A great sounding and playing D-18 from the old North Street Factory, one that has survived with all its original finish and parts, and even its original hardshell case. While not a closet classic that's never been played, it's rare to find a 70-years old Martin Dreadnought that's had the work needed to be playable by contemporary standards, but almost nothing else has been done. In this case the pickguard was released and reglued (to prevent shrinkage cracks to the top), and a small crack to the back was repaired, but the only other work has been the neck reset and refret (all by Gryphon's Repair Dept) . If you want a reminder of why Martin's 1950s tapered-not-scalloped (top bracing) D-18s are revered by flatpickers, even a few simple strums on this example will give you an "oh, now I get it" moment. Clarity, balance, head-room, it's all there.
