Martin D-18 Authentic 1939 VTS Aged

The Martin D-18 Authentic 1939 VTS Aged is one of the most sought-after reissue guitars from the Martin Custom Shop – built in the style of the legendary pre-war dreadnoughts. Inspired by the original D-18 guitars from 1939, it combines historic construction with state-of-the-art manufacturing. Characteristic features include the traditional hot-glue dovetail neck joint, hand-carved authentic-style X-bracing and an exact replica 1939 neck profile.

The solid Adirondack spruce top was aged in the in-house Vintage Tone System (VTS), which gives it the open, recorded sound character of an old Martin even when new. In combination with genuine mahogany back and sides, it delivers the typical D-18 sound: dry, powerful basses, warm mids and crystal-clear trebles. This makes the Martin D-18 Authentic 1939 VTS Aged one of the most impressive pre-war replicas that Martin has ever built.

A special highlight is the factory-applied aged finish, which gives it an authentic vintage patina. Fine hairline cracks, subtle traces of use and aged hardware create the perfect illusion of an original from the 1930s – visually a classic, without the decades of actual use.

The Martin D-18 Authentic 1939 VTS Aged has an impressive sound with a powerful, dynamic tone that is particularly strong for flatpicking, but is also ideal for fingerstyle. The slim Authentic 1939 neck profile with standard taper offers maximum playing comfort.

The condition of this guitar is – apart from factory aging – as good as new. It was built in 2022, comes in the original Martin hardshell case with all hangtags and is equipped with an LR Baggs Lyric pickup.

Specifications
Year of construction: 2022
Model: D-18 Authentic 1939 VTS Aged
Scale length: 25.4″ (approx. 645 mm)
Nut width: 1 11/16″ (approx. 43 mm)
Width at the 12th fret: 2 1/8″ (approx. 54 mm)
Construction method: Dovetail Neck Joint – Hide Glue Construction
Body size: D-14 Fret
Top: Adirondack spruce with VTS
Cover detail: Aged
Rosette: Multi-Stripe
Bracing: Authentic 1939 Rearward Shifted X Brace
Bracing shape: Scalloped
Bracing material: Adirondack spruce with VTS
Bracing size: 5/16″ (approx. 7.9 mm)
Back: Genuine mahogany, aged
Bottom strip: Madagascar Rosewood
Frames: Genuine mahogany, aged
Binding: Faux Tortoise
Neck: Genuine mahogany
Neck profile: Authentic 1939
Taper: Standard Taper
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Ebony (Authentic Belly – Long Saddle – Aged)
Bridge inlay: bone
Machine heads: Nickel Open Gear – Aged
Pickguard: Faux Tortoise – Aged
Bridge Pins: Black Plastic – Aged
Inlay style: Old Style 18 (Abalone)
Case: Original Martin Hardshell Case
Pickup: LR Baggs Lyric

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