No guitar demonstrates the sweet, classic "Martin Sound" quite like a good D-18. Since 1934, the 14-fret D-18 has been Martin's flagship mahogany dreadnought. Its voice is powerful and well-balanced with punchy mid-range, treble that cuts, and the familiar low-end thump we all love so much. Known as a tried-and-true workhorse, the D-18 delivers the bold dreadnought tone that has shaped countless performances and recordings.
The modern Standard Series D-18 features the iconic 14-fret dreadnought body built with a solid Spruce top and solid Mahogany back, sides, and neck. The result is a fat, powerful, and cutting tone that is rich in woody mahogany character. Like the models of the ’30s, it is set up with a 1-3/4″ nut width and a 25.4″ scale length. To keep everything in tune, the D-18 sports open-back Grover tuning machines that have a precise 18:1 gear ratio.
Refreshed for 2025 with Golden Era specs to enhance tone, comfort, and style, the D-18 now has the same GE Scalloped Spruce top bracing you find on the Modern Deluxe Series. Forward-shifted just like in the Golden Era, the bracing helps the model consistently deliver vintage-inspired tone and sustain. Updates like a Golden Era Modified Low Oval neck profile, thinner fingerboard, and refined bridge and heel improve playability and aesthetics.
- Top: Solid Spruce
- Back & Sides: Mahogany
- Bracing: Forward-Shifted, GE-Scalloped 5/16" X-Bracing (New for 2025)
- Nut: Bone, 1-3/4"
- Neck Profile: Golden Era Modified Low Profile w/ High Performance Taper (New for 2025)
- Fingerboard & Bridge: Solid Ebony
- Saddle: Compensated Bone, 2-5/32" string spacing
- Top Inlay Material: Bold Herringbone
- Tuning Machines: Open-Gear Grover w/ Butterbean buttons