Martin OM-18 ’31 Golden Era 2005

Martin OM-18 ’31 Golden Era 2005

Made in USA

Serial Number 1052250

A custom order OM-18 (1930) “Golden Era”, ordered through My Favourite Guitar, Naples, Florida, identical to Martin’s OM-18GE but with the addition of Waverly open back machine heads rather than the Waverly Banjo tuners which make the model so much more playable, useable and just that bit better to play/tune… Fitted with a K&K mini western for a great passive and authentic tone.

The Martin OM-18GE 1930, replicating the specifications for the new-for-1930 Orchestra Model, was built from 2003 to 2009. The Orchestra Model was originally designed for Perry Bechtel, a prominent banjoist and band leader in the 1920s, to aid transition from banjo to guitar.

Construction of the Martin OM-18GE 1930 model closely follows the original spec, with an Adirondack Spruce top, Tropical Mahogany for the sides, back, body blocks and neck. Ebony is used for the fingerboard, bridge and nut, with Brazilian Rosewood for the headstock overlay, body binding and end trim. The bone saddle is a cut-through type.

There is a subtle but meaningful difference in construction practice involving the faux-tortoise pickguard – it is glued to the finish, not directly to the top. This prevents a common top crack, caused by the top and pick guard expanding and contracting at different rates.

Adirondack Spruce was the most commonly used top wood until World War 2, when demand for war materiel – particularly airframes – took most of the available Adirondack stocks to the point of over-harvesting. By the end of the war other variants, especially Sitka came into prominence; in the last ten years Adirondack forests have re-grown enough to be suitable for instrument woods. Adirondack has slightly more stiffness than Sitka, and stands up under heavy playing a bit better.

A really lovely playable guitar with an authentic timbre, in very good condition for 21 years, couple of minor marks none of which are easily photographed and do not detract from a really great instrument.