Vintage 1920 Martin 00-18

This is a very special guitar for us at Heirlooms. In fact, it is the guitar that got us all interested in vintage instruments. We were so impressed that such a delicate instrument that was truly due for retirement can be so amazingly restored (and improved) to its prime. You have to understand that at the beginning of the 1900s, the state of guitar building was at the budding stage before the Golden Era of the 30s. Many of these instruments were meant for gut strings and the changes that were soon to be adopted, the X-bracing for steel strings is still on the horizon. 

We have no idea how the guitar came to be in several pieces. But, under the expert restoration of fame luthier Deve Blackshear, this guitar is not only put together seamlessly but also adopted the upgraded modern bracings (and bridge plate) to withstand steel strings. You can barely see the 'scars' of this major surgery of sorts that was done quite some time back. An aged correct Adirondack wood with the quintessential hallmark of a golden hue graced the top.

But, it wasn't the work done that impressed us but the sound of this reborn granddaddy. This guitar is so resonant that it almost sounds like it has a natural reverb built in.