The Martin D-18 is the classic workhorse dreadnought, and one of the most customized models, even early on. We ordered this one with some upgraded vintage inspired tonewoods and specs. This Martin D-18 Custom Shop features old growth ‘Sinker’ Mahogany back, sides, neck and blocks originally cut down in the late 1800s. The areas of present day Belize and Honduras in Central America were part of a British colony at that time. Logging this old growth virgin timber deep in the rain forests to export this prime, rare timber at the time was no easy task. Using the rivers as the only means of transport, needless to say some logs did not make it. Many sunk in the mud and basically became a time capsule, aging for over a century void of oxygen to rot. Some logs take on unique, subtle coloring due to mineral deposits in the mud. This set has some wonderful coloring, which we ordered with a very light stain to highlight this wood.
We topped this D-18 Custom with an Adirondack Red Spruce top, the holy grail of top woods. This is the wood of choice of the builders during the ‘golden era’ of guitar building, the early 1930’s through pre-war early 40’s. We completed the top with Adirondack Spruce forward shifted scalloped bracing, the same bracing used on many vintage models. The neck is one-piece Sinker Mahogany also with the very comfortable low profile neck shape with 1 11/16″ nut width and 2 1/8″ saddle spacing. The Sinker Mahogany neck and tail blocks complete the body construction. The wood combination creates a loud and clear, balanced tone with deep warm bass and bell like highs.
Other features include Tortoise bindings, Nickel Grover tuners with butterbean tuners, Old style select Abalone dot inlays, old style 18 rosette and more. This is the sound of an ‘old bone’ in a brand new build with the right upgrades.
Includes deluxe hardshell case and Lifetime Warranty.
Free shipping in the continental United States.
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