Martin D-18 (Standard Series) review

Full review

The D-18 has been on stages and records for decades, and the current Standard Series model keeps the formula: a solid spruce top over solid mahogany back and sides. Mahogany gives a dry, focused sound with clear separation between notes, which suits recording and flatpicking styles.

Martin uses forward-shifted, scalloped X-bracing in its Golden Era style. The result is a lively, responsive top with strong bass that stays clear rather than boomy. The modified low oval neck is slim enough for most hands, with a 44.5 mm nut that gives a little extra room for fingerpicking compared with the 43 mm guitars here.

The details are what you pay for: ebony fretboard and bridge, bone nut and compensated bone saddle, open-gear nickel tuners and a gloss-finished body. A hardshell case is included, and left-handed versions are available.

There is no pickup, so live players will need an aftermarket system. This is not a beginner purchase, but it is the kind of guitar people keep for life.