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 treble that cuts and the familiar low-end thump we all love so much.
The D-18 StreetLegend uses Martin's ArtGuitar printing technology to replicate the unique character of one of the classic dreadnoughts in the Martin museum. Developed with Mimaki, the ArtGuitar technology allows Martin to digitally print lacquer in incredible detail. On the D-18 StreetLegend, the wear pattern is digitally printed into the satin lacquer finish. It is all lacquer, and the guitar remains otherwise pristine and perfect (no relic-ing or pre-distressing)—it is a brand new D-18 with a different vibe.
But to be fair, what's most interesting about this one is the source of the D-18 StreetLegend's unique wear pattern. In the Martin museum, you'll find a 1953 D-18 that was owned by Mary Lou Lord who famously let Kurt Cobain borrow it. According to the lore, Kurt loved the guitar and used it for songwriting. He called it "Grandpa." The D-18 StreetLegend replicates the unique wear pattern of that guitar. It certainly captures the vibe, but packaged as a brand new, pristine, fully-functional Martin dreadnought (with a lifetime warranty to boot!)
- Body: 14-Fret Dreadnought
- Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
- Top: Spruce
- Finish: Satin w/ ArtGuitar Top Pattern
- Back & Sides: Genuine Mahogany
- Bracing: GE-Scalloped Forward-Shifted X Brace, 5/16″
- Neck Profile: GE Modified Low Oval with High-Performance Taper
- Nut: 1-3/4″ Bone
- Saddle: Bone, 2-5/32″ spacing
- Fingerboard & Bridge: Solid Ebony (2025 Spec)
- Tuning Machines: Aged Nickel Open-gear with Butterbean knobs