Martin Guitar's Best Kept Secret - The Underappreciated O-18

Martin Guitars Standard Series has historic models that made the brand the famous builder they are today, but there are also some overlooked gems that don't get the recognition they deserve. In this video, we take a look at the Martin O-18, a standout from the series that often stays in the shadow of bigger guitars like the 000-18 and D-18 despite its expert craftsmanship and design. Stick around until the end to see this incredible under-appreciated guitar in action!

0:00 Intro/Specs
2:50 Demo
5:21 Final Thoughts

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[rickstersrecords]

My wife bought me the Martin 0-18 at Gruhn Guitars back in December 22. What a wonderful little guitar! So comfortable to hold and to play. Plays like butter, and it has a deep tone that you might not expect for such a small guitar. I love this little guy!

[timnewman]

I have an 0-18 that I traded my 1978 Les Paul for literally a couple weeks before Covid hit in 2020... I love the sweet warm tone and it is just a fun to play "couch guitar"!

[bj]

Love this one. We found a 1952 0-18 back in 2015. It fits in proudly with my J-45, HD-28, and D18.

[johnoffutt]

I own the 0-18 guitar, and I had a luthier installed the LR Baggs Anthem, unbleached bone nut and saddle. Now timbre colours and flavors are more fuller and more sustain than before. I love this guitar!! I do use the ebony wood bridge pins because I like the woodier sound of the mids, bass.

[edgirovasi]

Cooper and Chris - please consider posting tabs for the great thing you play when doing these demos. You are both fantastic players. I just bought a 00-18 and love it !!

[Ravenwood]

Great little instrument...Still have the one I bought for my 18th birthday back in 1959. $125.00.

[bloxa]

bought one a year ago, I'll never buy a dread again.

[bekilcourse]

I bought one of these a couple of years ago, and it is a joy... it's especially good for recording work!

[andrewhumphrey]

I feel that the voice on the 0-18 is clear and concise. Perfect for fingerstyle, single note licking and light strumming.

[mikedovsky]

Cooper, you sure are one very talented musician. You made that 0-18 sing!

[GabrieleSantoro]

Tried on just today. I was astounded. Incredible projection for the size, sweet and warm tone, great overall balance. Maybe better than the 00-18 i tried just after

[rafallabata]

I'm 1'71cm tall, it's my main guitar, perfect in every way, I always accompany it with a DJR-10e, perfect in scale size for someone like my size. I complement them with 009/045 strings, simply perfect!

[Trdbrglr]

I’d like to hear the differences in this and the 12 fret version. You guys do a great job highlighting the differences when you do that, I’d like to see your take. Thanks!

[TVsBen]

I do kinda wish Martin had something between the 0-X2E and the 0-18. A theoretical $1400 "0-12E" (similar features and build to the 000-12E) would be just about ideal.

[IndigoJo]

The only guitarist I know who plays an 0-18 is Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, and back in 1991 or thereabouts, they and Nanci Griffith (plus Julie Gold, of From a Distance fame, and Mary Chapin Carpenter) appeared on Austin City Limits and Nanci played Listen To The Radio, which has the line "I've got a 00-18 Martin guitar on the back seat of the car" and when she sang that line, she winked over at Amy Ray, but hers is an 0-18.

[artrogers]

That’s my guitar! Love it for 2 years now.

[leelossi]

Fantastic guitar and guitar picking!! Thanks so much

[CaptainOfMyBurden]

Played one for the first time recently and was impressed with the BIG sound that came out of that little body and the warmth of tone was unforgettable.

[mariodriessen]

I played an old 0-18 about 14 months ago. I only played dreadnaught sized guitars before that and it felt and sounded soooo good, I knew I had to have a smaller guitar in my collection. I just bought a D-28 and I immediately ordered a 00-15m, knowing that it would take at least half a year to get it (covid, backorders, Europe, shipping, etcetera...). I couldn't afford the 0-18, but that's okay. I'm extremely happy with my 00-15m. It's the guitar I play more than any of my other guitars. But one day that 0-18 will be mine. 😎

[fo]

Nice review, thanks! ...I actually overappreciate the 0-18... but I'm underfunded... 😀