This is a totally unmolested 47 D-18, only the nut and saddle (ivory) and the tuners have been replaced. Almost forgot: the string pins — the ivory ones in the photo are not included. No repairs, not even a neck set, and it plays like butter with mediums... The guitar is beautiful, certainly mint for its age, and the sound is what you would expect from a 47 D-18 with tapered braces, making the 40's guitars louder and more defined, better than the 50's D-18's, and more desirable. This guitar, partially because of the tapered braces, is loud and in your face – defined, and strident with that Martin edge. This guitar is not for the weak of heart... in bluegrass heaven all the banjo players will be wondering, "what was that?" In 49 they changed the bracing and took that brashness out of the 18 and made it more mellow and a bit softer, a better ballad-singing guitar, but the 47 is all bluegrass, prominent, and b_lls against the wall.

This is one of a handful of D-18's made in 1947, and if you have looked at the others out there, you know that most of them are beat up, with cracks all over, and numerous repairs... Anyway, if this is what you are looking for, a perfect old 47 D-18... any questions, email me... By the way, this guitar has not been listed for three years... it was listed 3 years ago for a short time and taken down... this is a new listing...