Martin 00-18V

2006 model. Features have been discussed here already and can be found at Martin's website. Basic acoustic with no electronics. Open back tuners, wide neck, beautiful woods, great case, etc....typical Martin features. The "V" or Vintage models are reissues of typically pre-WWII models so expect that sort of look/feel/sound.

The sound of the small bodied Martins is great. Definitely not as loud as a "D" or "J" model, but very well balanced. These little 00 models record very well. If you are looking for a studio guitar, look no further.

The guitar was purchased from a very high end acoustic shop and they look over the guitars as well before delivering, so the setup was perfect. The factory fit and finish on Martin's is always flawless. There are no clunkers that leave their lines.

It's an acoustic guitar, so certain precautions have to be taken, but this guitar should last as long as it's taken care of. I'd take this one on stage, studio or on the couch. It's very well built and I would play it anywhere.

Historically Martin goes to great lengths to make sure that everything is correct. They'll even stretch the "warrany for original owner" thing as well in some cases. They're a great company that's family owned, which is amazing. I've never really had to deal with them personally...other than a question or two at a guitar show...but they're always willing to help out.

Been playing for about 25 years. I own many other guitars, but as far as acoustics go....a Martin D18V, Gibson Country & Western from 71, a Gibson LG0 from 65, a Martin D35 from 76 and a National Delphi Resonator. They all do something differently and this one holds it's own with them all.
When I was looking for this one, I definitely wanted a small bodied guitar. I'd played an 0 body but thought it too small. I also didn't really want a 000 body for no other reason than it's the Clapton model and that's the one that everyone plays. People are like sheep, huh? My ultimate preference would have been a slotted headstock, 12-fret model, but the ones that are out there are incredibly expensive. So, I guess I settled on a 14-fret model. The only other guitar that I wish I'd looked into more are the Gibson L00 or Blues King. I happen to think that the current Bozeman Gibsons are some of the best guitars that they've ever made. I just wasn't able to check one of them out first and knew what I'd be getting with the Martin.
If this guitar were stolen, I'd take my insurance check right over and grab another one.

Brand New 00-18V made in 2005 by the greatest guitar company of them all: CFMartin & Co. A great guitar with vintage features such as long drop in saddle, tortoise binding, old style logo, bone nut and saddle. Mine has great mahogany back and sides and genuine mahogany modified "V" neck. The sitka top has aging toner. The short scale 24.9" is great for blues and just playing up and down the neck and playing those stretched chords since the frets are a tad smaller! The finish is fantasic on this particular guitar. The 00 is great for sitting and writing or just laying back on the couch! It has to be the most comfortable size going while still packing a pretty good punch. The sound is woody and dry, and it's brand new! I can't wait for it to open up some. Waverly tuners are great and feel good. The vintage Geib cases are fantastic and have the greatest padded handles out there!

This one has the sound that I was looking for. I have played numerous 00-18V's and I finally got the right one (not that they have a tentancy to be inferior, its just that i was looking for a particular sound, and i found it). I have no dislikes at all with the guitar. It has a sweet tone and a sweet feel. The guitar just begs for you to play the blues on it, thats for sure. Or thats just the way i feel when I pick it up! The bass is tight and the mids are generous. The highs are quite sweet. The overall sound is very well balanced, with a leaning towards mids and highs. You don't buy an 00-18V to crank out bluegrass tunes and overpower with bass!

As stated, the finish is superb.I dare say it is better finished than some higher priced Martins that i have owned. There is not a single flaw to be found. The inside is as clean as a whistle and Martin employees should be proud of this guitar. I am sure that they are! The strings sit well in the bridge holes and nut. The saddle is perfect. Tuners are perfectly aligned and feel good to turn.

I suppose it will withstand live playing, don't they all? How else does one play? Dead playing? Hardware will last longer than most prepackaged chips, for sure! Finish is great, i can't express that enough. The tonewoods are superb on a guitar of this price.

I am totally displeased with Martin customer service. They most often do NOT answer email. The times that they do, the question asked does not receive proper answer. If they are not going to run the business over the web properly, get off the web. Many people have to told me to just call them. What is the point of having a web service if you are just going to ignore your clientele. Shame on them for that, and I am writing the President to express my opinion.

Been playing a long time. Been playing Martins for about 10 years. I own a few Martins. IF this guitar were to be lost or stolen, I would purchase another.

Martin 00-18 V. Solid spruce top, mahogany back sides and neck. Open butter bean tuners, vintage finish, simplistic yet distinguished tortoise binding. Modified V neck with an Ebony fretboard (which feels very comfortable to play). Ebony bridge and tortoise end piece. Came with a beautiful 5 ply vintage series case. I give it a ten simply becuase of my own personal love for pre-war martins, and if you love pre war i highly reccommend checking out this guitar. this guitar offers the classic quailty and style of pre war martins and makes me feel as though im holding a piece of history, even though this guitar is new.

The sound of this guitar is amazing. I have been playing guitar for only about 4 years and when I became more serious I decided to buy a guitar that would serve my purposes and last a life time. My predominant influence and musical style is folk. I am a huge Guthrie and Dylan fan so a small bodied acoustic was what i was looking for. Before buying this guitar I played several other Martins, including other concert sized models and several Gibsons (j45 j50 Blues King). The sound seems hit or miss nowadays on almost every Gibson i have played. Martin sound stands out to me much more, especially on this model. By chance I stumbled into a local music store and the 00 was sitting waiting to be played. After about a half hour i couldnt leave without it. At $1200 NEW there was not resisting anyway. Beautiful warm sound, and great projection for a guitar this small. I use martin and/or ghs silk and steel light gauged strings, when used on this guitar give it gives a great smooth tone to accompany my voice and the sound of the harmonica. I do a lot of flat-picking, finger picking, and strumming, and the guitar sounds great with all 3 styles. As far as folk players go, i reccommend this guitar to anyone.

The action on this guitar was decent out of the case. Unfortunatly it was set up with medium guaged strings at the store i purchased it from, and a little tweeking was neccessary after i switched to the reccommended lights. Since the guitar wasnt strung with the right guage strings for the way it was set up, i really cant give an accurate factory set up review. The finsih on the guitar is a vintage finsih under a smooth as glass gloss. Very lovely looking, yet duarable finsih. I have had no problems with quality as far any other aspect of the finish goes. I give it a 9 judging the action on the guitar the way i recieved it.

This is the only guitar i use hwne i play live. holds tune very well. tough finish. tight fitting end pin. Did i mention this is possibly the most comfortable lap guitar i have ever played? The guitar is light as a feather even with a strap and at times i notice my harmoinca rack as more of a burden on my shoulders! I have never needed a back up guitar. The only bummer is lack of a pick up which can easily be installed.

Like i stated before, i have only been playing for 4 years. At the price i payed new for this guitar, it has become the best deal i could have come across. I own a vintage Gibson LG0 and it was time to upgrade. The only other guitar i would play if i had the chance is a 1933 Nick Lucas Special. Out of all the other brands and models i played this guitar held its own for the style of music i play. I plan on buying other guitars in the future, but this one will never fall to the way side.

2005 00-18V, purchased new. Solid woods, spruce top, mohogany back & sides. Black ebony fingerboard & bridge. 24.9 scale length, 1 3/4 string spacing at nut, modified V neck, 00 body. Very few bells and whistles, and that makes this particular model all the more beautiful. All specs available on Martin website. Top notch Geib style case.

I have wanted a short-scale, small body for quite some time. I didn't used to know the difference, a guitar was a guitar. But as I matured I learned that different songs require different styles of guitars. I needed the short-scale to go along with my Martin dreadnought (SPD-16 spruce/mohogany). Now I'm back to playing more of the style I grew up learning; JT, America, (70's pop), CSNY, fold, and so on. I can also play the newer Clapton unplugged type of music much easier now, Babyface type stuff, just a whole new lane open for me with the shorter scale and small body. The dread is sweet, but everything has its purpose. So, the sound fits my style both by design and the fact that this is by far the best Martin I've owned yet and, IMO, could only be matched by a custom builder.

Finish is impeccable, action close out of the box. Close than any of my previous Martins, and may only need broken in to be right. So I'm not going to tweak the saddle, nut, anything for quite some time; if at all.

Hard getting used to something that feels so delicate being so rugged. All of mine are still in one piece, no problems yet. I can't remember breaking a string on any Martin I've purchased. Keep in mind I play fingerstyle, no pick, 99.9% of the time, but this is still impressive.

I've had good, bad, and neutral experiences. All in all Martin has been there for me whether it be a simple question via email or an issue I felt needed addressed regarding the guitars I've owned. I think I've only had one issue regarding a guitar and it was a finish problem and it was resolved. I think if you deal with any company enough times your gonna feel like you lost a couple battles and have some negative experiences. Again, Martin has been there for me.

This is a very nice guitar and a great value. I know it's lot of money, but it's a lot of guitar. The vintage stuff has that little extra, that sizzle and growl that is distinguishable. You can play different styles of Martins and hear the songs that they were used to record. The harmonics are by far the best of any Martin I've owned. The V neck is something special. I love Martin guitars. I wouldn't mind having a Gibson J45 round shoulder, but other than that I don't plan on owning any other brand besides Martin unless it is from one of the custom builders. There is really no way to describe or put this guitar into words cause there aren't any, you just have to play it. I don't know what Martin does, I just know it's something very special. They are a blessing to own and play. I don't compare it to other brands, there is no comparison. No offense, but the 3 Taylors I tried didn't impresse me in the slightest. Fortunately with eBay you can dump the Taylors and get most of your money back. Every body has to try them at least once. Save your time, if you want a Taylor buy a big baby. It's by far their superior guitar. I love the Big Baby.

This is a tiny, beautiful righteous guitar. I got turned on to these by Larry Pattis, a fantastic fingerstyle guitarist and all-around great guy. Check out his stuff, you will not be disappointed. Anyway I screwed up my neck and was having trouble playing my Santa Cruz Vintage Jumbo, which I loved but the size was getting hard for me to manage. So I bought this new 0081V 2004. I got it from My Favorite Guitars in Minnesota, working with a guy named Jon Garon. He is a rock solid dealer, honest, willing to work with you, no BS: a great guy. This guitar is a 14 fret, solid spruce top, no electronics, Mahogany back and sides, gloss finish all around. Small 00 sized body style with vintage appointments all around including nickel Waverly open tuners. Thin frets, ebony fretboard, vintage style Geib case. Plain, no frills, VERY cool. It also just happens to be the guitar model favored by Steve Howe, my all time favorite guitarist!

Punchy, wood sound...has a wide neck (1.75 inches) and small body. A fingerpicker's dream. Fantastic sound for a guitar this sized

Tight, clean, Martin perfection

Small, light and delicate...I am going to pamper it...but it looks pretty durable

If you are looking for a small, vintage style guitar with big sound, and a nice wide neck for fingerpicking, get this one. I am very happy with it. It sounds just as good as the higher priced Collings C 10 and has a wider neck to boot. It sounds as good as the wonderful Santa Cruz and Collings 00 sized guitars but has 14 frets instead of 12, which is nice if you play up the neck.