Martin 018K (1927)

December 1, 2020 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

In response to the rising popularity of Hawaiian music in the early 1900's, Martin introduced Koa guitars, available with standard or Hawaiian setup.

Built entirely of Koa wood, these guitars looked and sounded very different from their spruce topped cousins that Martin is famous for.

This 018K was designed for Hawaiian playing, with a flat fingerboard, frets inlaid flush with the fingerboard, and the saddle mounted straight across the strings rather than at an angle. It is played rested on the lap and facing up, with a metal slide.

Many of these Hawaiian guitars have since been "converted" for standard Spanish style playing. That makes this surviving 018K rare and a jewel of a guitar!