Description
Lovies Guitars is excited to offer up this 2022 Martin D-18 Standard Series Natural Acoustic Dreadnaught Guitar! Precious few acoustic guitar models can match the legacy, influence, and genre-defying sound of the mighty Martin D-18. First released in 1931, the D-18 has seen countless spec and design modifications over its nearly century-long life to best fit the needs of music’s ever-changing currents. Martin’s refreshed Standard series turns back the clock to the D-18’s most cherished vintage era, returning several key features to their pre-war specs and introducing a selection of performance-minded enhancements. Most importantly, the refreshed D-18’s solid Sitka spruce top now boasts Golden Era forward-shifted X-bracing to maximize its response and provide guitarists with a livelier and more resonant feel. Traditional mahogany sides grant the D-18 a warm, punchy, and bass-rich voice that slices through bluegrass ensembles and fills out the foundation of rock, country, and pop mixes. Plus, the select hardwood neck’s GE Modified Low Oval profile and 1 3/4-inch nut width are geared to please high-speed flat-pickers, finger-style pros, and couch strummers alike with its fast and comfortable feel. Finished off with several other Standard series refresh upgrades, including a thinner beveled ebony fingerboard and a sleek vintage heel, the refreshed Martin D-18 only enhances what is inarguably one of the 6-string world’s most cherished and time-tested designs.
Offering a warm and punchy voice, the D-18’s spruce-topped mahogany tone has graced countless recordings in almost every genre and era since it launched in 1931. Whether you know it or not, you’ve undoubtedly heard the D-18 before if you have even a passing familiarity with guitar-based music of the 20th century. So, what does it sound like? First off, the refreshed D-18’s Sitka spruce top stands supported by Golden Era forward-shifted X-bracing — a much-welcomed change by vintage Martin fanatics, as it captures the ultra-responsive feel and rich low-end power that have made Martin’s prewar models among the most sought-after instruments on the planet. A mahogany back and sides round out the D-18 with a tone that strongly favors the fundamental of your note, as opposed to the harmonic-dense voice of the rosewood-clad D-28. These qualities have made the D-18 one of the most popular and ubiquitous steel-string designs in history and a longtime favorite of bluegrass pickers, rock strummers, country artists, and every other genre where acoustic guitars reign.
If there were such a thing as a “standard” acoustic guitar shape, it would undoubtedly be the dreadnaught. It’s Martin’s most iconic model and a key component to the cannon-like projection and booming bass response that’s defined the Nazareth sound since the D-18 and D-28 appeared in the early 1930s — and even earlier if you count Martin’s “Ditson” models! Whether you’re a flat-picking bluegrass phenom or a singer/songwriter strummer, a Martin dreadnaught will provide you with a lifetime’s worth of superior steel-string tone.
Considering the storied history of Martin’s acoustic guitar engineering and building practices, there’s no question that the company’s iconic models stand firm as the backbone of American steel-string instrument design. With this sentiment top of mind, Martin presents the refreshed Standard series: a lineup dedicated to reviving the looks and tone of the brand’s golden-era vintage models while introducing a complex set of modern performance enhancements. The result is a comprehensive update to Martin’s most revered range of instruments, combining tonal authenticity with the comfort and versatility of a contemporary instrument. Across-the-board changes include remarkably responsive GE (Golden Era) bracing, thinner fingerboards with beveled edges, a slick vintage-style heel, angled nuts, and GE belly bridges equipped with bone or ebony bridge pins. What’s more, the refreshed standard series introduces a fresh new trio of Martin models back into the fold, including the iconic 000-17, D-17, and OM-45. Refreshed with a plethora of musician-requested features, the Standard series harnesses the power of these legendary acoustics and takes center stage once again. This guitar is in minty shape, rated at 9.9/10. All original and free of any breaks, cracks or repairs. Included with this guitar is an original hard-shell case, a complimentary sample of Fret-Not, our preferred fretboard cleaner, check it out at fretnot.net and a complimentary Cooper Standard Fin guitar pick—our favorite for enhanced control and reduced movement! Thank you for considering this exceptional instrument from Lovies Guitars.
Features:
A refresh to Martin’s iconic Standard series D-18, bringing several key specs back in line with the company’s golden-era models
Solid Sitka spruce top supported by Golden Era forward-shifted X-bracing supplies massive unplugged punch and projection, along with a truly touch-sensitive response
Solid mahogany back and sides round out the D-18’s voice with a warm, punchy, and fundamental-focused voice
Big-bodied Martin dreadnought design ensures ample, chest-thumping bass response
Easy-playing select hardwood neck, capped with a slick satin finish and carved into Martin’s GE Modified Low Oval neck profile
Sleek 16-in.-radius ebony fingerboard with traditional Style 18 inlays
Nickel open-gear tuners preserve pitch-perfect stability and grant a touch of old-school charm
Premium bone nut and compensated saddle, along with an ebony bridge and ebony bridge pins
Additional Standard series refresh features include a thinner fingerboard with comfortably beveled edges, a vintage-style heel, and an angled nut
Traditional Style 18 appointments offer a charmingly understated feel, including black binding and a faux tortoiseshell pickguard
1 3/4-in. nut width is slim enough for strummers and wide enough to accommodate fingerpickers
1st Fret: .840”
9th Fret: .910”
Nut Width: 1 3/4”
Serial: 2775443
SKU: 8127
We offer a 14-day money-back return policy. Buy with confidence.
All guitars are guaranteed to arrive in the condition as described, and a full refund will be issued if not. Additionally, all our guitars are fully insured, and we will assist with any claims that may arise.
Lovies Guitars holds a CITES Master File, and we can provide certificates when and where they are required. We are also declaration-friendly, ensuring a smooth experience for international shipments.
