Classic Vintage Voice Refined with Modern High-Tech Precision
The Guitar Sanctuary is proud to offer the Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe Mahogany Dreadnought. Designed for players who demand the dry, punchy vintage character of a pre-war 14-fret dreadnought combined with modern ultra-lightweight structural engineering, this instrument pushes acoustic performance into a new class.
Sanctuary Expert Note: "The Modern Deluxe series is a revelation for flatpickers and acoustic purists. By combining a VTS torrefied top with a carbon fiber bridge plate and Liquidmetal pins, Martin gave this D-18 noticeable volume gains and immediate, broken-in vintage warmth without sacrificing the fundamental clarity mahogany is famous for."
Product Intelligence Matrix
- Category / Sub-Type: Premium Acoustic Dreadnought / Modern Vintage Hybrid
- Tone Profile: Dry, Woody, Extremely Articulate, High Volume with Warm Fundamental Lows
- Best For: Bluegrass Flatpicking, Acoustic Lead Work, Studio Tracking, Americana, Rhythm Strumming
- Compared To: Martin Standard D-18, Collings D1 A, Bourgeois Country Boy, Santa Cruz D Pre-War
- Structural Innovations: Titanium Truss Rod, Carbon Fiber Bridge Plate, Liquidmetal Bridge Pins
- Made In: Nazareth, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Architectural Features
- VTS Torrefied Top: Solid Sitka spruce treated with Martin's Vintage Tone System (VTS) aging process to replicate the tonal resonance and visual character of a decades-old vintage top.
- Advanced Bridge Technology: Utilizes a composite carbon fiber bridge plate to increase top resonance without adding mass, paired with dark red dot Liquidmetal bridge pins that boost overall acoustic volume and sustain.
- Ultra-Lightweight Neck Engineering: A custom two-way titanium truss rod reduces neck mass by nearly 64% compared to traditional steel rods, drastically improving instrument balance and acoustic transfer.
- Vintage Deluxe Neck Profile: Features a slightly asymmetrical, vintage-inspired neck shape carved for maximum hand comfort up and down the genuine mahogany neck.
- Boutique Aesthetics: Elegantly appointed with European flamed maple binding, gold open-gear tuners, gold fretwire, and a stylized script headstock logo inlaid in pearl.
Technical Specifications
- Body Size: D-14 Fret Dreadnought
- Top Wood: Solid Sitka Spruce with VTS (Vintage Tone System)
- Back & Sides Wood: Solid Genuine Mahogany
- Bracing Pattern: Forward-Shifted Scalloped X-Brace (5/16" Adironack Spruce / VTS)
- Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint with Natural Protein Glue
- Binding: European Flamed Maple
- Neck Shape: Vintage Deluxe with High-Performance Taper
- Nut & Saddle Material: Bone Nut / Compensated Bone Saddle
- Nut Width: 1-3/4" (44.4 mm)
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- Fingerboard & Bridge: Solid Ebony
- Bridge Pins: Liquidmetal with Dark Red Acrylic Dots
- Included Case: Martin Deluxe Hardshell Case
Photos are of one from our inventory, individual color and grain will vary from guitar to guitar.
FINISH TOP: Gloss
CONSTRUCTION: Dovetail Neck Joint
BACK & SIDE FINISH: Gloss
BRACING PATTERN: Forward-Shifted X-Brace
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4"
BRACE SHAPE: Scalloped
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 3/4''
TOP MATERIAL: Sitka Spruce with VTS
NECK SHAPE: Vintage Deluxe
BACK MATERIAL: Genuine Mahogany
NECK TAPER: High-Performance Taper
SIDE MATERIAL: Genuine Mahogany
ELECTRONICS: Optional
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 Medium - 92/8 Phosphor Bronze MA550T
BRIDGE STYLE: Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
BINDING: East Indian Rosewood
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2 5/32"
TOP INLAY MATERIAL: Multi-Stripe
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Ebony
TOP DETAIL: None
BRIDGE PIN MATERIAL: Liquidmetal®
PICKGUARD: Faux Tortoise
BRIDGE PIN DOTS: Red Acrylic
PICKGUARD INLAY: None
SADDLE: Compensated Bone
ROSETTE: Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe
SADDLE RADIUS: 16"
BRACE MATERIAL: Adirondack Spruce with VTS
BACK & SIDES COLOR: Dark Mahogany
BRACE SIZE: 5/16"
BACK DETAIL: None
BACK PURFLING/STRIP: Style 18
BACK INLAY MATERIAL: None
HEELCAP: East Indian Rosewood
SIDE DETAIL: None
ENDPIECE: East Indian Rosewood
SIDE INLAY MATERIAL: None
ENDPIECE INLAY: None
NECK MATERIAL: Genuine Mahogany
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Ebony
FINISH NECK: Satin
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2 1/8''
NECK COLOR: Dark Mahogany
FINGERBOARD INLAY STYLE: Old Style 18
NUMBER OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
FINGERBOARD INLAY MATERIAL: Abalone
NECK JOINS BODY AT: 14th Fret
FINGERBOARD BINDING MATERIAL: None
SIDE DOTS: Abalone
HEADSTOCK SHAPE: Solid with Square Taper
TUNING MACHINES: Gold Open Gear
HEADPLATE MATERIAL: East Indian Rosewood
KNOB: Butterbean
HEADPLATE LOGO STYLE: Stylized Script Inlay
NUT MATERIAL: Bone
HEADPLATE BINDING MATERIAL: None
LEFT HANDED AVAILABILITY: Yes
LABEL: None
PLEKED: Yes
We are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am until 6pm CDT.
Any order placed before 3pm CDT Tuesday through Saturday is processed for shipment the same day. Orders placed Sunday-Monday will be processed for shipment the following Tuesday.
For Free Shipping items, Effects pedals and small goods items are generally shipped via USPS Priority Mail, and Guitars and Amplifiers are generally shipped via UPS Ground.
Due to our central location in the middle of the US, most orders will be delivered within 1-3 days delivery time.
Other shipping methods are available (at an additional cost), including next day air.
Please call us directly at (972)540-6420 if you have any questions regarding shipping for your order.
