C. F. Martin D-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1939), made in Nazareth, PA, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back sides and neck, spruce top, ebony fingerboard and bridge, black tolex hard shell case.
On everyone's list of the all time great guitars, the pre-WWII Martin D-18 Dreadnought ranks among the highest. This is an early 1939 example in nicely original condition, with some notable play wear but a wonderful instrument. This guitar has the typical-and much desired- 1939 features including a close-grain Adirondack spruce top, ebony bridge and fingerboard, tortoise celluloid pickguard and binding and openback Grover "butterbean" tuners. This neck is wider and somewhat chunkier in feel than Martin necks from the next decade, with a residual "soft V" profile.
This D-18 plays effortlessly with a tremendously smooth and powerful sound typical of these "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 unmodified prewar example, now becoming increasingly hard to find.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 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 11/16 in. (43 mm.). This guitar has a good deal of general play wear but no major damage or repair, a very good playing example that has seen a lot of use but been wall cared for. There are areas of pick wear to the top above the soundhole, by the treble side of the fingerboard and around the pickguard. An arm wear spot is visible on the top on the lower bass bout; none of these are deep into the wood. Overall the top is in very solid condition; there are no top cracks or repairs except for one very small pulled area of spruce next to the bridge, likely caused when the bridge was remounted. There is an area of belt buckle wear to the back, and considerable finish wear to the back of the neck. The neck set is excellent with plenty of saddle and a comfortable action of 3/32" treble and 4/32" bass. The frets are in excellent condition with plenty of life, the guitar has had an excellent professional refret not too long ago. This is a fine playing and wonderful sounding example of one of the world's most sought after guitars. Generally Excellent Condition.
