Sound Pure's Take

Condition: Used, Excellent

SP Luthier Notes: Block Frets, Setup

From Martin and Co.

Here to remind you why you fell in love with us in the first place, the new Authentics are constructed the old way - with hide glue, throughout, and historically-accurate detailing confirmed by using a CAT scan machine located at the Smithsonian Institute. Based on a 1939 D-18 in our museum, this guitar features genuine mahogany back and sides, an Adirondack spruce top, using an authentic circa 1939 bracing pattern. Period-correct "18" Authentic-style appointments, with an Authentic neck barrel and heel, complete this piece. Martin’s new VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® (VTS) is employed for the top and braces. The new Martin VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM® uses a unique recipe that is based on the historic torrefaction system. The VTS acts much like a time machine in which Martin can target certain time periods and age the top/braces to that era. This focused method allows Martin’s craftsmen and women to recreate not only the pleasing visual aesthetics of a vintage guitar, but also reproduce the special tones previously reserved for vintage instruments.

Overview

Body Size: D-14 Fret

Finish Top: Vintage Gloss

Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint - Hide Glue Construction

Back and Side Finish: Vintage Gloss

Bracing Pattern: Authentic 1939 Rearward-Shifted X-Brace

Scale Length: 25.4"

Brace Shape: Scalloped

Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 11/16''

Top Material: Adirondack Spruce with VTS

Neck Shape: Authentic 1939

Back Material: Genuine Mahogany

Neck Taper: Standard Taper

Side Material: Genuine Mahogany

Electronics: No

Top

Top Color: Clear

Bridge Style: Authentic Belly - Glue in Long Saddle

Binding: Faux Tortoise

Bridge String Spacing: 2 1/8''

Top Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe

Bridge Material: Ebony

Top Detail: None

Bridge Pin Material: None

Pickguard: Tortoise Pattern

Bridge Pin Dots: None

Pickguard Inlay: None

Saddle: Bone

Rosette: Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe

Saddle Radius: 16"

Body

Brace Material: Adirondack Spruce with VTS

Back and Sides Color: Dark Mahogany

Brace Size: 5/16"

Back Detail: None

Back Purfling/Strip: Madagascar Rosewood

Back Inlay Material: None

Heelcap: Ebony

Side Detail: None

Endpiece: Faux Tortoise

Side Inlay Material: None

Endpiece Inlay: None

Neck

Neck Material: Genuine Mahogany

Fingerboard Material: Ebony

Finish Neck: Vintage Gloss

Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8''

Neck Color: Dark Mahogany

Fingerboard Inlay Style: Old Style 18

Number of Frets Total: 20

Fingerboard Inlay Material: Abalone

Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret

Fingerboard Binding Material: None

Side Dots: Grained Ivoroid

Headstock

Headstock Shape: Solid with 1939 Taper

Tuning Machines: Nickel Open Gear

Headplate Material: Madagascar Rosewood

Knob: Butterbean

Headplate Logo Style: Script Golden Era Overlay

Nut Material: Bone

Headplate Binding Material: None

Headplate Detail: None

Misc

Case: Ply Hardshell

Left-handed Availability: true

Label: None

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

Try Before You Buy: 48-hour audition. Program details →

Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

Come hear it in our control rooms.

Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.