C. F. Martin & Co / D-18 / 1943 / Guitar
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Martin D-18 1943 - one of the most outstanding guitars we ever came across ... a rare pre-war dreadnought with huge and bold sound. This cool guitar is just a few serial numbers far from the famous Elvis Presley D-18 which sold in auction for $1.32 million!
As you can already see from the pictures, this guitar is in a rough shape. It came to us in need of restoration and our luthier Domenico Pizzonia did a fantastic job in restoring it nicely. The guitar plays great and sounds amazing.
It has all the desired pre-war features: scalloped bracing, Adirondack spruce top, lightly built … the “holy grail” of acoustic guitars, to say the least!
We are proud that we’ve landed this beautiful Martin D-18 that comes to us from all the way back in 1943. As one of the original Dreadnoughts, the D-18 has captured the hearts of players since the early 1930s. From Elvis to David Crosby, the D-18 has been in the hands of legendary players for decades.
What can we say about the sound? … this really is the holy grail. We’ve never heard anything quite like it. Big, open, very proud … just incredibly good sounding. These guitars are also legendary for their dynamic, projection and sustain. This guitar is a prime example of that.
We have the original and beaten up case for this guitar, but can also deliver it in a newer Martin case - this decision we leave to the buyer.
This is the real vintage deal for a D-18 that’s seen miles of action, and is ready for a whole lot more.
Vintage Guitar World, Germany 
Vintage Guitar World was founded out of a deep passion for guitar playing and the lifelong search for truly special sound. For us, selling guitars is far more than a profession – it is a way of life. We love guitars, live music, and the stories that great instruments carry with them.
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