Chris Martin IV celebrated his 55th birthday with a run of 55 guitars made to emulate a 1955 D-18; and this is a prototype of the model that's been in residence at the Martin factory since it was initially built. Constructed with beautiful quilted Mahogany and a straight-braced Sitka Spruce top (true to 1955 spec), this is a clear and punchy sounding D-18 with excellent volume and a dry snap well-suited to flatpicking. This very collectible guitar is as clean as "used" guitars come, since, well, it hasn't been used. Sold as-is, without factory warranty. Price includes original hard case.
- Construction: Mahogany Blocks/Dovetail Neck Joint
- Body Size: D-14 Fret
- Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Rosette: Old Style 18
- Top Bracing Pattern: Standard "X" Rear-Shifted
- Top Braces: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16"
- Back Material: Solid Quilted Mahogany
- Back Purfling: Old Style 18
- Side Material: Solid Quilted Mahogany
- Endpiece: Tortoise Color - Brown
- Endpiece Inlay: None
- Binding: Tortoise Color - Brown
- Top Inlay Style: Multiple Black/White Boltaron
- Side Inlay: None
- Back Inlay: None
- Neck Material: Genuine Mahogany
- Neck Shape: Modified V
- Nut Material: Bone
- Headstock: Solid/Square Taper (1950s Rounded Corners)
- Headplate: Solid Madagascar Rosewood
- Heelcap: Solid Madagascar Rosewood
- Fingerboard Material: Black Ebony
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- # Of Frets Clear: 14
- # Of Frets Total: 20
- Fingerboard Width At Nut: 1-11/16"
- Fingerboard Width At 12th Fret: 2-1/8"
- Fingerboard Position Inlays: Syle 18 - 1955
- Fingerboard Binding: None
- Finish Back & Sides: Polished Gloss
- Finish Top: Polished Gloss W/ Aging Toner
- Finish Neck: Satin
- Bridge Material: Black Ebony
- Bridge Style: 1930s Style Belly W/ Drop-In Long Saddle
- Bridge String Spacing: 2-1/8"
- Saddle: Bone
- Tuning Machines: Grover Deluxe Nickel (Kluson Style)
- Bridge & End Pins: Black
- Pickguard: Delmar Tortoise