Martin Unveils New Look Dreadnought Models Ahead of NAMM 2023
The historic firm’s latest designs include two Authentic Series Aged instruments, plus satin finish models in the Standard Series (including a pair of new StreetLegend relic instruments!)
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.
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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.
Rod Brakes is a music journalist with an expertise in guitars. Having spent many years at the coalface as a guitar dealer and tech, Rod's more recent work as a writer covering artists, industry pros and gear includes contributions for leading publications and websites such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar World, Guitar Player and MusicRadar in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.