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Full-length view of a natural finish acoustic guitar with a dark pickguard, showing light wear and a brown velvet-lined hard case.
01 / 24Full-length view of a natural finish acoustic guitar with a dark pickguard, showing light wear and a brown velvet-lined hard case.
Full front view of a natural finish acoustic guitar with a dark tortoise pickguard, showing wear and checking on the body.
02 / 24Full front view of a natural finish acoustic guitar with a dark tortoise pickguard, showing wear and checking on the body.
The back of a natural finish dreadnought acoustic guitar, showing the headstock, neck, and body with visible scratches and wear.
03 / 24The back of a natural finish dreadnought acoustic guitar, showing the headstock, neck, and body with visible scratches and wear.
The guitar's dark brown back and neck are shown from behind, with many scratches and scuffs visible on the body.
04 / 24The guitar's dark brown back and neck are shown from behind, with many scratches and scuffs visible on the body.
Close-up of the dark brown headstock, showing six chrome tuners, a cream nut, and light strings, with some finish wear.
05 / 24Close-up of the dark brown headstock, showing six chrome tuners, a cream nut, and light strings, with some finish wear.
Rear view of the guitar's headstock and neck, showing six tarnished open-gear tuners with metal buttons on a dark wood finish.
06 / 24Rear view of the guitar's headstock and neck, showing six tarnished open-gear tuners with metal buttons on a dark wood finish.
The guitar's natural finish top and dark sides are visible from the lower bout, showing a black endpin and some surface wear.
07 / 24The guitar's natural finish top and dark sides are visible from the lower bout, showing a black endpin and some surface wear.
The natural finish acoustic guitar is angled to show the body, soundhole, pickguard, and lower fretboard, with visible wear and checking.
08 / 24The natural finish acoustic guitar is angled to show the body, soundhole, pickguard, and lower fretboard, with visible wear and checking.
The natural finish acoustic guitar is angled, showing its light brown top, dark brown sides, pickguard, soundhole, and fretboard.
09 / 24The natural finish acoustic guitar is angled, showing its light brown top, dark brown sides, pickguard, soundhole, and fretboard.
Angled view of the natural-finish dreadnought acoustic guitar body, showing the soundhole, pickguard, bridge, and dark sides with minor wear.
10 / 24Angled view of the natural-finish dreadnought acoustic guitar body, showing the soundhole, pickguard, bridge, and dark sides with minor wear.
The lower bout of a natural finish acoustic guitar, showing the worn, scratched back and glossy side with a black end pin.
11 / 24The lower bout of a natural finish acoustic guitar, showing the worn, scratched back and glossy side with a black end pin.
The lower bout and neck heel of a natural finish acoustic guitar, showing wear and scratches on the top and side.
12 / 24The lower bout and neck heel of a natural finish acoustic guitar, showing wear and scratches on the top and side.
The lower bout and side of the natural finish dreadnought show light wear and scratches, with the heel of the neck visible to the right.
13 / 24The lower bout and side of the natural finish dreadnought show light wear and scratches, with the heel of the neck visible to the right.
The guitar's lower bout and side, showing a natural finish with light scratches and a black end pin.
14 / 24The guitar's lower bout and side, showing a natural finish with light scratches and a black end pin.
The lower bout of the guitar's natural finish mahogany body, showing a black endpin, dark binding, and light surface scratches.
15 / 24The lower bout of the guitar's natural finish mahogany body, showing a black endpin, dark binding, and light surface scratches.
A digital caliper measures the guitar's nut width at 1.68 inches, resting on the dark fretboard with light strings.
16 / 24A digital caliper measures the guitar's nut width at 1.68 inches, resting on the dark fretboard with light strings.
A digital caliper measures the guitar's neck thickness at 0.87 inches, with the dark brown neck and light fretboard visible.
17 / 24A digital caliper measures the guitar's neck thickness at 0.87 inches, with the dark brown neck and light fretboard visible.
A digital caliper measures the neck thickness at the 5th fret, displaying "1.06" on its screen.
18 / 24A digital caliper measures the neck thickness at the 5th fret, displaying "1.06" on its screen.
A close-up of a digital scale displaying "4 lb 16 oz" with a cracked screen, next to a gray plush guitar case lining.
19 / 24A close-up of a digital scale displaying "4 lb 16 oz" with a cracked screen, next to a gray plush guitar case lining.
Close-up of the guitar's interior, showing the natural wood grain and a light-colored paper label with faded black text.
20 / 24Close-up of the guitar's interior, showing the natural wood grain and a light-colored paper label with faded black text.
Inside the guitar, the natural wood neck block is stamped with "D-18" and the serial number "105951".
21 / 24Inside the guitar, the natural wood neck block is stamped with "D-18" and the serial number "105951".
Close-up of the guitar's dark brown neck heel, showing some finish wear and a thin crack along the joint with the body.
22 / 24Close-up of the guitar's dark brown neck heel, showing some finish wear and a thin crack along the joint with the body.
Close-up of the guitar's dark brown heel cap, showing visible scratches and wear on its glossy surface and surrounding wood.
23 / 24Close-up of the guitar's dark brown heel cap, showing visible scratches and wear on its glossy surface and surrounding wood.
Close-up of the guitar's neck heel and upper bout, showing a chrome strap button and some finish wear along the neck joint.
24 / 24Close-up of the guitar's neck heel and upper bout, showing a chrome strap button and some finish wear along the neck joint.

Martin

1948 Martin D-18 Dreadnought Acoustic Natural Finish w/HSC

$18,995.00

Available

  • Year1948
  • ConditionVery Good
  • StoreSherman Oaks
  • CaseHSC
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Specifications

Instrument

Year
1948
Model
Martin D-18 Dreadnought Acoustic Natural Finish
Finish
Natural
Condition
Very Good
Made in
United States
Store
Sherman Oaks

Measurements

Scale length (in)
25.4
Nut width (in)
1.688
Neck depth, 1st fret (in)
0.87
Weight
4lbs

Construction

Body
Mahogany
Top
Spruce
Neck
Mahogany
Fingerboard
Brazilian Rosewood
Frets
Previously Refretted With Vintage-Sized Wire, Frets Are In Good Playable Condition With Some Life Left

Hardware & electronics

Tuners
Original Grover Tuners

Case

Case
HSC

Description

1948 Martin D-18 Dreadnought In Natural Finish

Finish Shows Evidence Of Older Light Overspray And Cosmetic Play Wear, Including Various Dings, Marks And Scratches Visible Throughout

Older Neck And Bridge Reset

Saddle Is Low, Will Benefit From A New Neck Reset In Coming Years

Currently Plays Well With Medium Action

Pickguard Shows Some Shrinking And Small Stress Crack In One Area (See Photos)

Added Strap Button As Shown

No Other Major Cracks, Breaks Or Repairs

Braces Intact

Excellent Sounding Guitar

Made In Nazareth, PA

Dreadnought Body With Mahogany Back And Sides And Solid Spruce Top

Mahogany Neck With Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard And Mother Of Pearl Dot Inlays

Brazilian Rosewood Bridge With Through Saddle

Red Tortoise Shell Binding

Neck Depth At 10th Fret: 1.06"

String Height At 12th Fret Bass Side: 4/32"

String Height At 12th Fret Treble Side: 2/32"

Comes As Shown With 70's Martin Hard Shell Case

The 1948 Martin D-18 is a quintessential post-war dreadnought prized for its clarity, balance, and dry, woody tone. Built with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it delivers strong fundamental notes, crisp articulation, and a focused low end that records beautifully. The comfortable mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and understated appointments reflect Martin’s no-frills craftsmanship of the era. With its powerful projection and honest, timeless voice, a ’48 D-18 is a benchmark acoustic for flatpickers, singer-songwriters, and traditionalists alike.

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