Description
Our Take:
There's a reason why the D-18 is known as the Bluegrass go to guitar. It's stronger fundamental notes, upper mids and top end make it the secret weapon in many flat pickers arsenal. This example has Genuine Mahogany back and sides and an Adirondack Spruce top that make it a musical cannon. The Mahogany Neck also sports an Ebony Fretboard with a 16" radius, Old Style Abalone Fret Markers and an Authentic 1939 neck profile. This D-18 also comes with Martin's new VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM which allows Martin to accurately age the Tops and Braces of it's guitars to certain time periods. Whether your taking this guitar to a Bluegrass Jam, performing a Folk Standard on it or Using it to write your newest song, this guitar is a jack of all trades.
Martin's Take:
Here to remind you why you fell in love with us in the first place, the new Authentics are constructed the old way - with hide glue, throughout, and historically-accurate detailing confirmed by using a CAT scan machine located at the Smithsonian Institute. Based on a 1939 D-18 in our museum, this guitar features genuine mahogany back and sides, an Adirondack spruce top, using an authentic circa 1939 bracing pattern. Period-correct "18" Authentic-style appointments, with an Authentic neck barrel and heel, complete this piece. Martin’s new VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® (VTS) is employed for the top and braces. The new Martin VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® uses a unique recipe that is based on the historic torrefaction system. The VTS acts much like a time machine in which Martin can target certain time periods and age the top/braces to that era. This focused method allows Martin’s craftsmen and women to recreate not only the pleasing visual aesthetics of a vintage guitar, but also reproduce the special tones previously reserved for vintage instruments.
Standard Specifications
General Info
| Brand: | Martin |
| Model: | D-18 Authentic 1939 |
| Color: | Natural |
| Serial: | N/A |
| Weight: | Call |
| Condition: | New |
Body
| Top Material: | Adirondack Spruce with VTS |
| Back and Sides Material: | Genuine Mahogany |
| Finish: | Vintage Gloss |
Neck
| Material: | Genuine Mahogany |
| Finish: | Vintage Gloss |
| Fingerboard Material/Radius: | Ebony, 16" |
| Frets (Number): | 20 |
| Inlays: | Old Style 18 Abalone |
| Nut (Material and Width): | Bone, 1.69" |
| Scale Length: | 25.4" |
| Profile: |
Authentic 1939 |
Electronics
| Pickups: | N/A |
| Pickup Switching: | N/A |
| Controls: | N/A |
Hardware
| Tuning Machines: | Nickel Open Gear |
| Bridge: | Ebony |
| Pickguard: | Tortoise Pattern |
| Control Knobs: | N/A |
| Hardware Finish: | Nickel |
Accessories
Ply Hardshell Case