C. F. Martin D-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1956), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 151001, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, molded plastic hard shell case.
This is a great-sounding and playing 1956 D-18 which has survived more original condition than many of this vintage. When it was built in mid/late 1956 Martin Dreadnoughts were the most sought-after flattops on the market, considered the world standard. Midway through this year the price of the D-18 was raised from $140 to $155, not including the case. This seems like a pittance today, but at the time still represented a substantial investment for many players.
From its introduction in the early 1930s on, the D-18 has been a workhorse instrument for country, gospel, folk, rock & roll and most other forms of American vernacular music. Even Elvis made his earliest, most influential recordings on one. While the rosewood D-28 has often hogged the vintage glory, the D-18 is in many ways more versatile has been seen and heard on countless stages and recordings over the decades. All of 1078 D-18's were made in 1955, and many were gigged heavily for years. This one has seen some use but shows fewer signs of road life than many from this period.
This D-18 has typical appointments for 1956 including mahogany back, sides and neck, a spruce top, large varied-dot inlay on the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, a rosewood long-saddle bridge and tortoise celluloid binding and pickguard. The individual Kluson Deluxe tuners have metal buttons. Martin Dreadnoughts of this era were the undisputed favorites with many professional Country & Western entertainers when new, and are still known as fantastic guitars for a wide range of styles; really just about anything works on a great D-18! This one fully lives up to the reputation of this model and is ready for another 70 years and beyond.
Overall length is 40 3/8 in. (102.6 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 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 nearly 70 year old D-18 has seen some honest wear and typical maintenance repairs over the years, but still has all of the tonal qualities one would expect from a Martin Dreadnought from this era. The top shows less pick wear than many, with a small patch through the finish on the soundhole rim extending into the pickguard and the area just below. Overall the body is well preserved, with a handful of dings, nicks and scrapes in the original lacquer finish. There are small patches of wear through the finish along the treble side of the neck at the first, third, and fifth fret positions on the treble side, and on the bass side between the first and third frets.
There is a small grain split from the pickguard to the top of the bridge right under the high 'E' string, which has been neatly sealed. The original Celluloid pickguard is showing some minor shrinkage common for Martins of this age, but not causing any other issues to the spruce top. One back brace on the upper bout has been reglued, as well as a crack in the binding on the back near the waist; both on the bass side. There is a crack on the treble side of the back that had been previously sealed and cleated. The original bridge has been neatly replaced with a modern reproduction rosewood long-saddle bridge. The original small maple bridgeplate remains intact; it has previously had the bridge pin holes plugged and redrilled to prevent further wear.
The neck has been neatly reset with a new saddle, the fingerboard has been trued and refretted using appropriate wire with a new reproduction nut made in the traditional style, out of unbleached bone. A strap button has been added to the heel of the neck. This D-18 is now an excellent player with the powerful dry, woody sound these are known for. It is housed in a modern molded plastic Martin hardshell case. Excellent - Condition.
