1947 Martin D-18
1947 C. F. Martin D-18 guitar # 101516. This beautiful 74-year-old Martin has a tremendous sound and performs wonderfully with flat-pick or fingers. It has the crisp punch associated with the best mahogany guitars and strong rich chords and volume to spare; truly, a masterpiece of the era when Martin tapered the braces to marry stability with lively response.
Features and appointments of Martin D-18 # 101516 are consistent with factory specifications for this model and year and include Sitka spruce top; Honduras mahogany back, sides and neck; tapered braces; Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard with small dot position markers; Brazilian Rosewood peg head overlay with “C.F. Martin & Co. Est. 1833” peg head decal; tortoise/black acetate bindings on top and back; Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge; ebony heel cap.
Martin D-18 guitar # 101516 was one of a batch of style D-18 stamped on August 7, 1947 and cleared final inspection on December 16, 1947. It was a treasured possession of a North Carolina musician who bought it new. The spirit of a well-loved much-played instrument is evident in every note. It shows wear from playing in areas around the sound hole and on the back. There has been some set-up work including new saddle and the bridge has been moved back 1/16 inch to improve intonation. There is a professionally repaired crack associated with the pick guard; this is the only crack anywhere on the guitar. Thankfully, there has been no attempt at any finish touch-up, and all the finish is 100% original. The original Geib & Shaffer case is with the guitar and is in extremely fine condition. Our price: $10,250 (includes cost of shipping in continental US).
Specifications:
Dreadnaught body shape with 15 5/8 inch lower bout;
natural finish;
Sitka spruce top;
Quarter-sawn Honduran mahogany back, sides and neck;
Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with dot position markers;
tortoise colored acetate teardrop shape pick guard
tortoise colored acetate body bindings
open back Grover tuners;
neck thickness of 3/4” at 1st and 29/32 at 8th frets
Martin scroll transfer
Brazilian Rosewood belly bridge
tapered X brace crosses 1 7/8” behind sound hole
small maple bridge plate
width of fingerboard at nut: 1 11/16
width of fingerboard at 12th fret: 2 3/32
lower bout: 15 5/8
waist: 10 3/4
top bout: 11 1/2
front side depth: 3 15/16
rear side depth: 4 3/4
height of strings at 12 fret (action): .110
relief (.02 at 8th fret measured with straight edge from 1st fret to 19th.)
saddle height: 3/64-1/8
Finish original, play wear fore and aft of pick guard and in center of back
Professional Pick guard crack repair