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2019 Martin D-18, Modern Deluxe
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Serial #: 2339499, stamped on neck block
Body width at lower bout: 15 5/8" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Scale length: 24.9" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .77/.87
Materials: Solid bookmatched (VTS) Vintage Tone System Sitka spruce top; solid bookmatched figured mahogany back, sides, and neck; solid ebony fingerboard with EVO gold fretwork; solid ebony bridge with compensated bone saddle; gold Waverly 16X1 butterbean tuners; swirl tortoise pickguard; Liquidmetal inlaid bridgepins; rosewood body binding; hex-key adjustable truss rod.
Notes: The first dreadnought guitars were built by CF Martin in 1916, on special order for the Oliver Ditson Company. Named after a contemporary battleship design, the dreadnought was the largest production steel string guitar of its day. In 1930, Martin introduced its own dreadnought models, still retaining the 12 fret bodies of the Ditsons. Finally, in 1934 the company debuted the 14 fret square shoulder body, a model that has become Martin's most popular guitar, and the most influential flat top of all time.
Designated the D-1 on its introduction, the D-18 has been far and away the most popular of all Martin dreadnoughts to this day. Its lightweight mahogany body is famed for its warmth and clarity, making it a particular favorite of top studio players. Martin's Modern Deluxe edition of this venerable model has used contemporary technology to recreate the vibrant, open voice of the fabled prewar models.
The Vintage Tone System conditions the soundboard with a proprietary torrefaction process, which both lightens and strengthens the spruce, with results similar to decades of natural aging. This harder, lighter tonewood can dramatically improve both volume and clarity, and combined with prewar style forward-shifted X bracing, can produce an unusually resonant voice, further enhanced with its ultra-light composite carbon bridgeplate.
Upscale cosmetic touches include solid rosewood binding, matching gold Waverly tuners and fretwork, Liquidmetal bridgepins, and an elegant pearl inlaid script logo. Finally, Martin has introduced a slightly asymmetrical profile on the solid mahogany neck, for a truly effortless feel in the hand, with the generous prewar 1 3/4" nut width.
At a scant 3lb 9oz, the guitar is phenomenally light in weight, and exquisitely balanced, with a vintage style thin nitro lacquer finish. The voice is strikingly resonant, with open, powerful bass and a sparkling upper register, ideal for either pick or finger style play. This gleaming example is in showroom condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and is complete with its original deluxe hardshell case and paperwork.
A compelling blend of traditional and contemporary design from America's most renowned builder of acoustic guitars: one only, call now.
Setup: String action is set to 4/64" to 5/64ths at the 12th fret, and the instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier strings, according to preference.
