Martin D-18 1955 CFM IV 70th Birthday Spruce/Mahogany Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar #1852

Built to honor the 70th birthday of C.F. Martin IV, this limited-run D-18 is a faithful nod to a mid-century classic with only 70 guitars made worldwide. It takes direct inspiration from a well-worn 1955 D-18 that once belonged to the Skip Maggiora collection, an instrument that captured decades of American music history in every strum. The body features solid mahogany back and sides paired with a unique reclaimed spruce top, salvaged from old-growth trees in Alaska. Some of this spruce was recovered from barge ramps, wind-felled forests, and deconstructed log bridges. Not only is it Martin’s first use of this sustainably sourced tonewood, but it also adds an unmistakable richness and maturity to the voice of the guitar. The printed top detailing recreates the look of that original 1955 model while maintaining the responsiveness and tonal balance players expect from a D-18. This model features a traditional dovetail neck joint, rear-shifted non-scalloped Sitka X-bracing, and a 25.4-inch scale for classic Martin punch and projection. The satin-finished neck has the Golden Era Modified Low Oval shape with a standard taper, offering smooth comfort across the rosewood fingerboard. Vintage-style Waffleback tuners, 1955 Style 18 dot inlays, and a faux tortoise pickguard round out the classic aesthetic. Each guitar is hand-signed by Chris Martin IV and comes in a hardshell case, numbered with a commemorative label. This D-18 captures the soul of a historic era with premium tonewoods and craftsmanship that live up to the Martin legacy. It’s an heirloom instrument built for players, collectors, and anyone who appreciates the lasting sound of a true vintage-style dreadnought.

SPECS
-Overview-
Body Size: D-14 Fret
Finish Top: Gloss
Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint
Back and Side Finish: Gloss
Bracing Pattern: X-Brace
Scale Length: 25.4"
Brace Shape: Non-Scalloped
Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 11/16''
Top Material: Reclaimed Spruce
Neck Shape: GE-Modified Low Oval
Back Material: Mahogany
Neck Taper: Standard Taper
Side Material: Mahogany
Electronics: No

-Top-
Top Color: Aged
Bridge Style: GE-Modern Belly- Drop in Long Saddle
Binding: Brown Faux Tortoise
Bridge String Spacing: 2 1/8''
Top Inlay Material: Multi-Stripe
Bridge Material: FSC® Certified Rosewood
Top Detail: Custom Ink
Bridge Pin Material: Ebony
Pickguard: Faux Tortoise
Bridge Pin Dots: None
Pickguard Inlay: None
Saddle: Bone
Rosette: Old Style 18 Multi-Stripe
Saddle Radius: 16"

-Body-
Brace Material: Sitka Spruce
Back and Sides Color: Dark Mahogany
Brace Size: 5/16"
Back Detail: None
Back Purfling/Strip: Style 18 Madagascar Rosewood
Back Inlay Material: None
Heelcap: East Indian Rosewood
Side Detail: None
Endpiece: Brown Faux Tortoise
Side Inlay Material: None
Endpiece Inlay: None

-Neck-
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Fingerboard Material: FSC® Certified Rosewood
Finish Neck: Satin
Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8''
Neck Color: Dark Mahogany
Fingerboard Inlay Style: 1955 Style 18 Dots
Number of Frets Total: 20
Fingerboard Inlay Material: Mother of Pearl
Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
Fingerboard Binding Material: None
Side Dots: White

-Headstock-
Headstock Shape: Solid with Square Taper and 1950s Rounded Corners
Tuning Machines: Vintage-style Kluson® Waffleback® Nickel Tuners
Headplate Material: East Indian Rosewood
Knob: Oval
Headplate Logo Style: Authentic Style Script Overlay
Nut Material: Bone
Headplate Binding Material: None

-Misc-
Case: Hardshell
Label: Paper Embossed w/Model Name and CFM IV Signature, Numbered in Sequence w/Total, 1 of 70, 2 of, etc.
Pleked: True


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