1964 C.F. Martin & Co. D-18
1960s D-18 at the height of the folk revival — the professional musician's accessible Martin. Consistent quality, excellent mahogany tone, and genuinely vintage status at player-friendly prices.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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Specifications
| Body Wood | Spruce (top), Mahogany (back and sides) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 25.400" |
| Frets | 20 |
| Pickup Config | None (acoustic) |
| Bridge | Rosewood belly bridge |
| Tuners | Grover Sta-Tite |
| Finish Options | Natural |
| Est. Production | 3,500 |
Pickups & Electronics
Pure acoustic.
What Changed in 1964
Folk revival era D-18 — widely used by working folk musicians. The affordable Martin dreadnought was accessible to professional musicians in a way the D-28 wasn't. Bob Dylan played acoustic guitars of this type.
Collector's Notes
Folk revival association gives 1960s D-18s cultural significance. Many have had significant player use — check for replaced bridges, nuts, and saddles. Neck resets common and acceptable.
How to Authenticate a 1964 C.F. Martin & Co. D-18
Martin serial numbers are the most reliable in the industry — verify the number stamped on the neck block (visible through the soundhole) against Martin's published tables. For 1964, the number should fall within the documented range. Mahogany back and sides with spruce top. Non-scalloped X-bracing pattern for this era — verify through the soundhole. Mahogany (not rosewood) back and sides — verify correct wood species. Simpler appointments than D-28 (no herringbone). Check for neck resets, top cracks (especially near soundhole and bridge), and bridge plate condition. Tuners should be Grover Sta-Tite. Finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer with age-appropriate wear. Original case adds value.