C.F. Martin & Co D-18 Authentic 1937

A 1937 D-18 Revisited by the Authentic Series

1937 is a landmark year in Martin's history, often associated with a rare balance of innovation, material choice, and artisanal precision. The D-18 Authentic 1937 embodies this pursuit of authenticity: historically accurate details, "Style 18" aesthetics, and a manufacturing approach designed to closely replicate a vintage instrument while maintaining the reliability of modern production.

For Which Guitarist and Styles?

This folk dreadnought is aimed at the intermediate to expert player seeking a characterful, highly responsive, and inspiring guitar, ideal for bluegrass, folk, country, americana, and flatpicking accompaniment. Its dynamics and power reserve also make it an excellent foundation for fingerstyle playing, especially for those who appreciate guitars with a clear response and strong projection.

Sound

The combination of Adirondack spruce (top) and genuine mahogany (back/sides) delivers a sound that is both direct, lively, and articulate: crisp attacks, singing mids, and excellent note clarity. The forward-shifted X-bracing and scalloped braces promote openness, projection, and a "living" sensation under the fingers. The VTS treatment applied to the top and bracing aims for a more "mature" response, with grain and presence reminiscent of 1930s instruments, while retaining the precision of a modern guitar.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To preserve the luthiery, a guitar humidifier and a guitar stand are perfectly suited for this type of instrument. For daily playing, a chromatic tuner and a selection of picks will allow full exploration of this dreadnought's dynamics and projection. A hard case is included.

Technical specifications

Category	Steel String Shaped Body	Fingerboard	Ebony
Format	Dreadnought	Nbrs of frets	20
Left handed	No	Headstock	Madagascar rosewood
Cutaway	No	Neck Type	Glued
Strings	Steel	Electroacoustic	No
Nbr of strings	6	Color	Natural
Back&Sides	Mahogany	Finishing	Glossy
Neck	Mahogany	Hardware	Nickel

Body Size	Authentic D-14 Fret	Side Inlay Material	None
Top Material	Adirondack spruce with VTS	Heelcap	Ebony
Top Color	Light	Neck Material	Genuine mahogany
Back Material	Genuine mahogany	Neck Shape	Authentic 1937
Side Material	Genuine mahogany	Taper	Standard taper
Back and Side Color	Dark mahogany	Neck Finish	Vintage Gloss
Side Width	12.7 cm / 127 mm / 5"	Neck Color	Dark mahogany
Bracing Pattern	Forward-shifted X-bracing	Fingerboard Material	Ebony
Bracing Material	Adirondack spruce with VTS	Nut Width	4.4 cm / 44 mm / 1.73"
Brace Shape	Scalloped	Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret	5.7 cm / 57 mm / 2.24"
Binding	Brown tortoise pattern	Total Frets	20
Purfling and Backstrip	Madagascar rosewood	Neck Join	14th fret
Back Detail	None	Fingerboard Inlay Style	Vintage Style 18
Side Details	None	Fingerboard Inlay Material	Abalone
Back Inlay Material	None	Side Dots	Grained ivoroid
Endpiece	Brown tortoise pattern	Fingerboard Attachment Material	None
Endpiece Inlay	None	Scale Length	63.5 cm / 635 mm / 25"