This is a very cool Custom Shop take on Martin’s D-18. We set out to spec something that could hold its own alongside a banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and even dobro; but as it turns out, this isn’t just a great bluegrass flat-picking guitar. It sounds great for just about anything else as well. It features an Adirondack red spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides, delivering a sound that’s loud, punchy, balanced, and articulate. The neck is Martin’s GE Modified Low Oval with a Performance Taper (Now a Standard Series spec as of 2025) paired with a 1 3/4" nut width for a feel that’s modern and highly playable. A couple of visual features set this one apart. The top is bordered with a vibrant, multi-colored half-herringbone purfling, something you don’t often see from Martin these days. It’s also fitted with a Dalmatian-style pickguard, a nod to the iconic Martin dreadnought owned by Clarence White and Tony Rice. If you’re after a dynamic, versatile 18-style dreadnought, this one definitely checks a lot of boxes. It comes in an 18-style hardshell case.
