Martin Custom Shop D-18 Modern Deluxe – Adirondack Top – Overview
The Martin Custom Shop D-18 Modern Deluxe combines the legendary punch and clarity of a mahogany Martin dreadnought with the refined upgrades of the Modern Deluxe platform, enhanced by a premium Adirondack spruce top. Built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania by Martin’s Custom Shop luthiers, this exceptional instrument pairs an Adirondack spruce soundboard with genuine mahogany back and sides, delivering the focused midrange, powerful projection, and articulate response that have made the D-18 one of Martin’s most celebrated designs.
This Custom Shop example elevates the traditional D-18 Modern Deluxe with an Adirondack spruce top — a tonewood prized for its exceptional headroom, clarity, and dynamic range. Combined with Martin’s innovative Modern Deluxe Series features, including forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing, the guitar delivers the lively responsiveness of a classic Martin dreadnought with the performance advantages of modern engineering.
Tone & Performance
The Adirondack top gives this D-18 Modern Deluxe increased dynamic range and exceptional projection while preserving the dry, woody character that defines mahogany Martins. Expect strong fundamental notes, tight and controlled bass, and crisp trebles that cut through beautifully in ensemble settings.
Players will notice outstanding headroom under a heavier pick attack, making this guitar ideal for bluegrass flatpicking and dynamic rhythm playing. At the same time, the balanced tonal response allows for excellent clarity and articulation in fingerstyle arrangements and studio recording applications.
Construction & Modern Deluxe Features
Martin’s traditional dovetail neck joint and solid wood construction preserve the resonance and tonal depth expected from a handcrafted American-built acoustic guitar. The Modern Deluxe platform introduces several advanced features including a titanium truss rod that reduces neck weight and improves responsiveness, along with a Liquidmetal bridge pin system designed to maximize energy transfer from the strings to the soundboard.
The comfortable Vintage Deluxe neck profile with High-Performance Taper and 1 3/4" nut width provides modern playability while maintaining the familiar feel many Martin players prefer. An ebony fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, and premium gold Waverly tuning machines complete the instrument with both performance and visual elegance.
Serial Number: 2985531
Professionally inspected and ready to ship.
Specifications
- Body Size: D-14 Fret
- Construction: Dovetail Neck Joint / Titanium Truss Rod
- Top Material: Adirondack Spruce
- Bracing: 5/16" Adirondack
- Back & Sides: Genuine Mahogany
- Neck Shape: Vintage Deluxe / High-Performance Taper
- Nut & Saddle: Bone / Gold Frets
- Fingerboard & Bridge: Ebony
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- Nut Width: 1 3/4"
- Bridge Spacing: 2 5/32"
- Tuning Machines: Gold Waverly
- Case: Hardshell Case
Explore Martin Modern Deluxe Models
The Martin Modern Deluxe Series combines vintage Martin craftsmanship with innovative design features including VTS-treated tops, titanium truss rods, and Liquidmetal bridge pins.
- Martin Modern Deluxe Dreadnought
- Martin Modern Deluxe OM
- Martin Modern Deluxe 000
- Martin Modern Deluxe 00
Serving Musicians Since 1991
