Martin 00018 1955CFMIV Acoustic Electric CFM IV 70TH Guitar - Aged Natural

Martin 000-18 1955 CFM IV 70TH — A Vintage Tribute at Sadek Music Celebrating Chris Martin IV’s 70th birthday, this limited-edition Martin 000-18 1955 CFM IV 70TH faithfully replicates the mid-century sound and well-worn vibe of a vintage 000-18 from 1955 — Chris’s birth year. At its heart is a reclaimed spruce top, honoring Chris’s role in leading Martin toward sustainable guitar building. This old-growth spruce, paired with era-accurate non-scalloped Sitka spruce X-bracing, captures the clear, focused, and responsive character that defined Martin’s ’50s acoustic tone. Solid mahogany back and sides add warmth and rich midrange depth. The neck features a select hardwood Golden Era Modified Low Oval profile for comfort, complemented by an FSC-certified rosewood fingerboard with 1955 Style 18 dot inlays, a slim 1.687-inch nut width, and a smooth satin finish. Vintage-inspired Kluson Vintage Waffleback tuners and an FSC-certified ebony bridge complete the package. Finished with a printed-on pattern emulating the authentic wear of Chris’s birth year guitar, this collector-grade instrument is ultra-rare — only 70 made, with Sadek Music offering a limited share. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Martin history.

Meet the man behind Martin’s modern golden age

For more than three decades, Chris Martin IV led America’s most historic guitar manufacturer into the modern era as CEO. In 1996, 163 years after Christian Frederick Martin established the company, Chris Martin IV celebrated a milestone with the company’s 750,000th serialized instrument. Under Chris’s fearless stewardship, that number grew to two million within a decade, reaching 2.5 million only a year after Chris retired in 2021. Furthermore, Chris Martin IV’s crucial role in Martin’s modernization goes far beyond ramping up production: Chris’s leadership of Martin has seen a faithful return to the company’s legendary prewar tonal roots on the brand’s Standard series offerings, the development of cutting-edge modern acoustic-electric creations like the SC series, and a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability.

Sustainably Sourced Reclaimed Spruce Top

To faithfully recreate the well-aged tone of the original 1955 000-18, the Martin 000-18 1955 CFM IV 70TH features a top crafted from sustainably sourced reclaimed spruce. This old-growth timber, harvested from disassembled log bridges, wind-felled trees, and barge ramp logs, embodies Chris Martin IV’s deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Supported by period-accurate non-scalloped Sitka spruce bracing and paired with solid mahogany back and sides, this combination delivers the signature focused clarity and definition that defined Martin’s mid-century instruments. Completing the homage, a printed-on pattern on the top authentically replicates the well-worn elegance of the vintage 1955 000-18 that inspired this limited-edition masterpiece. Available now at Sadek Music — own a piece of history with sustainable style.

Well-balanced 000 body shape

Smaller than a dreadnought but by no means a “parlor guitar,” Martin’s 000 body shape is a true 6-string Swiss Army knife, tackling everything from singer/songwriter strumming duties to melodic fingerstyle without batting an eye. Martin fans champion this shape for its exceptional string-to-string balance and comfortable playability — a byproduct of the 000’s slightly reduced 24.9-inch scale length. All in all, the 000 body shape is an ideal choice for guitarists who clamor for full-bodied Martin tone in a more comfortable, balanced-sounding package.

Martin 000-18 1955 CFM IV 70TH Features:

• Limited-edition Martin 000-18, celebrating Chris Martin IV’s 70th birthday
• Modeled after a vintage 000-18 from Chris’s birth year of 1955, featuring a printed-on pattern on the top to match the original’s aging
• Reclaimed spruce top from old-growth Alaskan logs resounds with a rich, responsive, and aged-in character
• Era-appropriate non-scalloped Sitka spruce X-bracing delivers a focused and balanced sound
• Traditional mahogany back and sides round out your sound with ample warmth and midrange definition
• Comfortable select hardwood neck in Martin’s GE Modified Low Oval profile, sealed with a satin finish for speed
• 16-in.-radius FSC-certified rosewood fingerboard with 1955 Style 18 dot inlays
• 1.687-in. nut width is sure to please players after a slightly slimmer feel
• Top-of-the-line Kluson Vintage Waffleback tuning machines keep your strings stable

Tech Specs

• String Type:Steel
• Number of Strings:6
• Left-/Right-handed:Right-handed
• Body Shape:000
• Back & Sides Wood:Mahogany
• Top Wood:Spruce
• Top Finish:Gloss
• Color:Aged Natural
• Body Bracing:X-Bracing
• Neck Wood:Select Hardwood
• Neck Finish:Satin
• Neck Shape:GE Modified Low Oval
• Radius:16"
• Fingerboard Material:FSC Certified Rosewood
• Fingerboard Inlay:Dots
• Number of Frets:20
• Scale Length:24.9"
• Scale Length Type:Standard-scale
• Nut Width:1.6875"
• Nut Material:Bone
• Saddle Material:Bone
• Bridge Material:Ebony
• Tuning Machines:Kluson Nickel Vintage Waffleback
• Strings:Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 - Light, .012-.054
• Case/Gig Bag:Hardshell Case