Details
A 1937 D-18 has been the Holy Grail mahogany Dreadnought for decades, as it was the last year before Martin began tweaking their guitars with small changes (the top bracing was changed in '38, the neck was made narrower in '39). This example has seen lots of use and has needed some crack repairs, but nothing has gotten in the way of its tonal power and with only a few moments of playing there's that "oh, now I get it" look on the faces of those unfamiliar with why 1930s Martin Dreadnoughts are considered so magical.
Gryphon recently gave this example a neck reset and refret, so it plays as easily as a new reissue. The X bracing and bridge plate are original and the pickguard is original but the tuners are Waverly reissues of the original Grover G-98 set. The center seam of the book-matched Adirondack top opened up years ago and was splinted and cleated, and cracks to the bass side were repaired. The neck heel shows a repaired crack just above the heel cap (probably from an earlier neck reset). A small flat brace was added beneath the fingerboard, along with reinforcement around the upper perimeter of the soundhole. There has been finish touch-up to the top around the pickguard, and to the repaired back cracks. As these photos indicate, there is lots of surface wear to the finish overall.
This D-18 was sold by Music Emporium a decade ago, after an inspection by TJ Thompson. Comes with an excellent Hoffee case which offers great protection but without the excessive weight of typical flight cases.
Specs
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Back sides
Mahogany
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Binding
Black Celluloid
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Bracing
Forward Shifted Scalloped X
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Bridge
Ebony
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Fingerboard
Ebony
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Finish
Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
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Frets to body
14
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Neck material
Mahogany
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Nut width
1 3/4"
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Scale length
25.4"
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Top material
Adirondack Spruce
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Total frets
20
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Tuners
Waverly
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Year
1937
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Case type
Hoffee
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Serial number
67444
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SKU
MARD18-67444
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UPC
120798
