Martin D-18 Sitka Spruce and Mahogany Vintage 1969 It is said that at times during the 50's and 60's, Martin had a 3 year backlog in instrument orders! Nothing else sounded like a Martin and nothing else would do. It was the prestigious guitar to own. This backlog would lead Martin to build their new factory in Nazereth in 1964 where they continue to build today. This 1969 Martin D-18 was built just a few years later and happens to be one of the most tonally balanced D-18s we have come across. The now legendary D-18 design was introduced officially in 1934 and along with the D-28, set the standard by which all guitars would be judged... even to this day. The D-18 is famous for it's dry, woody sound. Built with Mahogany back and sides and a spruce top. It was famously easy to record and many years after it's introduction would become the quintessential guitar for flatpickers such as Doc Watson and even Clarence White. Even though Clarence made a D-28 famous, he is known for recording with the D-18, as it offered a more direct and balanced tone long before the days of EQ and "fixing it in the mix." Point a good D-18 into a microphone at the right spot and your done! This particular D-18 has a Sitka Spruce top, which replaced the Adirondack tops of the pre-war guitars. Adirondack was nearly non-existent after the war, since it was used for just about everything due to its strength and rigidity. Sitka Spruce, however, was very plentiful and as it turns out, a very nice tonewood in it's own right! Sitka Spruce isn't as stiff as Adirondack and has a lower stiffness-to-weight ratio. A positive side-effect of this more flexible soundboard is that it doesn't take near as much strength to produce tone. A player with a lighter attack or even fingerstyle players will find Sitka Spruce much more suited to their playing style. The set of Sitka Spruce on this '66 shows nice grain figuring and has aged beautifully. The trebles are rich with a balanced tone across the spectrum and none of the low-end woofiness that can sometimes plague dreadnought guitars. The fretboard and bridge are Brazilian Rosewood, no doubt contributing to the balanced high-end on this guitar. This guitar shows numerous dings and scratches, as the detail photographs will demonstrate. There are two cracks on the waist of the guitar that have been professionally repaired. There is one small surface crack on the back of the guitar, as well as no end pin or strap button. The bridge has been reglued and there is some light lacquer haze on the face and back of headstock. Includes Hardshell Case.Features :
Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
Back Wood: Mahogany
Scale: 25.4"
Nut Width: 1 11/16"
Frets To Body: 14
Serial Number: 25080
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood
Bracing: Martin Scalloped X
Headstock Shape: Solid Square
Headstock Overlay: Rosewood
Headstock Inlay: Martin Decal
Tuners: Nickel Waverly with Ebony Buttons
Inlays: Dots
Rosette: 18 Style
Purfling: B/W/B/W
Body Binding: Black
Pickguard: Tortoise Style
Nut Material: Bone
Saddle Material: Bone
Saddle Spacing: 2 1/8"
Bridge Pins: Ebony
Neck Profile: Soft V
Pickup(s): Optional
Case: Hardshell Case
List price: $2,699.99