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Martin D-18 (043)

The iconic Spruce and Mahogany dreadnought, delivering legendary balanced tone, powerful projection, and modern playability.

$2,999.00

Same price at every authorized dealer. The difference is what comes with it.

0% for 36-48 months available

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4.8

Rated 4.8 out of 5

98% Recommend

557 reviews

1 In Stock - Inspected & ready to ship.

72-Hour Love-It Guarantee — Free returns

Inspected 3X Before Shipping

Free 1-4 Day Shipping

1 in stock

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Talk To A Player Before You Buy

Rob and Cory are gigging musicians who know gear inside and out. They'll give you the straight answer—even if it means pointing you somewhere else.

Quick Specs

Mahogany Body & Spruce Top | Gloss w/ Aging Toner
GE Modified Low Oval Profile | Ebony (16" Radius)
Acoustic (No Electronics)
25.4" Scale Length | 20 Frets
Forward-Shifted Scalloped X-Bracing

Player-Perfect™ Pro Setup Included

Our techs are all seasoned players, so they dial in every guitar like it’s going into their own rig—perfect intonation, action set exactly right, ready to rip from the first note.

Want it YOUR way? Tell us at checkout: string gauge, action height, whatever you need. We’ll nail it before shipping.

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Product Description

The Quintessential Workhorse Dreadnought

There are workhorse guitars, and then there’s the Martin D-18. It’s one of those iconic instruments that has defined genres—a foundational tool for everyone from bluegrass flatpickers to folk troubadours and studio aces. This particular D-18 carries that torch with pride, offering the perfect blend of vintage-inspired tone and modern playability that today’s players demand.

Tone That Breathes History

The magic starts with a classic pairing: a solid Spruce top and solid Mahogany back and sides. This combination delivers a sound that is powerful, direct, and beautifully balanced. You get a punchy midrange, clear, ringing trebles, and a warm, woody bass that doesn’t get muddy. Martin’s forward-shifted, scalloped X-bracing allows the top to vibrate more freely, resulting in a more open, resonant voice with incredible dynamic range—it whispers when you fingerpick and roars when you dig in with a flatpick.

Modern Feel, Timeless Vibe

While the tone is pure tradition, the feel is all about modern comfort. The neck features Martin’s GE Modified Low Oval profile with a High-Performance Taper, a mouthful that translates to a supremely comfortable playing experience for any style. The satin finish on the neck feels smooth and fast, never sticky, while the 1 3/4″ nut width provides ample spacing for complex chords and intricate single-note lines. It’s a neck you can play for hours without fatigue, whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or just on the couch.

Anatomy of a Tone Machine

Perfect for: Bluegrass • Folk • Singer-Songwriter • Country

Tone

Warm, woody, and direct with a strong fundamental focus from the mahogany body.
Clear, articulate highs and a powerful, punchy midrange thanks to the spruce top.
Responds instantly to your attack—from soft fingerstyle passages to aggressive flatpicking.
The forward-shifted scalloped bracing creates a huge, open voice with exceptional volume and bloom.

Playing Feel

The classic dreadnought body is a powerhouse, offering a commanding yet comfortable feel.
The GE Modified Low Oval neck with its High-Performance Taper is a modern player's dream—fast, comfortable, and effortless.
A satin neck finish provides a smooth, friction-free playing experience up and down the ebony fingerboard.
Perfectly Plek'd for flawless action and intonation right out of the hardshell case.

Versatility

The D-18 is a studio legend, known for recording beautifully and sitting perfectly in a mix.
Excels at flatpicking and traditional bluegrass runs, with the note separation needed for complex lines.
An ideal singer-songwriter tool, providing a full-spectrum rhythmic backbone that supports vocals perfectly.
Its dynamic range makes it suitable for everything from delicate folk to hard-strumming rock.

Complete Technical Specs

Body Specs

Type	Acoustic Dreadnought
Top Wood	Spruce
Body Wood	Mahogany
Finish	Gloss w/ Aging Toner Top
Color	Dark Mahogany
Bracing	Forward-Shifted, GE-Scalloped Spruce X-Brace
Binding	Black

Neck Specs

Wood	Select Hardwood
Profile	GE Modified Low Oval w/ High-Performance Taper
Finish	Satin

Fingerboard Specs

Material	Ebony
Radius	16"
Frets	20
Inlays	Old Style 18 Abalone Dots
Nut	Bone, 1 3/4"

Electronics Specs

Hardware Specs

Bridge	Ebony GE Modern Belly w/ Drop-in Compensated Bone Saddle
Tuners	Nickel Open Gear w/ Butterbean Knobs
Pickguard	Faux Tortoise

Measurements

Scale Length	25.4"
Nut Width	1 3/4"

The Lowdown

We get it. Buying a guitar you haven’t played is a big decision. You need to know it’s going to feel right, sound right, and inspire you the second you open the case. We put together the questions we’d be asking if we were in your shoes—the real-world stuff that specs alone can’t answer. If there’s anything else you’re wondering about, just give us a call.

Great question. Shifting the ‘X’ brace forward—closer to the soundhole—loosens up the top, allowing it to vibrate more freely. This translates to a more open, bass-rich tone with a quicker response and noticeably more volume. It’s a key ingredient to that classic, pre-war Martin boom.

Think of them as siblings with different personalities. The D-18’s mahogany back and sides give it a woody, direct, and fundamental-heavy tone that’s perfect for cutting through a mix. The D-28 uses rosewood, which has a more scooped-mid character with richer overtones and a deeper low-end rumble. The D-18 is often favored by flatpickers and engineers for its clarity, while the D-28 is loved for its lush, complex voice.

Of course. Every guitar gets our full Player-Perfect™ setup, but tell us your preferred string gauge and action at checkout, and we’ll dial it in exactly to your spec before it leaves the shop.

This guitar is covered by our 72-Hour Love-It Guarantee. If you’re not completely inspired by it, just let us know. We’ll make it right.

If you order before 3 PM CST on a weekday, it ships the same day. We’ll get it into your hands fast with free, insured 2-3 day shipping.

Call us at (888) 794-8482. You’ll talk to a real musician who can answer anything you need to know.

Player-Perfect™ Setups

Every guitar we sell is dialed in by seasoned musicians. We obsess over the details—perfect intonation, immaculate fretwork, and ideal action—so your guitar is ready to rip right out of the case. No exceptions.

Advice From Real Players

Call us and you get a fellow musician, not a script. We'll help you compare neck profiles, talk tone, and find the right guitar for you—even if it's not this one. Our reputation is built on honest conversation.

49+ Years Of Trust

Family-owned since 1976, we stand behind everything we sell. That's why we have a 72-Hour Love-It Guarantee. If you're not inspired, send it back on our dime for a full refund. Your satisfaction is our legacy.

BBB Accredited • Top 300 Reverb Seller • Fender Top Rated Dealer