I don't want to sell this guitar.


I love this guitar. Every person who plays it loves it. Even everyone who sees it loves it.


There's nothing like a pre-war Martin. It's the epitome of acoustic guitars. My personal preferences:

- lots of honest wear

- original finish AND pick guard

- "explosive" sound

- playability


its got all this. It's like a real-life relic. the neck was reset years ago by super respected luthier Mike Lennon. Bridge plate was replaced, but beautifully. correct size. People prefer original bridge plates, but (I have opinions about this) is usually because they werent done well, oversized, too thick, wrong wood. This is not that. Strings sit perfectly. Awesome transmission of power. Tuners are modern but dont look at all out of place, and obviously 100x better tuning stability.


Behind that everything is original.


I dk why but all the sudden it's getting harder and harder to find a nice D-18. They seem to all be completely glossy refin, like a new guitar totally "green", or so many cracks and bashes, you can see the guitar basically at one point was a bag of splinters that a luthier pulled together. Or rare you get a remarkable instrument, but it's with a dealer asking 2-3x what it should be.


theres a million reasons to love this guitars. It's not mint but it's honest and totally acceptable to any collector or player. 1940 is my favorite year. People who are deep into this stuff know that the 1940 pre war often have some of the best sound. Less broad and "float" than a 1937, but they're often more powerful. The neck is beautiful. Medium comfortable V shape. this could be built today. But more than anything, this guitar has clearly been loved for 86 years and played 1000's of hours. And it sounds like it. You pick the string and it somehow gives you more volume, then you can imagine. It's like doubling the energy. Big clear bass, clear sweet but bell like highs. So loud and so musical. Ugh I really don't want to sell this guitar.

Anyway, I'll keep it until the right person wants to adopt her. If you love the hunt-for-guitars don't buy it. Because you'll be retired from G.A.S. forever.

This item is sold As-Described

This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.Learn More.

Listed3 months ago
ConditionVery Good (Used)
Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • D-18
Finish
  • Natural
Categories
Year
  • 1934 - 1945
Made In
  • United States
Pickup
  • None
Series
String Type
  • Steel
Right / Left Handed
  • Right Handed
Model Family
Number of Strings
  • 6-String
Neck Material
  • Mahogany
Body Shape
  • Dreadnought
Finish Style
  • Gloss
Top Material
  • Spruce
Back Material
  • Mahogany
Sides Material
  • Mahogany
Fretboard Material
  • Ebony
Color Family
  • Natural
Active Preamp
  • No
Number of Frets
  • 20

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Leon Guitars .com

San Francisco, CA, United States
Joined Reverb:2016

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