Vintage Tone and Modern Playability
Here at Wildwood Guitars, we are obsessed with guitars that give players the best of both worlds. We love vintage-inspired tone, but we also love guitars with convenient features that make life easier for the discerning modern player. Whenever we find an instrument that does both, we get giddy with excitement. So, we were delighted when we found out about Martin's Modern Deluxe series.
The Essence of Old Sound
Martin's Modern Deluxe series marries vintage tone and modern playability to spectacular ends. How does one achieve vintage sound in a new acoustic guitar? Well, the top and braces each receive Martin's famed Vintage Tone System treatment (VTS). Basically, Martin used advanced biological analysis to examine the cell structure of old Martin guitars, then figured out how to mimic that chemical composition in new wood. They achieve this by subjecting the wood to high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment. The resulting aged wood does an amazing job of emulating the woody, warm tone of a vintage Martin.
Modern Magic
Though these guitars certainly have vintage tone in spades, every other feature is designed to optimize the playing experience. The brand-new Vintage Deluxe neck profile has a slightly asymmetrical shape that fits in your hand perfectly all the way up and down the neck. Speaking of new stuff, the carbon fiber bridge plate gives you extra volume and projecting power without adding any extra weight that would dampen the top's resonance. Lighter is always better, so Martin used a titanium truss rod, which also helps out the guitar's sustain and resonance. And, Martin has replaced the typical wooden bridge pins with Liquidmetal pins, which are lighter and promote greater energy transfer. It all adds up to a louder, more resonant acoustic that plays like an absolute dream.
Looks That Kill
We would be remiss if we didn't also mention that these guitars look
extremely cool. They come equipped with stylin' gold frets, gold open-gear tuners with butterbean knobs, and a sweet 1930s-style pearl script logo on the headstock. The European flamed maple binding is just the icing on the cake.
Something Old, Something New
We're proud to present such a stylish guitar for our exceptional customers. We believe it captures the essence of classic Martin tone, then supercharges it with modern design advancements. And, of course, the feel is buttery as can be. We invite you to take one of these glorious Modern Deluxes for a spin and experience the delightful fusion of old and new. Once you do, we're sure you'll be hooked for good.
- Model: Modern Deluxe D-18
- Type: D-14 Fret
- Top Wood: Solid Sitka Spruce with VTS
- Top Finish: Gloss
- Bracing: Scalloped 5/16" Adirondack Spruce Forward-Shifted X-Brace with VTS
- Back & Sides Wood: Solid Mahogany
- Back & Sides Finish: Gloss
- Binding : East Indian Rosewod
- Neck Joint: Dovetail
- Neck Shape: Vintage Deluxe w/High Performance Taper
- Neck Dimensions: .810 1st - .890 9th
- Fretboard Material: Ebony
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- Width at Nut: 1 3/4"
- Saddle Spacing: 2 5/32"
- Nut Material: Bone
- Rosette: Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe
- Tuners: Gold Open Gear Butterbean
- Bridge: Ebony Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
- Saddle: 16'' Radius/Compensated/Bone
- Case: Ply Hardshell Case
