C. F. Martin D-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1937), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 68147, natural finish, Mahogany back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
A great sounding '37 D-18, repaired but not abused, with the earlier advenced X Bracing and wider nut that have become the conoisseur's choice features. On everyone's list of the all time great guitars, the pre-WWII Martin D-18 Dreadnought ranks among the highest. This one was built in late 1937 with other typical-and much desired features of the era including a close-grain Adirondack spruce top, ebony bridge and fingerboard, tortoise celluloid pickguard and binding and openback Grover "butterbean" button tuners. This neck is not only wider but also somewhat chunkier in feel than Martin necks from the next decade, with a residual "soft V" profile.
This D-18 plays effortlessly with a smooth and powerful sound typical of these original "Golden Age" Martin guitars. The Martin Dreadnoughts of this era were undisputed favorites with professional Country & Western radio and stage entertainers when new, and are still known as perfect guitars for a wide range of styles. This is a fantastic recording guitar, with the mellow depth of the Dreadnought mixed with the crisp slightly dry mahogany ring. This is a great prewar example, expertly restored and ready for many more years of service.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). A great sounding, fairly early D-18 that has seen some repair but survived better than many. Three long repaired top cracks, bridge and bridgeplate expertly replaced with proper reproductions, a very light overspray over most of the guitar. Tuners are original openback Grovers. Recent neck set, plenty of saddle available so playability is excellent. Some very light top wear visible but nothing too serious, this is a really fine guitar for the player looking for that original advanced-X Martin sound at less than top dollar. Generally Very Good + Condition.
