C. F. Martin D-18 Model Acoustic Guitar (1953), made in Nazareth, PA, serial # 132308, natural lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, molded plastic hard shell case.

This is a great-sounding and playing 1953 D-18, with a ton of character. This guitar has a fabulous big voice and while it shows signs of long use remains in fine playing condition. Typical appointments for the early 1950's include unmarked Kluson Deluxe tuners, larger varied-dot inlay on the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, rosewood long-saddle bridge and all tortoise celluloid trim. Martin Dreadnoughts of this era were undisputed favorites with many professional Country & Western entertainers when new, and are still known as fantastic guitars for a wide range of styles.
 
Overall length is 40 3/8 in. (102.6 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). This old D-18 has been well played but remains in very good structural condition with a fantastic sound. The most instantly noticeable feature is the name "Willie" (or possibly "iWillie") neatly painted in gold and black signmaker's lettering on the top. Overall the guitar has a lot of play wear, especially to the top with a small chunk of the soundhole edge worn away and a lot of adjacent divoting. There is a repaired patch to the side just above the heelblock, solid but visible, which appears to be be the original wood re-used after an impact repair. The bridge is an excellent replacement, the bridgeplate is original with one small plugged area. The neck is lovely, with the slightly chunkier feel of the early 1950's. This guitar has definitely seen a lot of use but remains an exceptional player and one of the best sounding 1950's Martins we have heard in a while. Excellent - Condition.