Martin has lifted the veil on several exciting new Dreadnought models ahead of next month’s NAMM show at California’s Anaheim Convention Center.
Extending the popular pre-war vintage-style Authentic Series introduced in 2005 where “everything old is new again” are the D-18 and D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged instruments.
Meanwhile, half a dozen new satin finish Dreadnoughts have been added to the Standard Series. These include the Aging Toner and Amberburst top D-18s and D-28s, plus the new D-18 StreetLegend and D-28 StreetLegend relic finish guitars.
Here’s a quick rundown of Martin’s latest Dreadnoughts…
Standard Series D-18 StreetLegend and D-28 StreetLegend
New to Martin’s Standard Series – home of such classics as the 0-18, 000-28, OM-28, D-35 and D-45 – are the D-18 and D-28 StreetLegend guitars.
Inspired by some of the well-loved vintage acoustics guitars found in the Martin museum, these instruments appear with a factory relic finish.
Featuring satin-finished tops, backs and sides, Martin says the D-18 StreetLegend and D-28 StreetLegend offer “bright trebles and punchy midrange tones,” while aged open-gear tuners and an aged satin pickguard tie the vintage vibe together.
The $2,399 D-18 StreetLegend features a mahogany back and rim, while the $2,799 D-28 StreetLegend is constructed using East Indian rosewood. Both models are fitted with spruce tops and ebony fingerboards and bridges.
Standard Series D-18 and D-28 in Satin and Satin Amberburst
Martin’s Standard Series D-18 and D-28 workhorse guitars are now available in a full satin finish, either with an Aging Toner or Amberburst top.
These new satin finishes appear alongside the regular gloss finish option. All other Standard Series D-18 and D-28 specs remain the same.
As above, the Standard Series D-18 features a mahogany back and rim while the D-28 is built with East Indian rosewood.
Authentic Series D-18 and D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged
Pre-war Martin guitars are among the most collectible acoustics on the planet. An apex of innovation, materials and craftsmanship, 1937 is notable as a year when some of the firm’s Holy Grail flat-tops were made.
Authentic replications of coveted vintage guitars, the D-18 and D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged models both feature a hide glue construction and period-correct forward-shifted X-bracing.
In the case of both guitars, the top and braces are made using pre-war-style Adirondack spruce. Meanwhile, Martin's unique Vintage Tone System (VTS) ages the wood to replicate the sound of a vintage acoustic.
The D-18 is constructed with “Genuine Mahogany” while the D-28 boasts a Guatemalan rosewood back and rim.
Visit Martin for more information.
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