1943 Martin D-18

$27,350.00

This is a venerable 1943 Martin D-18 that fills the room with great sound.

 

 

 

Description

Exc- condition  •  SN# 84659
1-11/16″ width at nut  •  2-5/64″ pin spacing
Peghead crack repaired

This 1943 Martin D-18 is a great guitar known to many players in our region. It has been owned and used by many of the best players in Montana, Idaho & Seattle areas for 30 years. I could spend all my time here trying to convey to how great the sound is, but we should give you more specifics about this old D-18.

Cuban Mahogany back, sides and neck. Gorgeous grain Adirondack Red Spruce top. Brazilian Rosewood peghead overlay. Original open back pre-war style tuners with matching cream buttons. Martin & Co. decal at top of peghead. Professional bone nut. Ebony fingerboard with graduated dot inlays. Ebony heel cap. Frets are in very good condition with fret wear only under the B string. Original tortoise pickguard. Bridge may be excellent professional copy. Cut-thru bone saddle. Ebony bridge pins with pearl dots. White plastic end pin. Tortoise end wedge.

The body is bound with tortoise celluloid, with top binding having 4 plies of purfling on inside edge. Back binding is single ply of tortoise. Neck profile is rounded “Vee”.

This guitar has had some large wear areas with shellac hand rubbed in to protect bare wood. There has been very little airbrushed lacquer with color applied at both back waists. The top is in amazing condition, completely flat with no bellying below the bridge. Lots of player wear, with 2 slight cracks repaired at treble side of widest part of lower bout. Sides are in very nice condition with a small, old repair on bass side of lower bout, and jack hole repaired on treble side of lower bout. Slight crack repair near waist on treble side.

The back is beautiful ropey grain. I can find 3 old crack repairs, with only 1 easy to find with your eye. Back of peghead shows wear from leaning against walls, etc. Back of neck shows hand wear thru finish in first position. Strap button professionally installed in correct position in neck heel.
The back of peghead shows a slant crack was repaired about 10 years ago.

This guitar has abrupt attack with nice balance. All the normal superlative descriptions can be applied to this guitar’s tone: “It’s a Hoss”, “What a Boomer”, “Wow, a Cannon”. Its huge and smooth if you play it that way… But if you lean into it and snap your pick release just a bit, the percussion is readily felt by all.

Comes with a good Hard Case and good playability.