C.F. Martin & Co D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged
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- This item is covered for 3 years
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Manufacturer Information
Martin Guitar
https://www.martinguitar.com
customerservice@martinguitar.com
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Algam SAS
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A Pre-War Icon Recreated in Every Detail
Directly inspired by Martin dreadnoughts from 1939, this D-18 Authentic "Aged" uses the brand's historic methods: animal glue bonding, dovetail neck joint, period-style purflings and pickguard. The VTS treatment stabilizes and "ages" Adirondack spruce to restore the responsiveness and tonal color of a Martin played for decades, without compromising modern reliability.For Whom and Which Styles?
Designed for intermediate to expert guitarists, this dreadnought excels in bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and vocal accompaniment. Its dynamic reserve and clarity make it equally credible in articulate fingerpicking and powerful flatpicking, both on stage and in the studio.Sound Characteristics
The Adirondack spruce top with VTS offers a quick attack, projection, and a wide headroom before clipping. Paired with mahogany back and sides (dry voice, woody mids, precise lows), it produces a direct tone that is very clear in a mix. The sculpted X-bracing (5/16") promotes bass register openness and a generous sweet spot, while the "Aged" finish and hidden glue contribute to natural sustain and harmonic richness. The ebony bridge and fingerboard, dense and stable, add definition and note sustain.Recommended Compatible Accessories
- Phosphor bronze 12-54 string set for folk guitar (light tension), perfect for the 25.4" scale.- Capo for acoustic guitars with a 16" fingerboard radius.
- Leather strap + headstock strap button (acoustic without second strap button).
- Case or soundhole humidifier to maintain 45-55% relative humidity.
- Hard case in dreadnought 14-fret format (a hard case is included).
Technical specifications
| Category | Steel String Shaped Body | Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Format | 00 | Nbrs of frets | 20 |
| Strings | Steel | Scale (mm) | 645 mm |
| Nbr of strings | 6 | Bridge | Ebony |
| Top | Solid Adirondack Spruce VTS | Nut | Bone |
| Back&Sides | Mahogany | Original Strings | SP Acoustic 92/8 Phosphor Bronze Medium (SP4200) |
| Bracing | X Authentic 1939 indented | Cover/case | Case |
| Neck | Mahogany | Color | Natural |
| Radius | 16 " | Colours | Modified Vintage Toner |
| Nut Width | 42.9 mm | Finishing | Dark mahogany |
| Bracing size | 5/16" / 7.94 mm | Body/neck joint | 14th fret |
| Body and top finish | Vintage Gloss - Aged | Scale length | 25.4" / 645 mm |
| Pickguard | faux tortoise shell | Width at 12th fret | 2 1/8" / 54.0 mm |
| Purflings | faux tortoise shell | Fingerboard radius | 16" / 406 mm |
| Back | genuine mahogany | Neck finish | Vintage Gloss - Aged |
| Sides | genuine mahogany | Heel cap | ebony |
| Back and sides | Madagascar rosewood | Saddle | bone |
| Neck profile | "Authentic 1939" | Bridge pins | black plastic, aged |
| Neck shape | Old Style 18 | Tuners | open nickel, "Aged", Butterbean butterfly style |
Questions frequently asked
What tone does it produce for bluegrass and flatpicking?
The solid Adirondack spruce VTS top promotes a quick attack and strong projection. The mahogany back and sides provide woody midranges and precise lows.
Which strings come pre-installed on this guitar?
The original set is Martin SP Acoustic 92/8 Phosphor Bronze Medium, reference SP4200. Light phosphor bronze strings sized 12-54 are also recommended for the 645 mm scale length.
Is the neck suitable for fingerpicking?
The neck width at the nut is 42.9 mm. The ebony fingerboard has a 16-inch (406 mm) radius. The width reaches 54 mm at the 12th fret.
What does the Aged finish on the D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged include?
The Vintage Gloss - Aged finish covers the body, top, and neck. The construction uses a dovetail joint with animal glue, along with binding and a faux tortoise shell pickguard.
Is a case included?
A plywood hard case is provided with the instrument.
