Martin Custom Shop 0000-18SM Sinker Mahogany Guitar

This 0000-18SM Sinker Mahogany Custom Shop is an example of why Martin & Co have the reputation and their place in history dating back to when the company was founded in 1833.

Guitar builders are now always searching for old growth timbers to build with and they are getting harder and harder to find. One place to look is the bottom of of rivers and lakes that tranported logs for the furniture trade a hundred plus years ago, presumably these logs fell overboard and ended up at the bottom of rivers and lakes, never to be seen again, until now. Timbers of that age (remember they were old when harvested) are now ancient and have been well preserved and make them perfect for guitar making.

That’s a pretty convincing story but all that aside this 0000-18 Sinker Mahogany 12-fret is simply stunning. The even tone and volume coming out of it right across all strings anywhere on the fretboard is remarkable. It has no flat spots anywhere and has a bass response that even a Dreadnaught fan would like. When or if you take a flat pick to this guitar, it roars but also reponds to the lightest of touch with a dynamic range only the best guitars have.

12 fret guitars are popular among fingerstyle players who love their evenness, this Martin 0000-18SM has this but with plenty of volume available too. Unless you use fingerpicks, volume is limited to how much flesh you would like to keep on your fingertips so you need all the help you get.

The top is high grade Adirondack Spruce with Madagascar Rosewood binding. The fingerboard is rock hard Black Ebony for sustain and durabilty. Forward cross-bracing and a modified V neck have modernised this guitar to a degree but is all the better for it. It even has a trussrod.

Be prepared for the traditional wider neck, there are some things that Martin will not compromise on and the wider neck is just one of the many reasons why this guitar sounds like it does.

Martin Custom Shop guitars have a 12 month waiting time but this one is right here and ready. The one we have is as new in it’s case and it will stay there until we pass it on to a new loving owner.

Serial number: 2488489

• Model: Custom Shop 0000-18 Sinker Mahogany
• Finish: Natural
• SKU: GF7982-A
• Handedness: Right
• Made In Year: 2020
• Top:  Spruce Adirondack
• Back and Sides: Sinker Mahogany
• Neck/Fingerboard: Mahogany / Ebony
• Bridge Material: Ebony
• Tuners: Original Vintage
• Neck Profile: V modified
• Neck Depth: 0.82″ – 0.93″
• Scale Length: 25.5″
• Nut Width: 1.77″
• String Spacing at Saddle: 2.18″