In the early 1930s, Martin took their shot at a series of archtop guitars, fueled by the needs of big band players and stiff competition from other companies. These guitars were quickly outpaced by bigger and louder archtops from Gibson and faded into Martin history. However, their irrelevance a century ago has no effect on our appreciation today. This Martin R-18 is well-preserved for its age, all original apart from one replaced tuner, and its mahogany back and sides with a spruce top provide a warmth that has only sweetened with time. Don't miss out on this beautiful heirloom guitar!