C. F. Martin D-18 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1957)

C. F. Martin  D-18 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar  (1957)
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Item # 9392
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C. F. Martin D-18 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1957), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 155433, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.

This is a fairly well-worn but great-sounding and playing 1957 D-18, with some scars but tons of character. This guitar has a fabulous big voice and while it shows signs of long use remains in fine playing condition. In 1957 Martin Dreadnoughts were the most sought-after flattops in the world, considered the world standard. Nearly 1100 D-18's were made in 1957, and many were gigged heavily for years.

This guitar shows typical appointments for 1957 including individual Kluson Deluxe tuners with metal buttons, large varied-dot inlay on the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, a rosewood long-saddle bridge and tortoise celluloid binding and pickguard. Martin Dreadnoughts of this era were undisputed favorites with many professional Country & Western entertainers when new, and are still known as fantastic guitars for a wide range of styles. This one shows a lot of general wear but less repair than many, making for an excellent gigger.
 
Overall length is 40 3/8 in. (102.6 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 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.).

This D-18 shows a decent amount of wear but remains structurally excellent. The top shows a moderately heavy pickwear both above and below the strings. There is some loss to the lower soundhole edge and one fairly deep spot worn into the wood just below the lower corner of the pickguard. The back and sides show dings, scrapes and some belt buckle wear into the finish but are less worn than the top. The back of the neck is relatively clean, with some shallow dents most notably behind the 9th fret area.

Amazingly the only crack on the entire guitar is a small grain split on the back treble side off the heelblock. There are no top cracks at all, not even in the usual spot at the top edge of the pickguard. The neck has been neatly reset. The fingerboard and frets are relatively clean showing comparatively little wear; this has to be an older refret which looks very much like correct Martin work. The original bridge looks to have been lowered just a hair, and has a new slightly compensated saddle installed. The guitar plays and sounds lovely, with a nice combination of power and sweetness. Very Good + Condition.