Martin Custom Shop D-18 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

The Martin Custom Shop D-18 brings top-shelf tonewoods and handcrafted Martin quality within easy reach. This is the full Custom Shop experience—no design session required—delivering the legendary D-18 sound with premium upgrades that elevate tone, playability, and visual appeal.

Why the Custom Shop D-18 Stands Apart

Built with solid Adirondack spruce top and genuine mahogany back and sides, this dreadnought delivers clear, punchy tone with powerful projection that cuts through any mix. Whether you're flatpicking bluegrass, strumming folk, or fingerpicking country, the Custom Shop D-18 responds with dynamic range and vintage-inspired warmth.

Premium Tonewoods & Golden Era Craftsmanship

• Adirondack Spruce Top with aging toner finish provides exceptional clarity and headroom
• Genuine Mahogany back and sides deliver warm midrange and balanced overtones
• Hand-Shaped Golden Era Scalloped Bracing (forward-shifted) enhances resonance and dynamic response
• Traditional Dovetail Neck Joint ensures superior energy transfer and sustain

Vintage Style 18 Aesthetic with a Twist

The Custom Shop D-18 honors Martin's Style 18 tradition with a unique update: faux tortoise binding replaces the traditional black, adding visual warmth that complements the dark mahogany and aging toner finish. Old Style 18 abalone inlays, faux tortoise pickguard, and authentic script logo complete the vintage-inspired look.

Modern Playability

The GE Modified Low Oval neck with high-performance taper offers comfortable feel across all positions, while the 1 3/4" nut width provides generous string spacing for precise fingerstyle work or aggressive flatpicking. The ebony fingerboard and bone nut and saddle ensure optimal tone transfer and tuning stability.

Who This Guitar Is For

Perfect for players stepping up to their dream guitar or adding a truly inspiring instrument to their collection. The Custom Shop D-18 proves that high-end Martin craftsmanship doesn't have to be hard to find—it's ready to ship and built to inspire from the first strum.

Specifications at a Glance

Body: D-14 Fret (Dreadnought)

Top: Solid Adirondack Spruce with Aging Toner

Back & Sides: Solid Genuine Mahogany

Neck: Select Hardwood, GE Modified Low Oval

Fingerboard: Ebony with Old Style 18 Abalone Inlay

Nut Width: 1 3/4"

Scale Length: 25.4"

Bracing: Hand-Shaped GE-Scalloped, Forward-Shifted X-Brace

Binding: Faux Tortoise (Top)

Tuners: Nickel Open Gear with Butterbean Knobs

Case: Hardshell Included

Strings: Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze (Medium)Complete Technical Specifications

Top Construction:

• Material: Adirondack Spruce
• Finish: Gloss
• Color: Aging Toner
• Rosette: Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe
• Binding: Faux Tortoise
• Top Inlay: Multi-Stripe

Back & Sides:

• Back Material: Genuine Mahogany
• Side Material: Genuine Mahogany
• Finish: Gloss
• Color: Dark Mahogany
• Back Purfling: Style 18
• Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint

Bracing & Internal Construction:

• Pattern: Forward-Shifted X-Brace
• Brace Shape: GE-Scalloped Hand Shaped
• Brace Material: Adirondack Spruce, 5/16"
• Heelcap: Faux Tortoise
• Endpiece: Faux Tortoise

Neck & Fingerboard:

• Neck Shape: GE Modified Low Oval
• Neck Taper: High-Performance Taper
• Material: Select Hardwood
• Finish: Satin
• Color: Dark Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Inlay: Old Style 18 in Abalone
• Nut Width: 1 3/4"
• Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8"
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Total Frets: 20
• Nut Material: Bone

Bridge & Hardware:

• Bridge: Ebony, GE Modern Belly with Drop-in Saddle
• Saddle: Bone, 16" Radius
• Bridge Pins: Black Plastic
• String Spacing: 2 5/32"
• Pickguard: Faux Tortoise

Headstock:

• Shape: Solid with Square Taper
• Headplate: East Indian Rosewood
• Logo: Authentic Style Script Overlay
• Tuners: Nickel Open Gear with Butterbean Knobs

Included:

• Hardshell Case
• Strung with Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze Strings (Medium)
• serial number: 3042364

Recommended Strings

Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 Guitar Strings Phosphor Bronze - Medium

Why Buy from VERA Guitars?

As an authorized Martin dealer, we provide expert setup, fast shipping across the United States, and personalized service for every premium instrument. Questions about the Custom Shop D-18? Our team is here to help.

SKU: 10CMD182025 | UPC: 729789709811