1932 C.F. Martin & Co. D-18
The first D-18 — Martin's inaugural mahogany dreadnought. Only 45 made. Scalloped bracing, Adirondack spruce, and the punchy mahogany tone that would define bluegrass and country flat-picking.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Spruce (top), Mahogany (back and sides — scalloped bracing) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Scale Length | 25.400" |
| Frets | 20 |
| Pickup Config | None (acoustic) |
| Bridge | Ebony belly bridge |
| Tuners | Grover Sta-Tite |
| Finish Options | Natural |
| Est. Production | 45 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic flat-top.
What Changed in 1932
First year of the D-18 — Martin's mahogany dreadnought. Scalloped bracing, Adirondack spruce top, mahogany back and sides, ebony fingerboard. The affordable dreadnought that would become a bluegrass and country staple.
Collector's Notes
First-year D-18s are rare and significant. The mahogany construction gives a different tonal character from the rosewood D-28 — more focused midrange, drier bass. Verify scalloped bracing inside.