Up for sale, a 1968 Martin D-18 dreadnought in near-mint condition, complete with a hardshell case. This Martin has received all the maintenance due an acoustic of this vintage including a new compensated saddle and a professional neck reset. Tonewoods include a solid X-braced spruce top and mahogany back and sides, with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and the original small maple bridge plate, offering a traditional Martin dreadnought tonal profile.
Delivering a detailed and smooth sound with plenty of natural projection, this D-18 has a distinctive mellowness when strummed lightly. The bass register has both warmth and breadth, and low frequencies stay focused with a growl when digging in with authority with a flatpick. Trebles are sparkling and punchy, and the midrange is balanced and complex. This Martin weighs 4lbs 2oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 12-53 strings, easy-playing action and optimal intonation.
The mahogany neck has a substantial soft V-shaped profile carve, offering even more heft in the higher registers, with rolled fretboard edges for added comfort, measuring .865" deep at the 1st fret and .990" at the 9th. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard shows virtually no wear on the original medium fretwire, and the guitar plays cleanly up the 25.4" scale length. The nut measures 1 11/16" in width, and the headstock features a Brazilian rosewood veneer, with a near-mint Martin logo and original set of Pat. Pending Grover Rotomatic tuners that turn smoothly with gleaming chrome plating.
The Brazilian rosewood bridge sits flush with the top on all edges, fitted with a tall compensated saddle and retaining the original small maple bridge plate. The saddle height and recent neck reset ensure optimal playability for decades to come. The original black pickguard is intact and has been reseated so that there's no undue tension on the spruce. The extremely common and small "B string crack" between the pickguard edge and bridge has also been professionally repaired.
The original gloss nitro lacquer finish is stunningly clean, and cosmetic wear is limited to a few very light pick marks extending beyond the guard and on the bass-side of the soundhole, and just a few tiny nicks and faint finish scratches on the body as a whole.
A modern black tolex Martin-branded TKL hardshell case is included.