1950 C.F. Martin & Co. D-18
An early 1950s D-18 — the bluegrass-era mahogany Martin. The punchy midrange and cutting tone made these essential for flatpicking and rhythm playing in country and bluegrass music.
Current Market Value
Excellent
$6,000–$12,000
Very Good
$3,800–$6,000
Good
$2,300–$3,800
Fair
$1,100–$2,300
* 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) |
| 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 | 1,200 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic.
What Changed in 1950
Early 1950s D-18 — the affordable Martin dreadnought in the emerging bluegrass era. Lester Flatt, the Carter Family, and countless country artists played D-18s. Ebony fingerboard still standard.
Collector's Notes
1950s D-18s are excellent player instruments. The mahogany tone is ideal for flatpicking. Many were used professionally for decades — check for replacement bridges, saddles, and neck resets.