Custom Shop Build Overview
The Martin Custom Shop D-18 Style Adirondack RW Binding is a powerful, vintage-inspired dreadnought that pairs classic mahogany tone with premium hand-selected materials and subtle custom upgrades.
This Custom Shop build features a hand-selected Adirondack spruce top chosen at the Martin Factory in March 2025, paired with mahogany back and sides for a focused, dry, and articulate tonal foundation. Adirondack spruce is known for its strength and headroom, giving this guitar exceptional projection and dynamic range.
Finished with understated Style 18 appointments and upgraded Indian rosewood binding, this guitar blends traditional Martin aesthetics with refined Custom Shop detail.
Why Adirondack on a D-18 Matters
Adirondack spruce brings out the full potential of a mahogany dreadnought by increasing responsiveness, clarity, and headroom.
- Greater dynamic range for aggressive flatpicking
- Strong fundamental note clarity
- Excellent projection with added headroom
- Responsive feel that improves as the guitar opens up
Combined with mahogany, the result is a guitar that delivers a dry, woody tone with exceptional articulation and punch.
Custom Shop Craftsmanship
Handcrafted in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, this Custom Shop instrument features Martin’s traditional dovetail neck joint and solid tonewood construction to maximize resonance and long-term stability.
The forward-shifted Adirondack Golden Era scalloped bracing allows the top to move more freely, enhancing both bass response and overall responsiveness.
The addition of rosewood binding and Select Abalone Style 18 inlays adds a subtle layer of visual refinement while preserving the clean, classic Style 18 look.
Tone & Performance
The D-18 platform is known for its clarity, punch, and strong midrange presence. In this Custom Shop build, the Adirondack top adds power and headroom, creating a dreadnought that responds equally well to heavy attack and controlled playing.
- Dry, woody midrange with strong fundamentals
- Clear note separation even under heavy strumming
- Tight, controlled low end with excellent projection
- Responsive top that will continue to open up over time
This makes the guitar an ideal choice for flatpickers, singer-songwriters, and players looking for a powerful yet articulate dreadnought.
Why This Guitar Stands Out
- Martin Custom Shop D-18 Style build
- Hand-selected Adirondack spruce top (factory selected)
- Forward-shifted Golden Era Adirondack bracing
- Indian rosewood binding upgrade
- Classic mahogany dreadnought tone with added headroom
- Handcrafted in Nazareth, Pennsylvania
- Brand new with full Martin Lifetime Warranty
Serial Number: 2978812
Professionally inspected and ready to ship.
Specifications
- Construction: Mahogany Blocks / Dovetail Neck Joint
- Body Size: Dreadnought
- Top: Hand Select Adirondack Spruce
- Bracing: Forward Shifted X – Adirondack 5/16" Golden Era Scalloped
- Back & Sides: Mahogany
- Binding: Indian Rosewood
- Neck: Genuine Mahogany – GE Modified Low Oval
- Fingerboard & Bridge: Ebony
- Nut Width: 1 3/4"
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- Bridge Spacing: 2 5/32"
- Nut & Saddle: Bone
- Fingerboard Inlays: Old Style 18 Select Abalone
- Bridge Style: GE Belly w/ Long Drop-In Saddle
- Tuning Machines: Grover Chrome
- Bridge & End Pins: Black
- Pickguard: Tortoise
- Finish: Gloss Body / Satin Neck
- Case: Geib Hardshell
Serving Musicians Since 1991
