C.F. Martin & Co. D-18 Price Guide
The Martin D-18 is the mahogany-back sibling to the rosewood D-28 — lighter, warmer, and favored for its focused midrange tone and excellent projection. Introduced in 1932 alongside the D-28 as Martin expanded the dreadnought lineup, the D-18 became particularly popular with bluegrass flat-pickers and folk singers. Pre-war examples with scalloped bracing are highly prized.
Produced: 1932–present
📖 Buyer's Guide
Pre-war D-18s (pre-1946) with scalloped bracing are exceptional instruments worth serious investment. Post-war D-18s through the 1960s offer excellent value. Look for neck resets (common on all Martins), cracks in the top near the bridge, and replaced saddles. The mahogany construction makes these more resistant to humidity-related cracking than the rosewood D-28.
Value by Year
| Year | Excellent | Very Good | Good | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | $45,000–$90,000 | $28,000–$45,000 | $17,000–$28,000 | Full Details → |
| 1935 | $40,000–$80,000 | $25,000–$40,000 | $15,000–$25,000 | Full Details → |
| 1937 | $40,000–$80,000 | $25,000–$40,000 | $15,000–$25,000 | Full Details → |
| 1939 | $35,000–$70,000 | $22,000–$35,000 | $13,000–$22,000 | Full Details → |
| 1942 | $28,000–$55,000 | $18,000–$28,000 | $11,000–$18,000 | Full Details → |
| 1944 | $15,000–$30,000 | $9,500–$15,000 | $5,800–$9,500 | Full Details → |
| 1946 | $8,000–$16,000 | $5,000–$8,000 | $3,000–$5,000 | Full Details → |
| 1948 | $7,000–$14,000 | $4,500–$7,000 | $2,700–$4,500 | Full Details → |
| 1950 | $6,000–$12,000 | $3,800–$6,000 | $2,300–$3,800 | Full Details → |
| 1952 | $5,000–$10,000 | $3,200–$5,000 | $1,900–$3,200 | Full Details → |
| 1954 | $4,800–$9,500 | $3,000–$4,800 | $1,900–$3,000 | Full Details → |
| 1956 | $4,500–$9,000 | $2,900–$4,500 | $1,800–$2,900 | Full Details → |
| 1958 | $4,200–$8,500 | $2,700–$4,200 | $1,600–$2,700 | Full Details → |
| 1960 | $4,200–$8,500 | $2,700–$4,200 | $1,600–$2,700 | Full Details → |
| 1962 | $4,100–$8,200 | $2,600–$4,100 | $1,600–$2,600 | Full Details → |
| 1964 | $4,000–$8,000 | $2,500–$4,000 | $1,500–$2,500 | Full Details → |
| 1967 | $3,500–$7,000 | $2,200–$3,500 | $1,400–$2,200 | Full Details → |
| 1968 | $3,200–$6,500 | $2,000–$3,200 | $1,300–$2,000 | Full Details → |
| 1970 | $2,800–$5,500 | $1,800–$2,800 | $1,100–$1,800 | Full Details → |
| 1972 | $2,500–$5,000 | $1,600–$2,500 | $1,000–$1,600 | Full Details → |
| 1974 | $2,300–$4,700 | $1,500–$2,300 | $950–$1,500 | Full Details → |
| 1975 | $2,200–$4,500 | $1,400–$2,200 | $900–$1,400 | Full Details → |