C. F. Martin D-18 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1967)
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Item # 10989
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C. F. Martin D-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1967), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 230089, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck; spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This serial number in this fine-sounding D-18 is one of the VERY last stamped in 1967 (the last was 230095), a time when Martin's Dreadnought flat tops were steadily increasing in popularity. This trend that would peak in the early 70's, with the singer-songwriter boom. Earlier in the 1960s the mahogany D-18 and its pricier rosewood sister the D-28 were practically the emblems of the Folk revival, thanks in large part to the Kingston Trio. As the decade went on the Martin Dreadnought became- and remained ever since- the acoustic guitar of choice for serious pickers of just about every persuasion.
This D-18 has transitional appointments specific to 1967-8; The pickguard and outer body binding are black plastic, replacing the earlier tortoise celluloid. The rosewood bridge has the short saddle recently introduced but rests over the traditional small maple bridgeplate, replaced later in 1968 with a much larger rosewood piece. The original tuners are "Patent Pending" Grover Rotomatics, a recent fitting on this model at the time. The headstock's "rounded" corners are characteristic of this period, the result of Martin's shaping templates having become worn from extensive use.
Martin records indicate 2602 D-18s were shipped in 1967; the best year for the model to date. This one was certainly shipped out in 1968, when 1689 were sold. At $295 (plus case) in early 1968 this guitar represented a serious professional level investment, but it was the ambition of a vast number of aspiring flat-top players to own one. From its introduction in the early 1930s on, the D-18 has been a workhorse for country, gospel, folk, and other forms of American vernacular music and in the '60's this sonic palette only expanded. This lightly worn-in D-18 is an excellent player and sings with a powerful, bright and clear sound, and is an excellent instrument for just about any flat-top application.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
There has been some wear and a few typical repairs to this D-18 over the years, but overall it has preserved much of its originality over the 55+ years since 1967. Overall the original lacquer finish has remained in very good shape, with some general wear including dings, dents and scrapes. There are some spots along the treble side of the neck worn through to the wood, and one noticeable small but deep dink behind the third fret. The top has some random pick scrapes and minor chipping around the base of the bridge.
The only crack repair on this Martin is on the side of the lower bout on the treble side, which has been properly glued and cleated but not overfinished. The neck has been reset; the original frets and fingerboard show noticeable divots from the first to third fret mostly along the B string, but not affecting playability. The original pickguard is with a modern black repro, the "potato chip" curled original is still in the case pocket. The bridge and bridgeplate have both been replaced with correct modern replicas. The original "Patent Pending" Grover Rotomatics have remained intact, and fully functional. Internally, all of the original braces remain intact. This nicely aged D-18 has a great range of tone, and projects vey well without undue effort. The Martin is housed in its original yellow-lined hardshell case. Excellent - Condition.
This serial number in this fine-sounding D-18 is one of the VERY last stamped in 1967 (the last was 230095), a time when Martin's Dreadnought flat tops were steadily increasing in popularity. This trend that would peak in the early 70's, with the singer-songwriter boom. Earlier in the 1960s the mahogany D-18 and its pricier rosewood sister the D-28 were practically the emblems of the Folk revival, thanks in large part to the Kingston Trio. As the decade went on the Martin Dreadnought became- and remained ever since- the acoustic guitar of choice for serious pickers of just about every persuasion.
This D-18 has transitional appointments specific to 1967-8; The pickguard and outer body binding are black plastic, replacing the earlier tortoise celluloid. The rosewood bridge has the short saddle recently introduced but rests over the traditional small maple bridgeplate, replaced later in 1968 with a much larger rosewood piece. The original tuners are "Patent Pending" Grover Rotomatics, a recent fitting on this model at the time. The headstock's "rounded" corners are characteristic of this period, the result of Martin's shaping templates having become worn from extensive use.
Martin records indicate 2602 D-18s were shipped in 1967; the best year for the model to date. This one was certainly shipped out in 1968, when 1689 were sold. At $295 (plus case) in early 1968 this guitar represented a serious professional level investment, but it was the ambition of a vast number of aspiring flat-top players to own one. From its introduction in the early 1930s on, the D-18 has been a workhorse for country, gospel, folk, and other forms of American vernacular music and in the '60's this sonic palette only expanded. This lightly worn-in D-18 is an excellent player and sings with a powerful, bright and clear sound, and is an excellent instrument for just about any flat-top application.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
There has been some wear and a few typical repairs to this D-18 over the years, but overall it has preserved much of its originality over the 55+ years since 1967. Overall the original lacquer finish has remained in very good shape, with some general wear including dings, dents and scrapes. There are some spots along the treble side of the neck worn through to the wood, and one noticeable small but deep dink behind the third fret. The top has some random pick scrapes and minor chipping around the base of the bridge.
The only crack repair on this Martin is on the side of the lower bout on the treble side, which has been properly glued and cleated but not overfinished. The neck has been reset; the original frets and fingerboard show noticeable divots from the first to third fret mostly along the B string, but not affecting playability. The original pickguard is with a modern black repro, the "potato chip" curled original is still in the case pocket. The bridge and bridgeplate have both been replaced with correct modern replicas. The original "Patent Pending" Grover Rotomatics have remained intact, and fully functional. Internally, all of the original braces remain intact. This nicely aged D-18 has a great range of tone, and projects vey well without undue effort. The Martin is housed in its original yellow-lined hardshell case. Excellent - Condition.