1943 C. F. Martin D-18 Natural OHSC
Description
SN 83588. Light as a potato chip, this 1943 Martin D-18 was built in the heart of WWII when steel was being prioritized for the war effort but Martin’s supply of tone woods was still second to none. At just 3.5 lbs., this may be the lightest dreadnought I’ve ever had in the shop. It features an Adirondack spruce top, mahogany back and sides, ebony bridge and fingerboard, ebony neck reinforcement, and original “Yoda-head” tuners (with replica buttons). A recent neck reset, along with a new bridge, nut, and saddle, has it playing effortlessly. Tonally, it’s responsive and airy, with an open, woody voice. The original case is included.
The current owner purchased the guitar in Los Angeles more than 60 years ago. Prior to that sale, the guitar was over-sprayed and some top braces were reglued—work that appears to date to the 1950s. Regardless, the top is stable and well behaved, with no bellying or pulling, and the color of the wood has aged to the warm patina of an original finish. There is playwear through the over-spray and the original finish checking is clearly showing. There is a tightly repaired dryness crack in the top and another in the back, a couple of case bites on the top, and buckle wear. It’s hard to know why the guitar was over-sprayed—perhaps the oft-repeated story of Martin “spritzing them up” during warranty work applies here.
The owner recalls the guitar being played regularly in folk circles among family and friends during the 1960s and ’70s, after which it spent much of its life in the case. It was likely the best guitar in that song circle—and it still shows why. The over-spray has done nothing to dampen the sound. With light strings it rings and sings; with mediums, it could easily be a bluegrass monster. It’s a handsome, great-sounding, and wonderfully playable wartime D-18.
The case is the purple felt-lined, three-buckle wartime hardshell, likely by Harptone. The felt, tolex, and string box are all in excellent shape. The edges are lined with neatly applied duct tape; given how nice the rest of the case is, I suspect whatever the tape is hiding could be addressed by the next caretaker. Inside is a medallion reading "Shubert House of Music, Cleveland." All told, it’s a sweet, honest package with all the appeal and musical authority of a classic wartime Martin.
ON CONSIGNMENT
SPECS:
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Tortoise celluloid binding & pickguard, dot position markers
Nut width: 1-11/16
String spacing: 2-1/8”
Body width: 15-5/8”
Depth: 4-7/8”
Scale length: 25.4”
Case: OHSC
The current owner purchased the guitar in Los Angeles more than 60 years ago. Prior to that sale, the guitar was over-sprayed and some top braces were reglued—work that appears to date to the 1950s. Regardless, the top is stable and well behaved, with no bellying or pulling, and the color of the wood has aged to the warm patina of an original finish. There is playwear through the over-spray and the original finish checking is clearly showing. There is a tightly repaired dryness crack in the top and another in the back, a couple of case bites on the top, and buckle wear. It’s hard to know why the guitar was over-sprayed—perhaps the oft-repeated story of Martin “spritzing them up” during warranty work applies here.
The owner recalls the guitar being played regularly in folk circles among family and friends during the 1960s and ’70s, after which it spent much of its life in the case. It was likely the best guitar in that song circle—and it still shows why. The over-spray has done nothing to dampen the sound. With light strings it rings and sings; with mediums, it could easily be a bluegrass monster. It’s a handsome, great-sounding, and wonderfully playable wartime D-18.
The case is the purple felt-lined, three-buckle wartime hardshell, likely by Harptone. The felt, tolex, and string box are all in excellent shape. The edges are lined with neatly applied duct tape; given how nice the rest of the case is, I suspect whatever the tape is hiding could be addressed by the next caretaker. Inside is a medallion reading "Shubert House of Music, Cleveland." All told, it’s a sweet, honest package with all the appeal and musical authority of a classic wartime Martin.
ON CONSIGNMENT
SPECS:
Top: Adirondack Spruce
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Tortoise celluloid binding & pickguard, dot position markers
Nut width: 1-11/16
String spacing: 2-1/8”
Body width: 15-5/8”
Depth: 4-7/8”
Scale length: 25.4”
Case: OHSC