This is one vibey and lush-sounding 1954 D-18! Check out the included demo video.

Owned for a number of years by a great singer-songwriter friend of mine, this is a super cool, killer-sounding D-18 that he and I both used in the studio for an album he has been recording over the last couple years. The most notable feature of it is the old custom pickguard, which would likely have been added within a couple years of the guitar having been built (it’s made from the “pepperoni”-looking pickguard material Martin used in late ‘56 and ‘57). The guitar also plays fantastically thanks to a neck reset (about 10 years ago) and a recent PLEK setup by Glaser Instruments here in Nashville.

Previous repairs include: cleated pickguard crack, another glued top crack, a few glued side cracks (a couple of which are emanating from the endpin), a couple hairlines that don’t appear to go all the way through the wood (including two “lacquer cracks” on the back), replaced bridge, refret (very little fretwear), replaced Kluson Deluxe tuners (originals are in the case), strap button added to the heel, and plenty of surface wear and buckle rash. The finish and bridgeplate are original.

This is a particularly rockin’ dreadnought that plays and sounds just about perfect for a ‘50s D-18! Asking $9,300 here on Reverb (lower on other forums) plus shipping. Comes in newer hardshell Martin case.