1924 Martin O-18K

by Mike
(Dearborn Heights, MI )

I have a 1924 Martin O-18K, serial number 20055. I bought on ebay as a project guitar and had the guitar restored by a local Luthier. there were two cracks in the back, one in the front, that were cleated and repaired. We also put in a new bridge and bridge plate, had the neck reset and the frets dressed. Finish is quite worn in places, frets are original bar type, tuners are original. According to Martin this is solid Koa wood (tight grained, not flamed).

I have a friend that wants to buy it and I am looking for a ballpark value.

Thanks

ANSWER

Hi, Mike--

Here is the general info:

0-18
- concert body style, solid spruce top, Brazilian rosewood (1898-1917) or mahogany (1918-1993) back and sides, round soundhole with various rosette configurations (colored-wood rope pattern between 1898 and 1902, white lines grouped 1/9/1 between 1902 and the mid-1930s, white inlaid lines grouped 1/9/1 between the mid-1930s and 1988, and 5/9/5 grouping between 1988 and 1993), five-ply top binding with rosewood (1898-1932), black (1932-1936, 1966-1993) or tortoise (1936-1966) outer layer, cedar (1898-1916) or mahogany (1916-1993) neck, 12/19-fret (1898-1934) or 14/20-fret (1934-1993) ebony fingerboard with no inlays (1898-1902) or pearl dot inlays (1902-1993), slotted (1898-1934) or solid (1934-1993) headstock, three-per-side open-style brass tuners with ivory buttons (1898-1934) or regular tuners (1934-1993), pyramid ebony bridge with black pearl dot pins, available in Natural finish, available as a Special Order, mfg. 1898-1993

0-18K Koa
- similar to the 0-18, except has koa top, back, and sides, mfg. 1918-1935.

The pricing info:

Excellent $3,500 - 4,250
Average $2,250 - 2,750

These prices are based on ORIGINAL, not restored instruments. The restoration will reduce the value, probably down to the "Average" category, but it is difficult to know the exact figure.

Lynne