Martin D-18 1955 CFMIV 55th Birthday Anniversary Limited Edition Acoustic Guitar, 55 of 55 with Hardshell Case - Used

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This used Martin will ship insured, fully set up, and inspected from Rapid City, SD. In excellent condition, this acoustic sports minimal wear and scratching, including the original hardshell case.

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Built to celebrate Chris Martin IV’s 55th birthday, this remarkable 2010 Martin D-18 CFMIV 55th Birthday Anniversary guitar—number 55 of just 55 made—faithfully revives the tone and feel of a 1955 D-18. Originally kept at the Martin factory as a prototype before entering private hands, it carries with it a piece of modern Martin history. Its solid Sitka spruce top is paired with stunning quilted mahogany back and sides, creating a look that’s both refined and understated, while offering the dry, balanced tone that defines the D-18 legacy. Every note rings with crisp clarity and punch, perfectly suited for articulate flatpicking or warm, open strumming.

True to its midcentury inspiration, this instrument features rear-shifted 5/16” Sitka spruce X-bracing, a 25.4” scale, and a modified V neck profile that captures the comfortable vintage feel of the era. The satin-finished genuine mahogany neck and black ebony fingerboard offer effortless playability, while the Style 18 inlays and Madagascar rosewood headplate tie the design back to Martin’s storied roots. Traditional appointments like tortoise binding, a Delmar pickguard, and Grover Deluxe tuners complete the period-correct aesthetic with subtle elegance.

This rare anniversary D-18 isn’t just a commemorative piece—it’s a fully realized player’s instrument, crafted with the same care and precision that have defined Martin for generations. With its blend of historical authenticity, limited production, and factory provenance, this guitar stands as both a collector’s prize and a lasting tribute to Chris Martin IV’s leadership and legacy at the helm of C.F. Martin & Co.

Features / Specs

Highlights

• Orientation: Right-Handed
• Electronics: None
• Bracing: Standard "X" Rear-Shifted, Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16"
• Cutaway: None

Body

• Body Shape: Dreadnought
• Top Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
• Top Finish: Gloss
• Top Color: Natural
• Back & Sides Material: Solid Quilted Mahogany
• Back Configuration: 2-Piece
• Back & Sides Finish: Gloss
• Bracing: Standard "X" Rear-Shifted, Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16"
• Binding Material: Tortoise
• Rosette: Old Style 18

Neck

• Neck Profile: Modified V
• Neck Material: Genuine Mahogany
• Neck Taper: Standard Martin
• Neck Depth: 0.863" at 1st Fret, 0.996" at 10th Fret
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Fingerboard Material: Black Ebony
• Fingerboard Inlay: Style 18 - 1955
• Fingerboard Binding: None
• Fingerboard Radius: 16"
• Fingerboard Spacing: 2-1/8" at 12th Fret
• Neck Finish: Satin
• Neck Joint: Dovetail
• Headstock Type: Solid/Square Taper (1950s Rounded Corners)
• Headplate Material: Solid Madagascar Rosewood 
• Headplate Inlay: Martin Logo Decal
• Headplate Finish: Satin

Hardware

• Bridge Style: 1930s Style Belly
• Bridge Material: Black Ebony
• Bridge Pins: Black
• Saddle: Drop-In Long, Bone
• Nut Material: Bone
• Nut Width: 1-11/16"
• Tuners: Grover Deluxe Nickel (Kluson Style)
• Pickguard: Delmar Tortoise

Miscellaneous

• Electronics: None
• Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case
• Serial Number: 1455963
• Manufacture Date: 2010