This guitar is fully checked and professionally set up by our team of luthiers at Max Guitar, so you won’t have to worry about playability or technical issues. We love setting up instruments exactly the way you prefer — just contact us with your personal setup requests. Please contact us to discuss available shipping options.

Crafted in Martin’s Custom Shop, the D18-S 12-Fret Slotted Headstock channels the company’s century of scalloped-bracing innovation into a soulful, vintage-style dreadnought. A solid Sitka spruce top meets solid mahogany back and sides for that quintessential D-18 voice: woody, immediate, and irresistibly musical. The 12-fret, slope-shoulder body shifts the bridge into the heart of the lower bout, unlocking a wider, more open resonance and a graceful, old-world response.

Ebony fingerboard and bridge complete the classic 18-style recipe, framed by tasteful black binding, Old Style 18 rosette, and abalone inlays beneath an elegant aging toner gloss. Under the hood, scalloped Sitka spruce X-bracing heightens sensitivity and headroom, translating your touch into quick, articulate attack with a dry, focused midrange that projects effortlessly. You get the bold authority of a dreadnought with the balance and clarity often associated with OM/000 guitars—strong fundamentals, controlled overtones, and shimmering trebles that record beautifully.

Strummers will love the punch and projection, while fingerstylists will appreciate the airy bloom and nuanced dynamics that a 12-fret design naturally encourages. The Modified Low Oval neck with satin finish feels fast and inviting, offering comfortable string spacing at the nut for clean fingerstyle voicings without crowding flatpicked lines. The slotted headstock increases downforce over the nut for a taut, responsive feel and a touch of vintage elegance, while the modern belly bridge supports stable intonation and sustain.

Action is dialed to let you dig in for bluegrass drive or back off for featherlight phrasing. Whether you’re tracking in the studio, accompanying a voice, or commanding an acoustic stage with a microphone, this Custom Shop D18-S delivers the classic Martin dreadnought presence with remarkable balance and warmth. Every example is checked and adjusted by Max Guitar luthiers for optimal playability and setup.

Specifications

• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• String Spacing: 2 5/16"
• Condition: New
• Acoustic Body Shape: Dreadnought
• Number of Strings: 6
• Orientation: Right-handed
• Vintage: No
• Kids Size: No
• Country of Manufacture: US
• Brand: Martin