NGD: 2008 Martin D-18 Authentic 1937...with sound sample

[brencat]

I just picked this beauty up from the AGF classifieds. I'd been looking for one on and off, not terribly hard, and then magically this shows up, 11 years old, in like new condition. I almost can't believe my incredible stroke of luck!

This is simply an awesome forward-shifted braced Martin dread. For years, I've read about how huge the necks are on these. Now that I own one, honestly, it's nowhere near what I expected based on the hyperbole. It's basically a D-28 Marquis neck with a little more roundness in the shoulder area. Supposed to be a 1937 "C to V" profile, but it's more full C overall. Absolutely terrific! And the playability is great... very similar to my 000-18 Authentic in the feel and how the instrument responds.

The sound is HUGE with round, thick notes, and deep cavernous bass. 1 3/4 nut, 2 5/16" string spacing. Glued in long saddle. Nice dark mahogany stain. Someone, please tell me again how I keep ending up with sunbursts???

Enjoy the photos and the sound sample...

[Treenewt]

Brendan, that is an amazing D18 you’ve got! Love the burst, and the tone is quintessential D18 goodness! Congrats!

[3notes]

I love those tuning machines. Who makes them.?? Nice clip and great playing.

[marty bradbury]

Beautiful guitar! Tomorrow I will take a listen. Enjoy,

[Glennwillow]

Wow Brendan!

That is a gorgeous guitar! Good for you! I have played some of those '37 D-18 Authentics and they are wonderful!

You are building quite a stable of guitars! Good for you!

- Glenn

[BrunoBlack]

Hey Brendan, it’s been fun sharing guitar experiences over the past several years and this really seems to be your happy spot. Looks & sounds great. Enjoy!

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by 3notes

I love those tuning machines. Who makes them.?

They look like Waverly Vintage Ovals, I have them on both of my Martin Dreads...

https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and..._Pegheads.html

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

[akwingnut]

Congratulations. I have your guitar's identical twin - a "hybrid" 2007/2008, in that it has a 2007 s/n but the 2008 175th Anniversary stamp on the back strip. Aren't they great?

[brencat]

Originally Posted by akwingnut

Congratulations. I have your guitar's identical twin - a "hybrid" 2007/2008, in that it has a 2007 s/n but the 2008 175th Anniversary stamp on the back strip. Aren't they great?

Phenomenal dread. My 000-18 Authentic is like yours... a 2007 s/n but completed in early 2008 and also has the 175th anniversary stamp. These are great Martins. So different from the modern/standard line in how they play and respond. Hard to believe they're from the same builder.

Originally Posted by Haasome

Hey Brendan, it’s been fun sharing guitar experiences over the past several years and this really seems to be your happy spot. Looks & sounds great. Enjoy!

Hey Paul. Thanks for listening!

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

Wow Brendan!

That is a gorgeous guitar! Good for you! I have played some of those '37 D-18 Authentics and they are wonderful!

You are building quite a stable of guitars! Good for you!

- Glenn

Ha, thanks Glenn. I'm trying to keep the number under control. I'm at the end now though, thankfully. At six currently, but that will be corrected to 5 in short order.

Originally Posted by 3notes

I love those tuning machines. Who makes them.?? Nice clip and great playing.

They are Waverly vintage oval butterbeans... standard on the D-18A 1937. Thanks for listening.

Originally Posted by Treenewt

Brendan, that is an amazing D18 you’ve got! Love the burst, and the tone is quintessential D18 goodness! Congrats!

Thanks bud. I can't do this guitar justice, but I'm trying my best...

[Kh1967]

Congratulations, my friend! Beautiful in both looks and tone - you done good!

[noledog]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

They look like Waverly Vintage Ovals, I have them on both of my Martin Dreads...

https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and..._Pegheads.html

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

+1... I put them on my D-18. They look and perform better imo then the stock Martin buttabeanz... got 'em at StewMac.

Brendan, that is a beautiful 18 and that top is gorgeous! ...sounds wonderful and hope you enjoy many years of makin' music on 'er buddy!

[TBman]

Excellent find! Congrats. Martin knows a thing or two about sunbursts also I see.

[chasingchet]

Originally Posted by brencat

I just picked this beauty up from the AGF classifieds. I'd been looking for one on and off, not terribly hard, and then magically this shows up, 11 years old, in like new condition. I almost can't believe my incredible stroke of luck!

This is simply an awesome forward-shifted braced Martin dread. For years, I've read about how huge the necks are on these. Now that I own one, honestly, it's nowhere near what I expected based on the hyperbole. It's basically a D-28 Marquis neck with a little more roundness in the shoulder area. Supposed to be a 1937 "C to V" profile, but it's more full C overall. Absolutely terrific! And the playability is great... very similar to my 000-18 Authentic in the feel and how the instrument responds.

The sound is HUGE with round, thick notes, and deep cavernous bass. 1 3/4 nut, 2 5/16" string spacing. Glued in long saddle. Nice dark mahogany stain. Someone, please tell me again how I keep ending up with sunbursts???

Enjoy the photos and the sound sample...

sound incredible!! congrats

[chasingchet]

I just purchased my D18 what strings are on there?? thanks a lot

[Rockysdad]

Congrats, very nice indeed, enjoy.