It’s all about the tone, right? Well, this one has it in spades! Not only is it a cannon volume-wise but the tone and balance are spectacular. I've played dozens of vintage d-18's over the years and this one in exceptional. Bright jangly highs and solid Lows with a perfect overall tone balance. If you’re near the San Francisco Bay area I strongly recommend you contact me and make an appointment to try this out in person.

This 70 year old Martin is in great shape and crack free! It has mahogany back, sides, neck & a wide grain spruce top. I don't THINK this is Adirondack Spruce but it's possible. From Matin historian and author Grieg Hutton:

"We know that Martin bought "Vermont" [Adirondack] spruce several times between late 1949 and 1952. To these dates must be added some seasoning time. Mostly this wood seems to have been used in 1953 but some might have been used in 1952 or 1954"

Either way it def has the wide grain common to Adi which may account for its exceptional tone.

There is PLENTY of honest play wear. Lots of scuffs, scrapes and scratches but not enough to look "ugly". It is serial number 137750 and was stamped on June 22, 1954 and cleared final inspection on September 7 that year.

IMO it does not do appear to have been over sprayed at any time. It has great action and plenty of fret life. The only cosmetic issue is that there is a square patch where it appears a hole was repaired on the bottom side. (I wonder if some 60s rocker had installed a pick up and put a jack in right there???) Either way it’s been professionally patched and repaired long ago, and it’s hardly even noticeable. I took some very clear photos and brightened them up so you can see exactly what it is. Not an issue at all with sound or playability.

This was inspected by Gyphon stringed instruments in Palo Alto California and according to them it look like the original bridge. Also, it’s likely that the neck was reset at one time but is not in need of one now. Has the full 1 & 11/16" neck w/ great action. Comes w/ a decent non-original hard case.

I can email you an MP3 with sound test and a link to hi res close up pics 

Will consider any reasonable offer. If u r in SF bay area I may consider trade towards a 1964 or earlier Martin d-28

At this time I CANNOT TAKE PAYPAL. Please use the Reverb payment system. Listed at $180 shipping but I will only charge actual shipping cost and refund the rest. 3 day return: buyer pays shipping both ways plus 7% re-stocking fee.