Brand: Martin
Instrument Categories: Acoustic Steel String, Guitars, SOLD
The Martin D-18 Dreadnought has become one of the standard go-to guitars, used by artists in almost every genre.
Introduced in 1932 with a 12-fret neck – the 14-fret neck was added in 1934 – the Martin D-8 dreadnought is based on the 1916 – 1930 Dreadnought 111 for the Oliver Ditson Company. Only 18 of that model had been built. Sales of the new D-18 Dreadnought were slow for a few years, but volume wars were on the horizon again. Guitarists soon were asking for more volume and more bass to be heard in radio orchestras. The D-18 has been in production ever since.
The D-18 ‘recipe’ has been fairly consistent over the years, with slight variations due to materials availability. The top is Spruce – originally Adirondack Spruce, shifting to Sitka during WW2 – and the sides, back, body blocks and neck are Mahogany. The un-bound fingerboard and bridge are Rosewood – again, originally Brazilian Rosewood but since 1969 Indian Rosewood.
Here we’re looking at a Martin D-18 Dreadnought in very nice clean condition, dating to October of 1989 and built at the Martin plant in Nazareth, PA. It has just been serviced at The Twelfth Fret Repair shop, receiving some binding repair and a setup. The finish is in quite good condition, and fret wear is minor. This guitar plays well, and as it looks like it hasn’t been played much it should further develop its voice with use.
The original Martin molded hard shell case is included.
- Model: D-18
- Year: 1989
- Finish Gloss Natural
- Class: Used
- Serial Number: 491216, dating to October 1989 in Nazareth PA
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 11/02/2022
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 4.07lbs 1.85kg
- Scale Length: 25.4in 645.16mm
- Nut Width: 1.682in 42.72mm
