From the Factory, Players | December 11, 2024

Les Paul’s 1929 Martin 0-18K: The Guitar That Started It All 

The Martin Museum offers a glimpse into Les Paul’s early days with his first “good guitar” 

In our ongoing series celebrating the legendary guitars on display at the Martin Museum, we've explored the instruments of icons like Kurt Cobain, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams. Today, we’re diving into the story of an extraordinary guitar belonging to one of music’s greatest innovators: Les Paul. 

Known to many as the father of the modern electric guitar, Les Paul’s impact on both music and recording technology is immeasurable. But before he became synonymous with electric guitars, including his namesake Gibson, Les started his musical journey on a Martin acoustic – a 1929 0-18K. 

Les Paul: A Pioneer in Music and Technology 

Les Paul was more than just a talented guitarist – he was a musical visionary. Born Lester Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in 1915, he picked up guitar as a young teenager, playing everything from jazz to blues. 

Les’ natural curiosity led him to experiment with sounds, crafting unique ways to push the boundaries of what a guitar could do. His many innovations included multi-track recording, digital delay, reverb, and even the harmonica holder – a tool he invented as a young musician. “He was kind of like a mad scientist,” says Archives and Museum Manager Jason Ahner. 

Les’ legacy is most often associated with solid-body electric guitars, particularly “The Log” – a wooden slab he turned into one of the first solid-body electrics in the 1940s. However, his journey began with a humble but significant acoustic guitar, the Martin 0-18K, which now holds a place of honor in the Martin Museum. 

The 1929 Martin 0-18K: Les Paul’s First “Good Guitar” 

This koa guitar, currently on loan to the Martin Museum from Benny Goodman (@the_neurotic_guitarist), was Les’ first quality instrument. 

“It was Les Paul's first good guitar,” Jason explains. “He was around 15 or 16 when he got it.” Before that, Les had been playing on a budget model, most likely something from a Sears catalog. Determined to improve, he convinced his mother to buy him the Martin 0-18K. Its all-koa construction, a specialty of Martin’s Hawaiian-inspired models at the time, made it an instrument that stood out both in tone and aesthetics. 

Les took his dedication to the guitar to another level. “He was really into wanting to learn how to play,” says Jason. “So, he would sneak out of his house and go see a musician named Sunny Joe Wolverton at a local jazz club.” Eager to learn, Les would jot down fret numbers on a napkin by the light of his lighter and then transfer those notes directly onto his guitar’s fingerboard. 

“He numbered the fingerboard so he could learn to play exactly how Sunny Joe was playing,” Jason notes. This guitar is where Les honed the skills that would later define his iconic sound and career. 

A Piece of Guitar History on Display 

While Les Paul is widely remembered for his association with electric guitars, his connection to his Martin acoustic reminds us of the formative role this instrument played in his life. Les’ pioneering spirit in sound and music was nurtured on this very guitar. As Jason says, “The fact that he owned a Martin, and it was his first good guitar, is really amazing.” 

The Martin Museum is also home to another piece of guitar history – a modified 000-18 that belonged to Fred Clay, a friend of another name synonymous with the electric guitar: Leo Fender. This guitar represents Fender’s first attempt at electrifying a fretted instrument, further illustrating Martin’s connections to electric guitar innovation. 

“All we need now is something from Paul Bigsby, like Merle Travis’ D-28 with that Bigsby neck on it,” Jason jokes, underscoring the museum's impressive collection of groundbreaking instruments. 

The Legacy Lives On 

Les Paul’s contributions spanned beyond just playing guitar – he redefined what was possible in the recording and music technology worlds. But it’s fitting that his journey began with a Martin acoustic, an instrument that holds a timeless place in music history. 

Les’ story, much like the Martin 0-18K, serves as a reminder of where even the most legendary musicians start – with a simple, well-crafted guitar and a relentless drive to explore new horizons and create new sounds. 

More from Martin 

To learn more about the many legendary instruments in our collection, check out our Martin Guitar video series Behind the Glass, featuring episodes on iconic instruments from the very first D-28 ever built to the “holy grail” of acoustic guitars. 

And if you find yourself pulling into Nazareth, make sure to stop by the Martin Museum to take a closer look at the guitars that helped shape the sounds of popular music. 

Stay tuned for more amazing stories from the Martin Museum, where we’ll continue to explore the rich history behind these extraordinary guitars. 

Until then, happy playing!