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Martin DE Retro Plus Mahogany (498)

A classic mahogany dreadnought powerhouse, supercharged with Fishman Aura electronics for authentic, studio-mic'd tone on any stage.

$1,899.00

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.

14-Day Sound Check Guarantee

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

Solid Sitka Spruce Top | Solid Mahogany Back & Sides
Modified Low Oval Profile | Ebony Fingerboard
Fishman F1 Aura Plus Electronics
4.6 lbs | 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

Vintage Soul, Modern Powerhouse

This isn’t just a dreadnought—it’s a time machine with a pickup. The Martin D-18E Retro Plus delivers the iconic, woody warmth of a classic mahogany dreadnought, the kind of tone that’s powered a half-century of folk, rock, and bluegrass. But this is no museum piece. It’s built for the modern player, blending that legendary acoustic voice with a revolutionary electronics system that puts the sound of a perfectly mic’d vintage Martin directly at your fingertips.

Classic Tone Woods & Construction

The foundation of the D-18E Retro is pure Martin tradition. A solid Sitka Spruce top provides the articulation and dynamic headroom, while solid Mahogany back and sides deliver that sought-after dry, punchy midrange and fundamental focus. The forward-shifted, scalloped X-bracing allows the top to breathe and resonate freely, creating a cannon of a guitar that’s incredibly responsive to your picking dynamics. It’s got that classic Martin boom, but with a clarity that records beautifully.

Stage-Ready Electronics

Here’s where the “Retro” magic kicks in. This D-18E is loaded with a Fishman F1 Aura Plus electronics system. This isn’t your average piezo. Fishman has expertly captured images of priceless, vintage Martins with high-end studio mics. You can blend these stunning mic tones with the undersaddle pickup, giving you an unbelievably authentic and inspiring plugged-in sound that’s free of harshness. It’s like having your own personal sound engineer on every gig.

Modern Playability

Martin knows that a great-sounding guitar has to feel great, too. That’s why they’ve spec’d this D-18E with their modern High Performance Neck, featuring a Modified Low Oval profile. It’s a comfortable, fast-playing neck that feels instantly familiar, whether you’re chording down low or bending up high. It’s the perfect marriage of vintage tone and modern, buttery playability.

Anatomy of a Tone Machine

Perfect for: Singer-Songwriter • Bluegrass • Folk • Studio Recording

Tone

Acoustically delivers a dry, woody, and powerful dreadnought voice with strong fundamentals.
Plugged-in tones are incredibly realistic, offering studio-mic'd sound imaging.
Punchy midrange from the mahogany body cuts through a mix without getting muddy.
Highly dynamic and responsive to both delicate fingerpicking and aggressive strumming.

Playing Feel

Lightweight and well-balanced for a dreadnought, making it comfortable for long sets.
The Modified Low Oval neck with a High Performance Taper is fast, comfortable, and modern-feeling.
Responds instantly to the player's attack with a satisfying bloom to the notes.
Effortless playability up and down the neck encourages both complex chording and lead lines.

Versatility

Excels at everything from intimate acoustic sets to full-band electric gigs.
The advanced electronics make it incredibly pedal-friendly, especially with EQ and subtle reverb.
An absolute dream for recording, offering both a classic acoustic sound and a perfect direct signal.
Sits perfectly in a mix, providing warmth and clarity without fighting for space.

Complete Technical Specs

Body Specs

Type	Acoustic-Electric Dreadnought
Top Wood	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides Wood	Solid Genuine Mahogany
Bracing	Forward Shifted, Scalloped Sitka Spruce X-Bracing
Binding	Faux Tortoise
Finish	Polished Gloss w/ Aging Toner Top
Weight	4.6 lbs (approx)

Neck Specs

Wood	Select Hardwood
Profile	Modified Low Oval w/ High Performance Taper
Construction	Dovetail Neck Joint
Finish	Satin

Fingerboard Specs

Material	Ebony
Radius	16"
Frets	20
Inlays	Old Style 18 Dots
Nut	Bone, 1.75"

Electronics Specs

Pickup System	Fishman F1 Aura Plus
Controls	Onboard Preamp with Tuner, Volume, EQ, and Mic Imaging Blend

Hardware Specs

Bridge	1930s Style Ebony Belly w/ Drop-In Saddle
Saddle	Compensated White Tusq
Tuners	Nickel Open Gear w/ Butterbean Knobs
Pickguard	Delmar Tortoise Color

Measurements

Scale Length	25.4"
Nut Width	1.75"
Weight	4.6 lbs

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.

It’s a game-changer. Instead of just a typical under-saddle pickup sound, the F1 Aura Plus blends in studio-quality microphone emulations. These ‘images’ were created from priceless vintage Martin guitars in a world-class studio, so when you plug in, you get the rich, complex, and airy tone of a perfectly mic’d acoustic, not that dreaded ‘quack’ you get from lesser systems.

Acoustically, it delivers that same legendary D-18 tone—warm, punchy, and loud. The big difference is the modern playability from the High Performance Neck and, of course, the incredibly powerful Fishman electronics. It’s built for the player who needs that classic tone to translate flawlessly to the stage or studio.

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 14-Day Return Policy. 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