C. F. Martin D-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1957), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 158647, natural laquer re- finish, Mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, Brazillian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, black hard shell case.
This original 1957 D-18 was re-finished and re-fretted by Martin in 1996 (according to a previous owner). Otherwise it retains all the original components, including Kluson Deluxe tuners and long-saddle rosewood bridge. While a little shinier than a '57 would normally be expected to be, this guitar has emerged from its rendezvous with destiny in the spray booths of Nazareth in fine playing condition with its big, airy sound intact.
In 1957 Martin Dreadnoughts were the most sought-after of all professional quality flattops, considered the world standard. From its introduction in the early 1930s on, the D-18 has been a workhorse for country, gospel, folk, rock & roll and most other forms of American vernacular music. Even Elvis made his earliest, most influential recordings on one. Nearly 1100 D-18's were made in 1957, and many were gigged heavily for years.
This guitar shows typical features for 1957. The back and sides are nicely grained mahogany with a spruce top carrying the rosewood long-saddle bridge and tortoise celluloid binding and pickguard. The mahogany neck has large varied-dot inlay on the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, the rosewood faced headstock is equipped with individual Kluson Deluxe tuners with metal buttons.
Martin Dreadnoughts of this era were undisputed favorites with many professional Country & Western entertainers when new, and are still fantastic guitars for a wide range of styles. While the top of the line Rosewood D-28 has often hogged the vintage glory, many pickers over the decades have preferred the crisper sound of the mahogany D-18 particularly for recording purposes; in many ways it is the more versatile guitar. If no longer fully original this one remains great playing and sounding vintage Martin Dreadnought at a more affordable price than an all-original example in similar condition would command.
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 15 5/8 in. (39.7 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 in. (25 mm.).
This D-18 shows very little wear since it was re-worked but careful examination shows some older wear and repair beneath the re-done finish but remains an excellent player. The newer lacquer finish has some checking (mostly on the back) with some shallow dings, chips and dents largely confined to the lower side. The back of the neck has a few shallow dings and dents. The neck feels very slim and we believe it was likely reshaped a bit before or when the guitar was refinished.
There are some old crack repairs that are now under the finish including to an old grain split to the top in the almost inevitable spot along the top edge of the pickguard, neatly sealed and cleated. There are several older cracks in the back and sides that were sealed before the refinish was performed; all these older repairs are solid and inconspicuous.
The neck has been neatly reset and the fingerboard has been trued and refretted with wire slightly taller than the original. The nut appears original. The original bridge looks to have been lowered somewhat and likely reglued; a newer bone saddle was installed. All original bracing and the original maple bridgeplate still intact, showing some light wear around the pin holes. The original Kluson Deluxe tuners are intact with some plating wear. The guitar plays and sounds lovely, with a nice combination of power and sweetness. It does not look "too new" even with the later finish but still has a nice amber-y vintage glow. It resides in a recent HSC Very Good Condition.
