1968 Martin D-18S 12-Fret Acoustic Guitar – Used

Here’s a clean 12-fret D-18 from the late ‘60s, with a crisp clear tone. These guitars often have more bass response than you hear from the usual 14-fret versions, due to the longer body and larger internal volume. The 12-fret models have their bridge in a different place on the top, allowing more flexibility of the top and giving it a bigger, bassier sound. Later Martin 12-fret dreadnoughts from the 1970s can sound a bit tubby, usually because of the large rosewood bridge plate they used at that time.

This D-18S from 1968 is from the transitional period when Martin was using Brazilian rosewood for the bridge plate, but it was the same size as the earlier maple bridge plates (smaller and lighter than the rosewood bridge plates used on later S models). The pickguard has been replaced with a period-correct version. The top has a bit of play wear, and there is some light vinyl strap scars, and some jean rivet/shirt button indentations in the back, but considering the age of the instrument, it is very clean. String action is 3/32″ at the 12th fret with medium gauge strings, and saddle is low. If you want a D-18S with low action, this one sounds great and plays very easily, and the neck isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Many finger-style players love these wider necks, and with light gauge it plays even easier. Thanks to the long scale and larger body, these S models deliver a lot of volume with lights, like you’d use on an OM. It comes with a replacement hardshell case.