks of the OM.....and this is one of them. We aren't sure whether these were originially made as OM's in late 1933 and are simply left overs stamped with the 000-18 nomenclature before shipping or if they are left over necks applied to 1934 000-18's just to use up left over neck stock. The former makes more sense to me. The 000-18 from early '34 onward have the now standard 24.5" scale. How many of these were made is a thing of folklore. The Martin blog has all sorts of opinions about this elusive statistic, but there is noone who denies that they are bloody rare and bloody great.
It has the presence and power of an early D-18 with the same sublime and crystalline tonal quality. Every note on every string has it's own space.....every time you touch it, it lights up with a willing and sonorous voice that boggles the mind. Fully scalloped, forward shifted bracing with a light build and a super thin top..... It's worthy of every great quote ever said about this eccentric model, from every perspective.
It's in great condition for this era as well. A perfectly replaced ebony bridge was created by Dave King, master of the dark arts, as the one that it came to me with was a replacement that wasn't to spec. Otherwise, it's all original. Some light very minor rash touch up and a new neck set and a new set of proper, nickle bar frets bring it up to spec and up to concert quality. To play it is to want to own it.
P.O.A.
