Martin D-18 1953, Natural

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Specs


Instrument	Dreadnought
Brand	Martin
Model	D-18
Finish	Natural
SKU	GF6843-A
Handedness	Right
Made In Year	1953
Top	Adirondack Spruce
Back and Sides	Mahogany
Finish Material	Lacquer
Neck/Fingerboard	Mahogany / Ebony
Fingerboard Radius	16"
Brace Pattern	X
Tuners	Original Kluson
Bridge	Rosewood Belly
Scale Length	25.4"
Nut Width	1.675"
String Spacing at Saddle	2.180"
Contains Brazilian Rosewood (Y/N)	Y
Case	HSC
Modifications/Repairs	Neck reset, bridge re-glue, refret, filled fingerboard divots, reglued braces, bridge plate has been doweled, repaired side crack near heel at treble side

Description

When it comes to flatpicking, it’s tough to beat an old Martin D-18! This example from 1953 is perfectly played in, with the sort of playing wear reserved for the best sounding guitars out there. This instrument is dry and punchy, with a beautiful clarity often present in Martins from this era. Straight-braced, this guitar has plenty of balance, volume and responsiveness. While traditionally used as a bluegrass flatpicking machine, this D-18 is equally suited to folky strumming and fingerpicking a-la Bob Dylan.

This guitar has been well-loved and played, with some notable marking/denting in the finish on the lower bout bass side, and various more minor dings and finish wear throughout. A side crack near the heel on the treble side has been repaired, the bridge plate has been doweled, and the braces reglued. It's also had the usual maintenance work—a neck reset, bridge reglue, refret, and filled fingerboard divots.

Bonus: Included in the case is the original sales receipt from the shop in Springfield, MO that sold it on September 30, 1953!

*When using Affirm, we charge an additional 3.5% fee on the total at checkout. The majority of our instruments are consignment, where CVG keeps a small percentage of each sale. To be able to cover the additional costs required to offer financing, we have to include a higher fee to the customer. The 3.5% fee will be included in and spread across your Affirm payments.