Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $2,756
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Martin 000-18". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Meet the Martin 000-18, an acoustic guitar that hails from the Standard Series and exudes a unique blend of vintage appeal and modern playability. A favorite among singer-songwriters and acoustic soloists, this instrument promises a balanced, rich tone that's undeniably Martin. Crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the 000-18 delivers tight bass, warm mids, and crisp highs.
The 24.9" short-scale neck with a modified low-oval profile is designed with the Performing Artist taper to guarantee comfortable fretting. To top it off, the open-geared tuners with butterbean knobs add a touch of retro-mod charm to this guitar.
Martin's all-solid wood construction ensures a resonant, complex tone that the brand is renowned for. This, paired with the spruce top's punchy attack and the mahogany body's depth and warmth, creates an articulate sound projection that cuts through any mix. The 1-3/4" nut width and 2-3/16" string spacing strike a perfect balance between complex chords and nimble single-note runs. The distressed sunburst finish, vintage logo on the headstock, and tortoise binding edges all contribute to the 000-18's 1940s charm.
Key Features:
- Auditorium body style for excellent projection and focus
- Solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides for a rich, timeless tone
- Modified low-oval neck profile with Performing Artist taper for comfortable playability
- 24.9" short-scale neck for easy fretting
- 1-3/4" nut width and 2-3/16" string spacing for complex chords and nimble single-note runs
- Open-geared tuners with butterbean knobs for smooth tuning action
- Distressed sunburst finish, vintage logo on the headstock, and tortoise binding edges for a retro-mod aesthetic
- Built with the highest quality components, backed by Martin's lifetime warranty.
Product specs
| String Type | Steel |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | 000-18 Standard Auditorium |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid Mahogany |
| Top Wood | Solid Spruce |
| Top Finish | Gloss |
| Body Bracing | X-brace |
| Neck Wood | Select Hardwood |
| Neck Finish | Satin |
| Neck Shape | GE Modified Low Oval |
| Radius | 16" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Old Style 18 |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Scale Length | 24.9" |
| Nut Width | 1.75" |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Saddle Material | Compensated Bone |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Tuning Machines | Nickel Open-gear |
| Strings | Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0, .012-.054 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What type of wood is used for the Martin 000-18's body?
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The Martin 000-18 features solid mahogany for the back and sides and a solid spruce top, which contributes to its rich and balanced tonal quality.
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What is the neck profile of the Martin 000-18?
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The Martin 000-18 has a GE Modified Low Oval neck profile with a satin finish, providing a comfortable and smooth playing experience, especially for fingerstyle players.
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Is the Martin 000-18 suitable for fingerstyle guitar playing?
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Yes, the Martin 000-18's auditorium body shape and 1.75" nut width make it particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, offering clarity and balance across the tonal spectrum.
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Does the Martin 000-18 come with a case?
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Yes, the Martin 000-18 includes a hardshell case for protection and easy transportation.
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What kind of strings come with the Martin 000-18?
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The Martin 000-18 is equipped with Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 strings, gauged .012-.054, which enhance its tone and longevity.
Videos
Acoustic Letter
Martin 000-18 vs 000-28 - Tone Wood Comparison
Reviews
PROS
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Deep, warm, and articulate tone with no muddy bass
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Lightweight and comfortable 000 body size
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Excellent build quality, superior to many lesser Martin models
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Intimate sound profile, perfect for fingerstyle and rhythm strumming
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Superb playability with a low and easy action
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High-quality woods and well-dressed frets
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Great projection and resonant sound
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Versatile for both fingerpicking and strumming
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Inspiring instrument that encourages improvement
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Unique, pleasant smell
CONS
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First string tuner can feel notchy
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin 000-18.
Comparisons
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The 2025 000-18 has a slightly thicker neck than previous models, improving comfort for some players compared to the old Modified Low Oval (MLO) neck.
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The Martin 000-18 and 000-15m have different scales and nut widths, impacting playability and feel.
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The 000-18 offers a distinct experience compared to dreadnoughts, with a preference for a lighter playing style that showcases the tonal beauty of the tonewoods.
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User experience
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New 000-18 owners find improved tone with picks versus fingerstyle, more noticeably than with less expensive guitars like Alvarez models.
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Owners note the 000-18 is easier to bend strings on, enhancing playability compared to standard scale models like the Alvarez.
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New owners often find themselves captivated by the guitar's sound, sometimes simply letting chords ring just to appreciate the tonal richness.
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Owners find a noticeable tonal improvement when switching from thick to very thin-gauge picks, highlighting the guitar's responsiveness.
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Mods and upgrades
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Snarling Dog picks, particularly red (medium) and black (heavy), are favored for improved acoustic tone compared to Dunlop nylon picks.
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Setup and maintenance
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The guitar is reported to be highly sensitive to humidity changes, more so than other acoustics, emphasizing the importance of consistent humidification.
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Some users experience a slight buzz on the D string when using a capo on the second fret, indicating potential setup adjustments.
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Martin's warranty does not cover neck resets, which can be a costly repair if needed after years of use.
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Some owners report fret buzz on new 000-18s, potentially due to low action or new strings, affecting tone perception.
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Value and pricing
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A 20% discount on new models is considered a strong deal, especially given the potential cost of future repairs on used guitars.
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Use cases and applications
Build quality
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The 2025 models use Mahogany instead of "Genuine Mahogany," a change attributed to material costs and availability.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings
517
Main acoustic for a while
Until I got my hands on the Guild, I was using this guitar on pretty much everything. It was the acoustic guitar heard on Death in the Afternoon + self titled, as well as on every project I did pre-college and the 10-track mixtape from 2017.
106
Artist usage
Add artist
In this Video [https://youtu.be/SH_cmVWDpQs] [Israel Nebeker] uses a 1957 Martin 000-18. I know cause I asked him on Instagram :)
According to the National museum of American History:
The guitar was owned and used by Libba (Elizabeth) Cotton. Libba taught herself to play the banjo and the guitar as a child, holding the instruments upside down because she was left handed. “… I learned the banjo upside down because I couldn’t change them (the strings) because it belonged to my brother.” By the age of twelve she had composed “Freight Train.” At fifteen Libba was already married. Her religious convictions prompted her to abandon musical pursuits in favor of raising her family and serving God. Elizabeth Cotton moved to Washington, DC in the 1930s where she found employment in the home of the musical Seeger family. Hearing music around the house where she was working, Libba was encouraged to pursue a professional career in music that included recordings, concerts and national tours. In 1984 she was awarded the NEA National Heritage Fellowship, and in 1985 she received a Grammy Award for her album “Elizabeth Cotton Live.” Her syncopated, lyrical blues music continues to live through a wide range of performers who have been influenced by her work.
In this Tiny Desk Concert by NPR, I'm pretty sure Sarah is playing a vintage Martin 000-18E acoustic guitar from 1964.
In this YouTube video, Martin Carthy sings and plays 'Byker Hill" [https://www.guitarworksltd.com/shop/Acoustic-Guitars/Steel-String-Acoustics/p/2003-Martin-000-18MC-Martin-Carthy-Signature-Acoustic---28-of-84.htm] using his Martin 000-18, accompanied by fiddler Dave Swarbrick as clearly seen [0:29 - 0:43/2:00] ..
Chance Peña is confirmed to use a Martin 000-18 guitar, as evidenced in a video by Normans Rare Guitars on YouTube where he performs his song "Conversations in the Dark" with a 1959 model of this guitar.
Album Usage
The Martin 000-18 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Martin 000-18, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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