1937 Martin D-18 Natural

DESCRIPTION
A true “Holy Grail!” 1937 Martin D-18! Christian Fredrick Martin founded C.F Martin & Company in 1833 and is credited as being the first guitar builder in America. He, along with his company, would go on to invent/develop many of the hallmarks of the modern guitar. Today Martin is a household name even for non-guitar players. In 1850 Martin developed the “X” bracing pattern. In 1916 they built the first Dreadnought for the Oliver Ditson Company. Named after a large battleship of the Royal Navy! In 1931 they reintroduced the dreadnaught with their “X” bracing and only 6 year later this wonderful D-18 would be built. This guitar is the culmination of over a 100 years of development and manufacturing. It has all of Martins’ groundbreaking inventions. Dreadnought body-size, 14 frets to the body and of course the coveted forward shifted scalloped “X” bracing. To this day C.F Martin & Company still bases their finest D-18 Reissue on this exact year of production!

Specs: This guitar is in good condition for its age. All the repairs were professional done. It has been completely over-sprayed. Several top cracks have been glued and reinforced with parallel strips of spruce. Side cracks have been cleated and some have cloth reinforcement. It has had a neck reset and a refret. The bridge and bridge plate have been replaced. It has a new bone nut and saddle. The tuners have been replaced with a set of Waverlys. Brazilian rosewood overlay on the headstock. New bone nut with a 1.75″ width. Mahogany neck with a depth of .80″ at the first fret and 1.14″ at the twelfth fret (V-shape). It has a 25.4″ scale length. Ebony fingerboard with a 16″ radius. Action measures 3/32″ on the bass side and 2/32″ on the treble side. Refretted with 20 medium frets currently in very good condition. Adirondack spruce top with mahogany back and sides. New ebony bridge with a new bone saddle and a new bridge plate. Comes with a non-original 70s blue Martin hard shell case. Weighs 3 pounds and 14 ounces.

A truly superior instrument both in tone as well as playability. It has a wonderful deep warm tone that is extremely well balanced in its different registers. Great bass response, but will not dominating your performance. Beautiful top end that sits comfortably above your chords. Action is set perfectly, plays fast, comfortable but all the notes still ring out and sustain. A real monument in guitar history, built after a century of manufacturing and with its new lease on life it is sure to see its 100th birthday shortly!

DETAILS
Year: 1937

Model: D-18

Serial: 68408

Finish: Natural.

Case: Comes with a non-original 70s blue Martin hard shell case.

Weight: 3 pounds and 14 ounces.

Condition: This guitar is in good condition.

Modifications: This guitar has been completely over sprayed. It has a had neck reset and a refret. Many top cracks have been glued and reinforced with parallel strips of spruce. Side cracks have been cleated, some have cloth reinforcement. The bridge was replaced with an ebony bridge. Bridge plate has been reglued. New bone nut and saddle. The tuners have been replaced with Waverlys.

Comments: One of Martin's "Holy Grail" acoustics!