Martin's D-18 is pretty much the perfect dreadnought. The ebony fretboard and bridge add clarity and articulation to the high-mids and treble, while the mahogany back and sides keep the low end focused rather than boomy. This is a guitar built for strumming and flatpicking in equal measure. Coming in at a lower price point than the rosewood-backed D-28 doesn't hurt either. Martin decided to add Golden Era style scalloped bracing to this part of the line, pushing it even further into stupid-good-deal status.
The Martin D-18 has been in continuous production since 1932, and the current Standard Series represents Martin's commitment to traditional construction — scalloped X-bracing, solid tonewoods throughout, and a 25.4" long scale. The Modified Low Oval neck profile with High Performance Taper is a modern appointment that makes the instrument more accessible across the fretboard without departing from the traditional D-18 character. The 16" fretboard radius, 1-3/4" nut width, and bone nut are all spec'd for a player's guitar. Grover open-gear tuners, abalone dot inlays, and a faux tortoiseshell pickguard round out the traditional aesthetic. The maple bridge plate and spruce bracing are original and in excellent condition.
Overall condition is excellent: the original finish is intact, the neck, frets, and hardware are all in excellent shape, and the guitar presents very well. There is one small ding on the top — see photos. There is also a small finish crack at the top/side waist on the back — see photos. Neither involves a structural crack or repair. Fretboard condition is excellent. Action measures 3/32" on both the 1st and 6th strings at the 12th fret. Comes in a generic hard shell case in excellent condition — not the original Martin case.
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