Martin D-18 – Vintage Mahogany Dreadnought with Exceptional Tone 1949

No sales tax for customers outside California.

This 1949 Martin D-18 is a remarkable example of post-war Martin craftsmanship, offering the dry, woody tone and dynamic responsiveness that have made vintage D-18s legendary. It is one of only 450 made by Martin in 1949.

Nothing in the market seems as busy as vintage Martin guitars.  I don't expect this one to last very long!

Featuring a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this dreadnought delivers strong projection, balanced mids, and clear articulation ideal for flatpicking, fingerstyle, or vocal accompaniment.

This guitar is big and lively - just what you want from a vintage Martin D-18!  It was played regularly by the previous owner, so it is awake and brilliant sounding, not a closet queen that'll need to be opened up with hours of playing.

The original bridge and bridge plate are in place, the heart of the legendary tone of Martins from this era. 

The neck has been reset, and the frets replaced.  This work was expertly performed well before we acquired the guitar.  The frets show very light, even wear.  The neck set is perfect.  A compensated saddle was installed at the time of the reset, and whomever did this work did a fantastic job, cutting a part that intonates the guitar better than most you'll play. 

The bridge and fretboard are Brazilian rosewood.  The tortoise-style pickguard is original.  There is one area where it appears that loose binding was worked on, on the back.  A strap button was added to the neck heel.  The tuners are original and no other tuners have been installed.  There is an area of finish on the front of the headstock, between the nut and the low E tuner, that has been altered slightly - it looks like some solvent or something got on the finish there.

There is one small side crack on the lower bout, near the endpin, glued long ago.  The line on the top is just surface wear - not a crack.  There are no other cracks or repairs.

Lightly restored with care, this rare vintage Martin is ready for both collectors and serious players seeking heirloom-level sound.

The case is a modern Epiphone hardshell.

• Color: Natural
• Weight: 3lbs 15oz
• Top: Sitka Spruce
• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
  
• Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot
• Frets: Original
• Fret count: 20
• Nut: Original
• Nut width: 1-11/16"
• Scale: 25.4"
• Radius: 16"
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .87"
• Neck thickness at 10th Fret: .96"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
  
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
  
• Total length: 40-1/2"
  
• Body length: 20"
  
• Lower bout: 15-3/4"
  
• Waist: 10-3/4"
  
• Upper bout: 11-5/8"
  
• Body depth/thickness: 4-3/4"
  
• String gauge: .012-.056
• Pickguard: Original
• Bridge: Original
• Tuners: Original
• Case: Non Original HSC
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

There are two shipping cost options for purchases made on our site for these states and those to the east of them: Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas.  Select Standard shipping at checkout and your item will be shipped via UPS three-day-air.  Select Economy shipping and your item will ship via UPS ground.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for these Eastern states and shipment will be made by UPS three-day-air.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.