Martin D-18GE Golden Era Preowned 2009

The Martin D-18GE Golden Era is one of the most beloved and celebrated acoustic guitars in the modern Martin catalogue - a meticulous recreation of the pre-war D-18 specification that many regard as the finest acoustic guitar Martin ever produced, built with the tonewoods, bracing pattern, neck profile, and appointments of the golden era instruments that defined the sound of American roots music in the 1930s. This 2009 example, serial number 1,342,740, represents a mature production GE from a period when the model was at its most refined and consistently excellent - a guitar built to honour the 1934-37 D-18 in every meaningful detail.

The solid Adirondack red spruce top is the defining tonal choice - stiffer and more powerful than Sitka spruce, capable of enormous dynamic range and volume headroom, and the wood that made pre-war Martins the benchmark acoustic instruments they remain to this day. Forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing with Adirondack spruce braces allows the aged-toner top to vibrate with maximum freedom and project with the kind of powerful, authoritative dreadnought voice that rewards aggressive flatpicking and confident strumming equally. The solid mahogany back and sides add the warm, focused midrange depth and controlled bass that makes mahogany the natural partner for Adirondack spruce in a dreadnought context - a tonewood combination of extraordinary tonal coherence and musicality.

Modified V neck profile with 1-3/4" bone nut, ebony fingerboard with Old Style 18 inlays, 1930s belly-style ebony bridge, Waverly nickel tuners with butterbean knobs, tortoise pickguard, black Boltaron binding, aging toner top, and gloss nitrocellulose finish complete a guitar that is as historically authentic in its appearance as it is commanding in its acoustic presence.

This 2009-built guitar is a perfect interpretation of the much-loved Martin D-18, with classic Martin richness, depth and harmonic complexity and an earthy, woody and sweet voice tht is equally at home strummed nd fingerpicked. There's enormous volume on tap when it's needed, but it responds beautifully to the lightest touch. It's in great condition, with very light playwear and a nicely aged soundboard, and the action is a perfect buzz-free medium height with plenty of saddle left to adjust. Honestly, D-18's don't come much better than this! Includes original hardshell case.

Features

• Solid Adirondack red spruce top with forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing delivers the powerful, dynamically expansive pre-war dreadnought voice that made the original 1930s D-18 the most celebrated Martin ever built - enormous volume headroom, commanding projection, and a naturally open tonal character that rewards every playing style.
• Solid mahogany back and sides contribute the warm, focused midrange depth and controlled bass that makes this tonewood the natural and ideal partner for Adirondack spruce in a pre-war dreadnought specification.
• Modified V neck profile with 1-3/4" bone nut and 25.4" scale length recreates the playing feel of the original 1930s D-18 with period-correct authenticity - a comfortable, full-feeling vintage neck that suits flatpicking, strumming, and chord work equally well.
• Waverly nickel tuners with butterbean knobs, 1930s belly-style ebony bridge, tortoise pickguard, ebony fingerboard with Old Style 18 inlays, and aging toner top reflect a pre-war appointment scheme of genuine historical accuracy.
• Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish allows the Adirondack top and mahogany body to resonate freely and age beautifully - contributing to the open, naturally projecting acoustic character that distinguishes a properly finished instrument.

• Model: Martin D-18GE Golden Era
• Year: 2009
• Serial number: 1,342,740
• Body: Dreadnought, 14-fret
• Top: Solid Adirondack spruce, aging toner
• Back & sides: Solid genuine mahogany
• Bracing: Forward-shifted scalloped X-brace, Adirondack spruce, 5/16"
• Construction: Dovetail neck joint
• Binding: Black Boltaron
• Rosette: Old Style 18 (black/white fibre)
• Pickguard: Tortoiseshell
• Neck: Select hardwood, Modified V profile
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Fingerboard inlays: Old Style 18
• Scale length: 25.4"
• Nut width: 1-3/4", bone
• String spacing at saddle: 2-5/16"
• Frets: 20, neck joins at 14th
• Bridge: 1930s belly-style ebony
• Saddle: Long bone
• Tuners: Waverly nickel with butterbean knobs
• Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
• Strings: Martin Authentic Acoustic
• Includes: Hardshell case
• Made in: USA (Nazareth, Pennsylvania)