For Sale: Martin Ditson 111 12-Fret Dreadnaught

[Trent in WA]

For sale is Martin's reissue of the Ditson 111 dreadnaught. The Ditson was Martin's first dreadnaught, manufactured starting in 1916 for the Oliver Ditson department stores in Boston and New York. The reissued Ditson is basically a 12-fret version of a Golden Era D-18, featuring the same construction and appointments: 25.4" scale, mahogany back and sides, Brazilian rosewood fretboard binding and headstock overlay, Adirondack spruce top, and the Golden Era bracing pattern. Ebony fingerboard, 1 7/8" nut width, modified V neck. Comes with the original hardshell case. The inside Martin label was signed by C. F. Martin IV. It's a surprisingly easy guitar to play, strung with medium-light gauge strings, but also works pretty well with mediums and lights. It's a powerful guitar with punchy bass and great clarity in the treble. It records really well. For an idea of how it sounds, check out the YouTube video I posted:

https://youtu.be/FqgGRH6gXrw

I will include a few sets of strings in medium and medium-light for you to begin the process of figuring out what you like best on it. I'll also ship the guitar with an Oasis humidifier to help protect it during shipping.

A note on condition: The guitar has a small ding on the top in the lower right bout, and a small (2mm) chip in the finish on the lower left bout on the back. (The latter is visible in the photos.) Also, there are some minor indentations in the finish on the headstock that I suspect are from a clip-on tuner.

PRICE: $2900 (originally $3100) shipped in the continental US. (This is the same "raw" price as in my Reverb listing for the guitar, but the AGF bonus is that I'll cover shipping and you won't have to pay taxes or fees.)

[Trent in WA]

I decided to lower the price a little. Now $3000 shipped in CONUS. If you've ever wanted to own a 12-fret dread, this is your chance!

[Trent in WA]

This lovely guitar is still available. PM me if you're interested.

[migman]

I am interested

[Trent in WA]

Originally Posted by migman

I am interested

Look for my PM momentarily....

[sedandelivery]

I’ve always loved that style of pickguard. Don’t see these too often. Too cool!

[Trent in WA]

Originally Posted by sedandelivery

I’ve always loved that style of pickguard. Don’t see these too often. Too cool!

I always liked it, and on a 12-fret it's right where you need it to be.

[Diamondave]

One of my favorites, I own one, love it...!

[Malcolm Kindnes]

These are superb guitars, I own probably the only one in Ireland. Good luck with your sale.

[Trent in WA]

A glorious guitar that’s still available.

[nwapoolguy]

Super cool Martin! I had a D-18VS for a time. Don’t let the V neck scare you off. They are actually quite comfortable. What’s the bridge string spacing on this beauty?

[Trent in WA]

Jeff, I don't have a precise ruler handy, but it looks like it's between 2 6/16"-2 7/16".

[Trent in WA]

Now selling for $2900 shipped CONUS. One of only 176 of these lovely instruments made. You know you want it....

[nwapoolguy]

Man I can’t believe this one is still available. What a gem this Martin is!

[MCDEMO1]

I tried a new one of these Ditson 111s years ago when they were first released and loved the sound, but I had just purchased a used Collings DS1A 12-fret dread and decided to stay put.

I now own a different 12-fret, otherwise I would buy this guitar. In some ways it has nicer features than the D1 Authentic '31 depending upon your preferences - better tuners, wood bindings, a truss rod, pyramid bridge, non-torrefied top, and a full gloss finish on the body.

Surprised it is still here. Beautiful woods on this particular example. If you like wide nut and string spacing, 12-fret mahogany/spruce guitars it does not get much better.