Details
Martin's revival of their pre-WWII D-18 models was still several years away when this D-18 Special was offered as a Ltd Edition at the 1989 NAMM show. Although Martin didn't crow about its vintage-style internals, they gave it the same bracing formula that would prove so popular on those later reissues: scalloped "advanced" X-bracing (sometimes called high X) and a small maple bridge plate. Needless to say, compared to the Standard Series D-18 models of the '80s, this D-18 Special delivered a far more lively response, and you didn't have to pound the strings to get it. Another plus is the rosewood binding instead of plastic, lighter stain on the mahogany, and you also got nice "diamonds & squares" neck inlays and a paper label signed by CF Martin IV.
But of the four Ltd. Edition models Martin introduced that year, this D-18 Special was ahead of its time and didn't sell, so Martin made less than 30, almost half of those sold to dealers overseas. How times have changed!
Specs
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Back sides
Mahogany
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Binding
Rosewood
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Bracing
Scalloped X Pattern
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Bridge
Rosewood
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Fingerboard
Rosewood
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Finish
lacquer
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Frets to body
14
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Inlay
Diamonds and Squares
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Neck material
Mahogany
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Nut width
1 11/16"
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Rosette
Style 18
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Scale length
25.4"
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Top material
Sitka Spruce
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Total frets
20
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Tuners
Grover Rotomatics
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Year
1989
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Case type
Original Hardshell
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Serial number
487345
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SKU
MARD18SPEC-487345
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UPC
141637
