Joe Bonamassa is one of the most respected guitarists in the world, but his reputation extends well beyond his playing. He is an obsessive guitar collector with a remarkably deep knowledge of vintage instruments and a particular appreciation for the guitars of Martin's Golden Era. Considering the breadth and quality of his collection, it's pretty cool to see a signature Martin bearing his name—and even better when it's based on one of his own vintage guitars. The 00-18 Joe Bonamassa is modeled after Joe's spectacular 1937 shade-top 00-18, an especially rare finish of Martin's most enduring small-body design.
Joe purchased his guitar from the family of the original owner who purchased it new in 1937, and he even has photos of its original owner playing the instrument in the 1940s. With the new signature model, Martin goes well beyond simply putting his name on a standard 00-18; the 00-18 Joe Bonamassa recreates both the Golden Era construction and also the distinctive appearance of Joe's guitar. It features a solid Spruce top with the custom 1937 Joe Bonamassa Sunburst, a Mimaki print of the shade-top finish and unique wear pattern on Joe's guitar. From there, it has genuine mahogany back and sides, Golden Era scalloped X-bracing, faux tortoise binding and pickguard, an Old Style 18 multi-stripe rosette, and a Guatemalan rosewood headplate. The top finish gives the new guitar the appearance of a well-played vintage instrument without resorting to a relic treatment—it's still a pristine, brand-new guitar with a high-gloss finish.
The 00 body is comfortable, manageable, and couch-friendly, but it still captures the voice and projection of a full-size Martin. The 24.9" scale—paired with a 1-3/4" nut and the GE Modified Low Oval neck profile—deliver a high-level playing experience that pays homage to the '30s original. Golden Era scalloped X-bracing keeps the response lively and touch-sensitive, with the spruce and mahogany combination producing the focused, woody midrange, clear trebles, and punchy low end that make prewar 00-18s such effective blues and fingerstyle guitars. The ebony fingerboard and bridge, Style-18 inlays, nickel open-gear tuners, and long bone saddle complete the period-inspired package.
For anyone who appreciates vintage Martins, the 00-18 Joe Bonamassa is a recreation of a particular guitar that has meant a great deal to Joe, right down to the unusual shade-top appearance and the unique wear pattern that tells the story of its life. This new model is also an expression of what makes a 00-18 so appealing in the first place: compact dimensions, a manageable short scale, mahogany warmth, and an immediate response. A modern Martin with the visual character of a rare prewar original, and a voice well-suited for blues, fingerstyle, songwriting, and anyone who simply enjoys a great small-body guitar.
- Body Size: 00-14 Fret
- Top: Spruce
- Back & Sides: Genuine Mahogany
- Top Finish: 1937 Joe Bonamassa Sunburst
- Top Purfling: Black & Maple Fiber Multi-Stripe
- Back & Sides: Genuine Mahogany
- Body Binding: Faux Tortoise
- Back Purfling: Style-18
- Endpiece: Faux Tortoise
- Bracing: 1/4" Spruce, GE-Scalloped X-Brace
- Rosette: Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe
- Bridge: Ebony, GE Modern Belly, Drop-In Long Saddle
- Bridge String Spacing: 2 5/16"
- Bridge Pins: Black Plastic
- Saddle: Bone, 16" Radius
- Pickguard: Faux Tortoise
- Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
- Neck: Genuine Mahogany
- Neck Profile: GE Modified Low Oval
- Scale Length: 24.9"
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Fingerboard Inlay: Old Style-18 Abalone
- Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1-3/4"
- Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2-1/4"
- Nut: Bone
- Heelcap: Ebony
- Headplate: Guatemalan Rosewood
- Headstock Logo: Authentic Style Script Overlay
- Tuners: Nickel Open Gear, Oval Knobs
- Body FInish: High Gloss
- Neck Finish: Satin