Up for sale, a 1945 Martin D-18 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. This D-18, crafted near the end of World War II, is a transitional example, outfitted with an Adirondack spruce soundboard (a feature that would be phased out within a year of this guitar’s production) and straight, non-scalloped X bracing, introduced in late ‘44. An instrument that’s been with the same family since the 1950s, this Martin benefits from all the maintenance due an acoustic of this vintage, including a professional neck reset, refret, replacement carved bone nut and drop-in saddle.

The classic tonewood complement includes a solid Adirondack spruce top, mahogany back, sides, and neck, an ebony fingerboard, and the original small maple bridge plate. Just as lively as one would expect from a well-seasoned Adirondack top, this D-18 is an absolute cannon, with tons of natural projection and resonance, particularly when hit hard with a flatpick. The trebles are crisp and punchy, standing up well to the rumbling power and potency of the low end, which is broad and rich while still retaining remarkably clarity and string-to-string definition. This D-18 is lightweight at 3lbs 10oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings and easy-playing action.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Soft V, measuring .865” 1st fret, 1.065” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, dot inlays
-Frets: Slender (refret), no wear
-Scale Length: 25.4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone (modern)
-Tuners: “Wartime” Kluson, open-gear
-Serialization: Stamp on neck block dates to 1945

Body Specs:

-Wood: Adirondack spruce, mahogany
-Bracing: X, straight non-scalloped
-Bridge: Brazilian rosewood, modern bone drop-in saddle
-Plastics: Tortoise pickguard
-Marquetry: Simple rosette, purfling

The Adirondack spruce soundboard is crack-free, and there’s only a single small repaired split on the rim at the treble-side waist. The nitro lacquer finish is original, with only light touch-up adjacent to the neck heel from the neck reset. Cosmetic wear includes some pick wear across the soundhole, shallow buckle rash on the back and treble-side rim, and limited finish loss along the back binding. There is also localized wear on the mahogany rims near the endpin and some minor dings and finish scratches from 80 years of careful use. The neck profile is smooth and inviting, with limited palm wear in the first position and a few marks along the profile length.

A modern black tolex hardshell case is included.