Martin Custom Shop Empire Music Exclusive “Museum Inspired” 0-18K #72353

Empire Music’s exclusive “Museum Inspired” series of Martin Custom Shop guitars brings guitars to life based on their inclusion in the C.F. Martin Museum.  These small batch Custom Shop runs are designed by the Martin Custom Shop team and Empire Music Owner Joe Ravita.

These models take the original build specifications into consideration, while modernizing them in ways, to create beautifully inspired pieces.

Our first “Museum Inspired” model is the 1929 Martin 0-18K #40602.  

This is limited to a total production of five pieces.

This specific 1929 Martin 0-18K (serial number 40602) was owned by none other than Les Paul.  This guitar was given to Les by his mother when he was 15 years old.  It was his first quality acoustic guitar.  Les was enamored with Jazz at the time of receiving this guitar and marked his guitar with pencil on each fret so that he could learn to play beyond the fifth fret!  

Like the original, this exquisite piece features:

• Solid Koa Top, Back and Sides
• Brazilian Rosewood Binding, Heelcap and Headplate
• ¼” Scalloped Bracing
• Black Ebony Fingerboard and Bridge
• 30s Style V Neck Shape with 1 ⅞” Nut Width
• 2 ⅜” String Spacing
• Drop-in Long Bone Saddle
• Ebony Nut
• Cloth Side Strips and Spanish Cedar Ribbons

We have elevated this model to modern standards by including an adjustable truss rod.

“I toured the Museum for an entire day and this 1929 Martin 0-18K (serial number 40602) immediately stood out.  Martin Guitars have been in the hands of the world’s most famous musicians since their inception, however what made this one special to me was that Les Paul honed his skills upon it before he was famous.  A world-class instrument for a yet to be known world-class guitar player.  Martin 0-18K #40602 had to be the first guitar for Empire Music’s “Museum Inspired” collection.” –Joe Ravita, Owner Empire Music

You will receive the exact guitar shown in this listing: Serial Number: 2772353