More of a Good Thing: The Martin Super D-18
Martin just answered a question players have been asking for decades: what if a D-18 was… bigger? The new Super D-18 takes the legendary mahogany dreadnought platform and expands on it, literally. With 20% more internal air volume than its classic counterpart, this guitar is an absolute cannon, delivering thunderous low-end and a dynamic range that has to be played to be believed.
The core of its voice is pure Style 18, warm, woody, and articulate, but with an authority and projection that’s all its own. This isn’t just a loud guitar; it’s a responsive instrument that captures every nuance of your playing style, from a gentle fingerstyle passage to a full-force flatpicked strum. It’s the D-18 you know and love, just with a whole lot more to give.
Supersized Tone, Classic Feel
The heart of the Super D-18 is its tonewood combination: a solid Spruce top on genuine Mahogany back and sides. This classic pairing is known for its fundamental-rich voice and clear, direct punch. Martin enhances this with forward-shifted, scalloped Golden Era-style bracing, making the top incredibly responsive. The result is a guitar that blooms with harmonic complexity and sustains for days, offering a truly inspiring playing experience.
Unmistakably Martin
Despite its larger body, the Super D-18 feels surprisingly comfortable. The GE Modified Low Oval neck with its High-Performance Taper is a joy to play, offering a modern feel that’s fast and familiar. Classic appointments like the Old Style 18 rosette, faux tortoise pickguard, and nickel open-gear tuners maintain that timeless Martin aesthetic. It’s a bold evolution of an icon, built for the player who demands to be heard.
