The only reason this is not described as in excellent condition is because of a small amount of fret wear underneath the E and B string that goes up to the sixth fret.

It’s the authentic series 1st year of release. It does not have a strap button. it does not have a pick up. The original tuners are included and they work just fine. I just like the lighter weight Waverly on it. There are no cracks in the wood and no loose binding.

Martin D 18 authentic aged VTS

The key features of the D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged VTS are:

• Adirondack spruce top with Vintage Tone System (VTS) treatment
• Genuine mahogany back and sides
• Hide-glue construction
• Rear-shifted scalloped 1939-style bracing
• Authentic 1939 neck profile
• Factory-aged (“relic”) finish and hardware  

Many Martin enthusiasts consider the 1939 Authentic one of the finest modern mahogany dreadnoughts Martin has produced. The rear-shifted bracing gives it a slightly tighter, punchier bass and strong note separation compared with the forward-shifted-braced 1937 Authentic models.  

The Martin D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged VTS is one of Martin’s most historically accurate pre-war reproductions. Here are the factory specifications for your model:  

Body

• Dreadnought, 14-fret
• Solid Adirondack spruce top with Vintage Tone System (VTS) torrefaction
• Solid genuine mahogany back and sides
• Rearward-shifted scalloped X-bracing (1939 pattern)
• 5/16” Adirondack spruce braces with VTS
• Hide-glue construction throughout
• Vintage Gloss Aged finish
• Faux tortoise binding and pickguard
• Multi-stripe rosette  

Neck

• Genuine mahogany neck
• Authentic 1939 neck profile
• Standard taper
• Traditional dovetail neck joint
• Non-adjustable T-bar neck reinforcement (period-correct construction)  

Fingerboard & Bridge

• Ebony fingerboard
• 20 frets
• Old Style 18 abalone position markers
• Ebony Authentic belly bridge with long saddle
• Bone nut and bone saddle  

Dimensions

• Scale length: 25.4 in (645 mm)
• Nut width: 1 11/16 in (42.9 mm)
• Width at 12th fret: 2 1/8 in (54 mm)
• Bridge string spacing: 2 1/8 in  

Hardware

• Nickel open-gear tuners with butterbean knobs
• Aged hardware treatment
• Black bridge pins
• Madagascar rosewood headplate veneer
• Original Martin hardshell case included  

What Makes the 1939 Different?

The biggest tonal difference between the 1939 Authentic and the 1937 Authentic is the rearward-shifted bracing. The 1939 tends to have:

• A tighter, more controlled bass
• Strong low-mid “growl”
• Excellent note separation
• Outstanding flatpicking clarity

The 1937, with forward-shifted bracing, is usually a bit boomier and more open in the bass. Many bluegrass players prefer the 1939 because it cuts through a jam exceptionally well.  

The D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged VTS is often described as a “cannon”—very powerful, dry, woody, and responsive, with that classic mahogany dreadnought punch.