Up for sale, a 2013 Martin D-18E Retro in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and hangtags. Offered from 2012-19, this Retro Series Martin is a D-18 outfitted with Fishman F1 Aura+ electronics, designed for maximum versatility and on-stage functionality.
Tonewoods include an X-braced solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard, and this D-18E Retro weighs 4lbs 9oz. Tonally, this guitar is bold and crisp, with plenty of projection on tap and great string-to-string balance. The trebles are smooth and punchy, leaping straight off the fingerboard, and the lows are warm and robust, with a smooth growl when strummed with authority.
The Fishman F1 Aura+ electronics are available exclusively on Martin guitars, and the Aura Imaging preserves the pure and unique acoustic tone of each instrument with studio microphone quality. The Aura technology features a bridge plate-mounted transducer that adds dimension, resonance and body to your guitar's tone, and there are also a bevy of tonal sculpting options available at the low profile Volume and Blend/Tone wheels which can be accessed by pressing the knobs on the upper bout rim. The Tone knob can function as a pickup/transducer blend, as well as a mid scoop, and the Volume knob has a Phase control and is also used to access the built-in tuner, which has a small LCD screen adjacent to the controls. This D-18E Retro has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 strings and easy-playing action.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Modified Low Oval, High Performance Taper, measuring .815” 1st fret, .895” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, abalone dot inlays
-Frets: Medium, virtually no wear
-Scale Length: 25.4”
-Nut: 1 3/4”, bone
-Tuners: Grover open-gear, butterbean buttons
-Serialization: Stamp on neck heel dates to 2013
Body Specs:
-Wood: Sitka spruce, mahogany
-Bracing: X
-Bridge: Ebony, compensated saddle
-Electronics: Fishman F1 Aura+
-Controls: Volume/Phase, Blend/Tone, Tuner
-Marquetry: Tortoise binding, multi-ply purfling and rosette, tortoise pickguard
The gloss lacquer finish exhibits light buckle worming along the treble-side rim and central to the back, and a few minor marks on the body as a whole. The neck profile retains its smooth satin finish.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included, along with the hangtags and Fishman user guide.