Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips
archtop.com
2022 Martin D-18
Price and Status: For pricing and hold status of this instrument, please check here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please email your specific requests to [email protected].
Serial #: 2694960, stamped on neck block
Body width at lower bout: 15 5/8" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Scale length: 25.4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .82/.90
Materials: Solid bookmatched Sitka spruce top; solid bookmatched figured mahogany back, sides, and neck; solid ebony fingerboard; solid ebony bridge with compensated bone saddle; Grover nickel 18:1 butterbean tuners; dark swirl tortoise pickguard; black bridgepins; tortoise 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 1931, Martin introduced its own dreadnought models, still retaining the 12 fret bodies of the Ditsons. Originally designated the D-1 model, Martin's mahogany bodied dreadnought was rechristened the D-18 later that year. Finally, in 1934 the company debuted the 14 fret square shoulder body, and together with its companion model D-28, become Martin's most popular guitars, and most influential flat tops of all time.
The D-18 has always been prized by players ever since for its light weight, warm and detailed voice, and its superlative balance in the recording studio. This classic version is a model of elegant simplicity, with its figured mahogany body, X-braced Sitka spruce soundboard, solid ebony fingerboard and bridge, and distinctive tortoise binding and pickguard. And a delight to contemporary players, Martin has revived the generous prewar 1 3/4" fingerboard width and scalloped soundboard braces, for enhanced sustain and dynamic range.
At barely 4lb 2oz, the guitar is happily light in weight, and exquisitely balanced, with a vintage style thin gloss 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 playwear, and is equipped with prewar style nickel high-ratio Grover 18:1 tuners, and its original deluxe black 5-ply hardshell case, with original paperwork.
A timeless classic, that the decades could not improve: 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.
