Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe

Name: Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe
Brand: Martin
Price: 4211 USD
Availability: Discontinued

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Key Features

Historic Martin tones thanks to a spruce VTS top
Increased volume and enhanced sustain from Liquidmetal bridge pins
Maximum playing comfort with an asymmetrical neck shape
A powerful dreadnought that allows you to reach your maximum potential

Martin D-18 Modern Deluxe Overview

z3`21 Exquisite design. Combining historic tone and modern features, the Martin D18 Modern Deluxe, VTS Top guitar represents the pinnacle of Martin's craftsmanship. Traditional guitar building techniques have been combined with cutting edge technology in order to recreate the iconic dreadnought sound that Martin are known for. A titanium truss rod and carbon fibre composite bridge plate provide ultimate strength while keeping the guitar light and providing excellent tonal response.

Martin's Vintage Tone System (VTS), is used to artificially age the top and bracing of this guitar, meaning it sounds like a worn-in, vintage instrument right out of the box. The Modern Deluxe D18 also features an all new asymmetrical neck carve which provides exceptional playability and maximum comfort. Unbeatable quality that you simply have to experience to believe.

Product Ref: 135917

Full Description

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A tonal time machine

New guitars can often lack character. They miss that unique, open sound that can only come from wood aged over many years. Engineers at Martin wanted to find a way of recreating this elusive tone in their new instruments. After years of research, they developed the Vintage Tone System.

A method of artificially aging wood, it recreates the warm, rich sound of vintage instruments. Torrefying the wood removes the moisture, giving a more stable structure that closely matches the sound of older pieces of wood. But Martin didn't stop there. Using historic guitars as references, Martin's research and development team tweaked the torrefaction process in order to precisely recreate the tone you associate with these classic instruments. The end result is a brand new guitar that sounds like it's been around for generations.

Authentic tonewood construction

Hand-crafted from high-quality tonewoods, the Martin D18 Modern Deluxe delivers a classic dreadnought sound that is instantly recognisable. The solid spruce VTS top delivers a well-rounded tone that sounds beautifully aged. The VTS treatment doesn't stop at the top. The Adirondack spruce bracing has also undergone the process. Not only does this provide exquisite vintage tones - the forward-shifted, scalloped X-brace provides more bottom end and headroom, fattening up your sound. So it's perfect for powerful chords when you really dig in to the strings.

A dovetail neck joint gives this guitar the rich, full-bodied sound of a historic Martin. Combined with genuine solid mahogany back and sides, and East Indian rosewood binding, you get a warm, punchy tone that's suitable for almost any style.

A modern take on a vintage neck shape

Combine classic tone with modern playability. A new neck shape used on the D18 Modern Deluxe provides a comfortable playing experience that anyone can enjoy. When making the Modern Deluxe series, Martin looked back at some of their legendary models from the past. They loved the slightly asymmetrical neck carve on a 1930s OM45, so used this shape for the neck on the Modern Deluxe guitars.

The asymmetrical design is thinner at the bottom of the neck, whilst keeping some thickness at the nut. This lets your hand rest naturally when playing open chords and allows for easier playing further down the neck. Combined with a smooth satin finish and hard ebony fingerboard, you can easily glide to any fret. So achieving your maximum playing performance is made simple.

Traditional tone with modern features

The stunning sound of the past - made even better for the present day. Martin have combined the historic tone of their vintage models with a stack of modern enhancements that improve performance. A carbon fibre composite bridge plate combines the warm tone of Adirondack spruce with the strength and rigidity of carbon fibre. This helps provide extra volume and sustain with added brightness.

A super-responsive two-way titanium truss rod is over 64% lighter than a traditional steel one. This vastly reduces the guitar's weight - allowing you to play for longer on stage without suffering back pain. There are also the custom Liquidmetal bridge pins. These titanium alloy pins provide a huge boost in volume and increased sustain. Martin's testing revealed a 3-5db increase compared to regular pins, whilst keeping the natural tonal response you would expect from this exquisitely crafted guitar.

Classic Martin style

Vintage design with modern functionality. One of the first things you will notice about the D18 Modern Deluxe is the beautiful 1930's style pearl inlayed headstock logo, complemented by pearl side dots. These exquisite design choices show the attention to detail that has gone in to making this stunning guitar. Gold open gear tuners not only look great, but they also offer excellent tuning stability. EVO gold frets perfectly match the tuners. These frets are harder than their nickel counterparts. They offer the feel of traditional frets with enhanced durability. So the Martin D18 doesn't just look good - it's built to last too.

Protect your pride and joy

Maximum security. When the time comes to hit the road, you want to have peace of mind that your guitar is safe and secure. The Martin D18 Modern Deluxe comes with a hardshell case at no extra cost - perfect for keeping your guitar free from scratches or dents during transit. A must have for gigging musicians, this will help keep your guitar in pristine condition.