1967 Martin D-18 Natural

C.F. Martin D-18 1967 | $3650 | (v2415) The Dreadnaught D-18 has been a popular and well-known workhorse guitar for many decades. They're well made, sound great and can hold their own in a small combo. This example from 1967 is essentially at the end-of-the line when it comes to features desired by most Dread players. This is the last year for the small, maple bridge plate. At this juncture, Martin chose to change from the small maple plates to the large rosewood 'chunk' of wood, reported by some to ease some warranty work on these lifetime-guaranteed guitars. This is a nice example of the iconic D-18.

The top is spruce with the typical '18-style' trim. Back and sides are mahogany. The neck is mahogany with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. The head stock is capped with Brazilian rosewood and sports the 'C.F. Martin' decal in gold foil. The bridge is Brazilian rosewood (new-old-stock replacement). The guitar retains its original Grover enclosed tuners.

The body measures 15 5/8" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25 1/2". The neck is 1 3/16" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 1/8" across at the saddle. The neck is carved in the comfortable Martin 'C'.

Prior repairs include a cloth tape support on the treble waist area where a few fine seam cracks are evident, about an inch long and very difficult to see. A strap button was added at the heel. An additional 'stick-on' pick guard was attached on the upper side of the top leaving a hint of a witness mark. (The current pick guard appears to be aftermarket). There's a small and neatly applied cleat under the pick guard but there is no crack evident. It appears that the bridge was reglued at one time, since there are some tool marks around the perimeter. There is a small seam in the grain under the screw hole of the low E string (doesn't appear to have required glue). Bridge pins appear to be old replacements. The guitar's interior is very clean and appears undisturbed.

We recently: reset the neck; removed the added pick guard; leveled and dressed the frets; replaced the cracked bridge with a Martin factory original from the 60s; action is set at 4 & 6/64".

Overall, the guitar is clean, solid and fairly original. The top and back are crack-free. There are several dings from age and use and some finish checking. Play wear is evident in the first position and a few frets in this area have slight divots.

The guitar has nice, smooth action and plays very well. The guitar is strung 11-52 and the sound is well-balanced with the classic Martin 'ring'.

Comes with a hard case.

Check out the sound clip!