When Peghead Nation’s Irish Backup Guitar instructor Flynn Cohen was recently shooting lessons at Emerald Rae’s home studio in Vermont (check out Emerald’s brand-new Beginning Celtic Fiddle course!), he noticed a vintage Martin, and as most guitarists would do, he asked to check it out. The instrument turned out to be a 1963 000-18 that was purchased new by Emerald’s grandfather, and while it has incurred a few battle scars in the last six decades, the guitar is still in great overall condition. 

As a standard style-18 instrument, the guitar is built with mahogany back and sides and a spruce top. Like most Martin 000s built after 1934, the guitar has a 14-fret neck and a short scale, making it similar to the 00-18V reissue that Flynn typically plays (check out Doug Young’s recent demo of a 1926 Martin 000-18, which has the earlier 12-fret neck and long scale). In this video, Flynn demonstrates the guitar by playing some of the Irish backup guitar styles he’s known for, showcasing the instrument’s rich, balanced voice and impressive dynamic range. 

To study with Flynn, enroll in his Irish Backup Guitar course now!

To study with Emerald, enroll in her Beginning Celtic Fiddle course now!

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