Review Demo - Martin 0-18 Standard Series

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While the same can be said for a lot of Martin guitars, there is a real understated grace, elegance, and balance in an 18-series flattop. Instruments in the 18 series—guitars built with a solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, and a minimum of adornment—have been a fixture in the Martin line for a century. (Some of the earliest 18 series guitars date to the 19th century, but had rosewood backs and sides.) But the 0-18, which is one of the earliest 18-series guitars—and in fact one of the earliest Martin designs—has been in and out of the Martin catalog several times over the last century.

This year, Nazareth brought the 0-18 back into the fold, presumably to mark the 100th anniversary of the first mahogany-and-spruce version. Like every 18-series model, it is a study in beautiful design economy. It is also a joy to play and a reminder of the surprising, expressive potency of these compact 6-strings.

The 0-18 hasn’t changed much since the late 19th century. It’s easy to see why. The proportions are lovely—svelte but substantial enough to keep the body from looking too petite. One significant design deviation from the original is the 14-fret neck. As far as design shake-ups go, this is an old one. The 0-18 became a 14-fret model in 1934 in the wake of Martin’s OM introduction.

Given the vogue for 12-fret models and their extra-bassy sounds (as well as the 100-year anniversary), a 12-fret version would have been a logical move on Martin’s part. The 14-fret version certainly feels like the right step here, however. The 24.9" neck feels balanced and spacious, and gives the guitar the feel of a larger instrument.

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