1942 C.F. Martin & Co. D-18
A transitional wartime D-18 — the bracing change from scalloped to non-scalloped was underway. Scalloped examples are significantly more valuable. Wartime restrictions limited production.
Current Market Value
Excellent
$28,000–$55,000
Very Good
$18,000–$28,000
Good
$11,000–$18,000
Fair
$5,500–$11,000
* 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 — transitional, scalloped to non-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 | 180 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic flat-top.
What Changed in 1942
Wartime D-18 — transitional year as Martin shifted from scalloped to non-scalloped bracing. Some 1942 examples may have scalloped bracing, others non-scalloped. Verify individually. Wartime production declining.
Collector's Notes
Verify bracing type on 1942-1944 D-18s — scalloped examples command a 30-40% premium over non-scalloped. Use a mirror inside the soundhole to check. All other specs remain pre-war quality.