C. F. Martin D-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1970), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 259391, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original molded blue plastic hard shell case.
This D-18 dates to the dawn of the 1970s, when Martin Dreadnoughts ruled the roost as the most sought-after acoustic guitars in the world. It has been played over the decades and shows a decent amount of wear but remains an excellent player. There are no alterations except the pickguard is a correct-style replacement; most of the original black acetate 'guards have curled into potato chip-like shapes by now. It sounds and plays as it should and is ready to gig for the next 50+ years.
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 Martin has seen a decent amount of wear and tear but no major repairs or alterations over the last 50+ years. The original lacquer finish shows general wear overall but less pick damage to the top than many, really only one spot that goes well into the wood along the bottom rim of the soundhole. There are dings, dents and scrapes overall and several spots of what look like contact wear from a vinyl strap, both on the back and the top above the endpin.
There is some heavier body contact wear on the armwear spot on the upper side, and the back/side edge in the upper waist has a heavy spot of wear and a fairly sloppy old binding reglue. The back of the neck has some wear to the wood in the first position and small dinks and scratches but nothing too serious.
Structurally the guitar crack-free and internally intact and unaltered. It has had the neck reset and the original bridge looks like it was lowered slightly in front of the pins long ago. As noted the black pickguard is a repro as is usual for this period, but the bridgepins and endpins appear period. A strap button was added at the heel. The original frets and fingerboard show some wear bit still play well, this is a good gigging example sounding nicely aged in residing in the original blue plastic Martin case. Overall Very Good + Condition.
