1969 Martin D-18 Vintage Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar – Serial #251787 – Hardshell Case – $3,450 OBO

Beautiful and wonderfully playable 1969 Martin D-18, serial #251787, with a beautifully aged spruce top, mahogany back and sides and decades of genuine vintage patina.

Martin's serial-number records date #251787 to 1969.

This is a player-grade vintage D-18, not a cosmetically restored or museum-condition example. It has been left essentially as found rather than polished, refinished, restrung or cosmetically restored.

Most importantly, it plays very comfortably with fast, low action and sounds beautiful. The voice is clear, delicate and highly resonant, with the sweetness and woody character expected from a vintage spruce-and-mahogany D-18.

Features:

• Genuine 1969 Martin D-18
• Serial #251787
• Dreadnought body
• Spruce top
• Mahogany back and sides
• Mahogany neck
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Rosewood bridge
• Natural finish with beautiful aged patina
• Vintage West German Schaller tuning machines
• Quality vintage hardshell case included

Known modifications / condition notes:

The guitar is currently fitted with vintage West German Schaller tuning machines. I have not removed them to investigate their installation or the guitar's previous tuner history.

The black pickguard is a replacement and was installed slightly out of alignment. It could be corrected or replaced if a future owner wishes, but I have deliberately left it as found.

The wooden bridge was previously shaved/lowered, and the guitar currently has low, comfortable action and plays very nicely.

A strap button has been added at the heel of the neck.

There are two small hairline cracks in the mahogany side near the lower portion of the body, clearly shown in the photographs. They have been left as found rather than repaired by me. A future owner may wish to have them professionally evaluated and stabilized if necessary.

There are normal scratches, small marks, finish wear and other signs of age and use consistent with a vintage instrument approaching sixty years old. Please examine the detailed photographs carefully for exact cosmetic condition.

I am not representing the guitar as structurally restored, recently serviced or professionally inspected. Other than the items described above, I am not aware of additional alterations, but its complete lifetime service history is unknown.

The guitar has intentionally not been cleaned, polished, restrung or otherwise cosmetically refreshed for sale. I preferred to leave its vintage patina intact and allow the next owner to determine what, if anything, they would like done.

It is currently playable and, in my opinion, exceptionally enjoyable to play. The neck feels comfortable, the action is comfortable and responsive, and the guitar has the open, delicate and mature sound that makes an old D-18 such a special instrument.

A wonderful opportunity for someone looking for a real late-1960s Martin D-18 to play and enjoy, rather than a pristine collector piece they're afraid to take out of the case.

Quality vintage hardshell case included.

$3,450 OBO

Local inspection and pickup in the Los Angeles / South Bay area is welcome and encouraged.

Shipping can be arranged with careful packing and full insurance.

Sold as pictured and described.