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: take it home, commit only when it's right. 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.