1971 Martin D-18

Very good condition featuring dreadnought body shape, Sitka spruce top with decorative soundhole rosette, mahogany back and sides, East Indian rosewood bridge, black pickguard, multiple bindings on the top body edges, black binding on the back body edge, mahogany neck, East Indian rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays starting at the fifth fret, 1 11/16" nut width, East Indian rosewood peghead overlay with gold CF Martin & Co logo, Grover Rotomatic tuning machines, and tweed covered hard shell case with a makeshift rubber handle that works well. 

This 1971 Martin D-18 is in very good cosmetic condition and is set up in great playing order. The guitar has a low saddle and the action is very comfortable. Glaser Instruments in Nashville, Tennessee, has just completed a professional set up, replaced the first three frets, pleked all the frets, and reglued and repaired small pickguard cracks. There is significant pick wear beside the pickguard and a hole remains on the heel of the neck from the removal of a strap button which could easily be reinstalled. The bridge has been cut down from the top (see photos) and shows an extremely slight amount of lifting (barely enough space for a piece of paper to slide under 1/16") which does not require a reglue at this time. Although the pickguard cracks have been repaired and the pickguard has been reglued, there is still a slight waviness to the guard which doesn't affect the sound or playability. The guitar is overall in very clean vintage condition.

This dreadnought is a fantastic player which has a very balanced, non-boomy sound. It is fantastic guitar for both songwriting and recording. The neck profile is full and comfortable with a slight taper from the 7th to the 12th fret and is very easy to play. The guitar shows some lacquer checking which is common and there is typical play wear beyond the pick wear on the top including a few scratches and dings but nothing that's a dealbreaker. This well loved and maintained D-18 is ready for a good new home. We suspect its new owner will love it just as much. If you want great vintage Martin tone without breaking the bank, this is a guitar well worth considering.