Sound Pure's Take

Condition: Used, Excellent

The end-all, be-all flatpicker's guitar. There's not much else to say about the Martin D-18 that hasn't already been said, but this specific custom-shop example deserves to add its two cents. While maintaining the classic 18-style workhorse look, this guitar is still visually striking. Check out the wide, even grain and blonde hue of the Adirondack spruce top; contrast that with the ruddy swirl of the sinker mahogany back and sides. The aged, sunken wood imparts an open, well-balanced sound, featuring warm bass, vocal mids and positively crystalline top end. And while it's a supreme strummer, the Addy top confidently projects fingerstyle play with pristine clarity and subtly sweet overtones.

SP Luthier Notes: Setup

Model
D-18
Serial
2305133
Year
2019
Body Size
D-14 Fret
Construction
Dovetail Neck Joint
Bracing Pattern
Standard
Brace Shape
Scalloped
Top Material
Adirondack Spruce
Back Material
Sinker Mahogany
Side Material
Sinker Mahogany
Finish Top
Gloss
Back & Side Finish
Gloss
Scale Length
25.4"
Fingerboard Width at Nut
1 3/4"
Neck Shape
Modified Low Oval
Neck Taper
PA Taper
Electronics
None
Top Color
Aging Toner
Binding
Tortoise
Top Inlay Material
Multi-Stripe
Top Detail
None
Pickguard
Tortoise
Pickguard Inlay
None
Rosette
Old Style 18
Bridge Style
Modern Belly w/Drop In Saddle
Bridge String Spacing
2 5/32"
Bridge Material
Ebony
Bridge Pin Material
Black
Bridge Pin Dots
None
Saddle
Compensated Bone
Saddle Radius
16"
Brace Material
Adirondack Spruce
Brace Size
5/16"
Back Purfling/Strip
Style 18
Heelcap
Tortoise
Endpiece
Tortoise
Endpiece Inlay
None
Back & Sides Color
Dark Mahogany Stain
Back Detail
None
Back Inlay Material
None
Side Detail
None
Side Inlay Material
None
Neck Material
Genuine Mahogany - 12/4
Finish Neck
Catalyzed 15 Sheen
Neck Color
Dark Mahogany Stain
Number of Frets
20
Neck Joins Body at
14th Fret
Side Dots
White
Fingerboard Material
Ebony
Fingerboard width at 12th Fret
2 1/8"
Fingerboard Inlay Style
Old Style 18
Fingerboard Inlay Material
Abalone
Fingerboard Binding Material
None
Headstock Shape
Solid /6 String / No Diamond / Square Taper
Headplate Material
Solid East Indian Rosewood
Headplate Logo Style
Large Old Style
Headplate Binding Material
None
Tuning Machines
Gotoh Nickel
Knob
Butterbean
Nut Material
Bone
Case
Hardshell

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.