Let's start with the basics: This 1938 Martin D-18 is a dreadnought-shaped acoustic guitar with mahogany sides and back and a spruce top. The neck is a beefy V shape, but without too much of a point - it's very comfortable and takes kindly to every position on the neck. This guitar just received an incredible restoration by the one and only Bill Whitsett. He managed to preserve the essence of the guitar while adding some 100 years to its life span and making it play better than you can imagine. There was a crack in the top as well as a crack on treble side just under the pickguard. Bill fixed both of these carefully and effectively - it's difficult to detect any signs of either. The body was just refinished with Shellac sealer coat and McFadden's nitro lacquer finish. Shellac sealer would add about $2K to the price of a new custom built Dreadnought guitar. The ebony bridge and bone nut and saddle are all new and perfect hand carved replicas. The neck was just reset and refinished, and the frets have brand new, era correct "bull nose" ends. There was a Plexi pickguard installed when we got this guitar, but now it has a genuine Martin-style tortoiseshell. The tuners are the original Waverly style Grovers, and they're in excellent condition. They have just been repaired and lubricated. The face plate was left untouched during the restoration, so it has the original finish, dings, and Martin logo. The original Martin hardshell case is included as well. It's in fair cosmetic condition and has the name "Robert D. Freeman" written on it.
Weight: 4.30 lbs
Serial #: 70782
Overall Condition :
Incredible. Anyone looking to purchase one of these original Pre War dreadnoughts knows there is bound to be a hefty luthier bill to go along with it. Everything from the refret, neck reset, bridge lift, every crack and minute detail has been taken care of for you already and restored by one the best Martin certified luthiers on the East Coast. It's like buying a brand new guitar that already has a perfectly aged 60 year old top. The original old school scalloped braces are sturdy and strong and lend to the beautiful low end this guitar is famous for. If you close your eyes you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between this mahogany model and even a slightly more modern rosewood Dreadnought. There is no doubt that you are getting one the very best sounding and playing vintage guitars in the world.
To top it off Mr. Whitsett has included an exclusive digital photo album ( 117 photographs in all ) of the entire restoration for the next owner. We have included a few of the "before" pics in the listing to give you an idea of what this vintage beauty has been through. Enjoy!
Specs :
1938 Martin D-18
Restored by Bill Whitsett
Spruce Top
Mahogany Back and Sides
Mahogany Neck
V Neck Shape
Reset Neck
Ebony Fretboard
New Ebony Bridge w/ Bone Saddle
New Bone Nut
Dot Inlays
20 New Bull Nose Frets
Newly Refinished - Shellac Sealer Coat and McFadden's Nitro Lacquer Finish
Original Grover Tuners
New Authentic Martin-Style Tortoiseshell Pickguard
Weight 4.30 lbs
Original Hard Shell Case - Fair Cosmetic Condition
Serial # 70782
