1948 Martin D-18

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1948 Martin D-18

Serial # 106270. We've offered a number of fine D-18's over the last few months, but there's no such thing as too many! So, here is a 1948 model foryou to oogle over. The late 1940's brought about some design changes tothe Martin Dreadnaught; scalloped braces were replaced by straight braces,and Sitka Spruce replaced Adirondack Red Spruce. A few years later, Klusonenclosed tuners would replace the open-geared machines used up to that pointon Style 18 guitars. In the early post-war years, the quality of theguitars that C.F. Martin & Co was building was very much consistent withthat from a few years earlier, but the aforementioned design changes broughta different tonality to the instruments. Today, guitars from this era arerevered for their powerful voices and balanced response.

This particular instrument is in remarkable condition at nearly sixty yearsold. With the exception of a well-repaired pickguard crack there are nocracks or separations anywhere on the guitar. There is no excessive pick orbuckle wear, and the original tuners work very well. A few years back thisguitar had its neck reset and refretted in our shop, and today plays withexcellent action. I had forgotten until I looked back at my repair notesthat we had replaced the bridge as well. The one we made fooled me uponexamining the guitar this week - I thought it was an original! The ivorynut is original, as is the bridgeplate, pickguard, all finish, and theendpin. The bridge pins and bone saddle are replacements, and there is astrap button in the usual spot. The tone of this guitar is rich and warm,with a nice mahogany sparkle, and a very open bass. It is a woody guitarand will give you all the vintage overtones that you'd expect to find in a60 year old guitar.
1948 Martin D-18
  • 1948 Martin D-18
  • 1948 Martin D-18
  • 1948 Martin D-18
  • 1948 Martin D-18
  • 1948 Martin D-18
  • 1948 Martin D-18

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