1946 Martin D-18

ARCHIVED • SOLD

1946 Martin D-18

Serial # 95973. Who out there doesn't really want a completely original Martin Dreadnaught with a 5 digit serial number that's in nearly perfect condition? Thought so. This one is a mid-1946 model, and exhibits a collection of features very particular to the transitional year in which it was completed. By the War's end, Martin had abandoned scalloped braces and Adirondack spruce in favor of the west-coast Sitka and straight top bracing you'll find on this D-18. With the War Effort over, the metals used for the tuning machines and neck reinforcement rods became plentiful once more, but the transition away from the ebony neck rod didn't happen all of a sudden; and this instrument's neck is fitted with ebony rather than steel. After using the weaker ebony reinforcement for a few years, the shop foremen were undoubtedly familiar with the flexibility of these ebony-rod necks, and (perhaps taking a clue from Gibson) carved necks with a fatter, deeper profile than what was then the norm. This resulted in an extremely light-weight and responsive guitar that has a neck that any vintage guitar nut would die for. Style 18 flirted with Brazilian rosewood fingerboards and bridges from the mid 1930's until 1947, when the last D-18's came off the line with these parts made of Ebony; and this D-18 is an ebony fingerboard and bridge model. Finally, for a period of one year, Martin used pearl fingerboard dots that were undifferentiated in size at the 5th, 7th, and 9th frets; something you might not have otherwise noticed in the photos of this instrument. By late 1947, the 6-digit serial numbered D-18 would appear very similar to one built in the early 1960's; but significantly different than this 1946 model.
The guitar is in near-flawless original condition. There are no cracks, no lose or repaired braces, no changed parts, and it has never had a neck reset. We lowered the guitar's action slightly, but did so by installing a replacement fossil ivory saddle rather than altering the guitar's original. While this instrument is not in mint condition, it shows only minor finish scratching on the back and sides, spots of capo-rash behind the second and third frets, and worn finish along the neck's edge in the first position. The action is set at 5 to 7 64ths, with enough saddle to lower it a bit more, and a full-thickness original bridge. Needless to say, it's a very good sounding guitar; it has ample headroom, dry and open basses and mids, and sparkly but strong Mahogany trebles. You might say that we think pretty highly of this guitar.
With its original hardshell case
SOLD
1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18
  • 1946 Martin D-18

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