Martin D-18 Review: An Acoustic That Stands the Test of Time

Body And Neck:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:

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Martin is one of the most famous acoustic guitar manufacturers in the world, with a legacy stretching back over 180 years. They're particularly regarded for their dreadnought acoustic guitars, which have grown to become some of the company's most popular models.

Martin actually invented the dreadnought shape — so it's no surprise they're so great at making these guitars! Out of all their dreadnought models, the D-18 is one of the most popular. It was among the very first dreadnought guitars the company produced, and its classic sound and styling continue to appeal to players today.

Let's get into the details of this guitar — we're confident you'll agree that it's one of the best acoustic guitars that you'll find anywhere.

Body and Neck

Unlike many of the other dreadnought models in Martin's line, the D-18 features a combination of spruce and mahogany. The top is made from solid Sitka spruce, with the back and sides using the solid mahogany. This tonewood combination gives the D-18 a more focused, responsive bass when compared with the booming lower register of the D-28 and D-35.

The D-18 features a one-piece hardwood neck, which is carved in Martin's new shallow “low profile” shape. It's a flatter neck that's comfortable to grip in a wide variety of situations — the D-18 is a great choice for players with smaller or weaker hands. The fingerboard is made of ebony, with 20 frets in total.

Martin's D-18 offers a slightly wider nut than the D-28 and D-35: this model is 1 3/4″ wide, while the others are 1 11/16″ instead. The extra space is great for players with larger fingers or for those who simply prefer the extra space to maneuver.

Hardware

Aside from the tonewood difference, the D-18's biggest distinguishing feature is actually under the hood. The internal bracing in this model is shifted forward — the different positioning (along with the scalloped shape) allows for the soundboard to vibrate more. That, in turn, increases volume and projection.

The D-18's ebony bridge is a thicker “belly” style reminiscent of vintage models; it's constructed from ebony to pair with the neck. The saddle and nut are both made of genuine bone. Classic “butterbean” nickel-coated open-gear tuners round out the understated look.

As far as style goes, the D-18 utilizes faux tortoiseshell binding to pair with the pickguard. The body is finished with glossy nitrocellulose lacquer — a material preferred by guitarists for its superior breathability — while the neck offers a satin finish for greater playability.

Sound

Judging the sound of acoustic guitars requires close attention to detail — unlike electric guitars (particularly solid-body models), tonewoods play an immense role in shaping the sound of acoustic instruments. That is particularly true of the D-18.

The mahogany back and sides create a more focused, responsive low end. Meanwhile, middle and treble frequencies are articulate and bright. The differences between this and other D-series models are noticeable. Where the others offer slightly more overall bass response without as much presence (great for playing rhythm), the D-18's crisp, controlled range excels at lead parts.

The thinner bracing under the top also makes the D-18 a great axe for players who prefer lighter-gauge strings. They allow the soundboard to resonate and provide all of the volume and projection dreadnought guitars are known for with pristine articulation and snap. Without the extra wood to support it, the top may struggle to handle exceptionally heavy strings.

This guitar is a lifetime-level instrument; it can adapt easily to pretty much any style of playing. With that being said, though, it sounds exceptional for fingerpicking, bluegrass, and solo note runs.

Conclusion

Though the D-18 was one of Martin's first dreadnought guitars, this model is anything but old and stuffy. The D-18 offers exceptionally crisp and clear tones with more than enough volume and resonance for most situations. It would make a great addition to any player's collection.

Martin's historic model offers great balance and focus along with refined classic styling.

Martin's D-18 offers a fresh spin on a vintage classic. Its crisp and focused range makes this one of the best production acoustics around.