This guitar is from the first batch of D-18 models made in 1938 (the serial number is only about 60 numbers into the year), and so has all the features of a '37 model: wider 1 3/4" neck, no flat brace under the fretboard, high X bracing pattern, and Grover tuners with "flattened oval" buttons instead of the "butter bean" style. The fact that it has a sunburst top, and a lovely one at that, of course only adds to the appeal, as does the fact that it's a one-family, 100% original guitar with the exception of a neck reset, refret, and new saddle done by Frank Ford's crew here at Gryphon (most of the work performed by famed luthier Michi Matsuda). The current owner of the guitar inherited it from an aunt when he was only a few years old, and that's him holding the guitar, which was taller than he was. His height in the photo gives you a good idea of his age at the time, because he's well over 6 feet tall as an adult.

Here's the lowdown on the guitar itself: There is lots of finish wear, especially to the back and lower side, but little of the picked-through-the-finish wear one usually sees on a guitar that's had heavy play. This guitar was a family item, and got played and bumped around by two generations of kids. No one in the family knew it was valuable until very recently. There's one crunch to the edge of the top, which shows as a light spot in the detail photos, but except for that THERE ARE NO CRACKS, REPAIRED OR OTHERWISE, TO ANY PART OF THIS GUITAR. (Furthermore, there are no signs of any repair to the the inside or outside. The bridge has never been off, no loose braces have ever been glued, the original bridge plate is not chewed up from lots of string ball changes, etc. Changing strings was evidently not a priority). There isn't even a strap button! Original nut, solid (no-slot) round top bridge pins, original pickguard that never warped, plating is excellent on all the tuner buttons, etc. The neck was reset so a moderate height saddle would allow good playing action, a tall saddle was avoided because that would possibly crack the orginal bridge and would result in the ugly "drop-off" where the fretboard crosses over onto the top of the guitar and towards the soundhole. Yep, this guitar has some scratches, in fact, it has lots of 'em, but the originality, never-messed-with quality, and rare sunburst more than makes up for those little marks in the original lacquer. Yes, it sounds great! We've ordered a copy from Martin (D-18 Authentic with sunburst top) that will sell for a lot less, so stay tuned.