The Martin D18 Modern Deluxe stands as a classic Martin mahogany-backed Dreadnought guitar built with a remarkable array of next-level features tucked away in its intricate details. While the phrase "next level" might sound overused in some contexts, the D18 Modern Deluxe unquestionably earns this distinction, with its true impact best appreciated in person.
A product of over a year and a half of dedicated development, the D18 Modern Deluxe incorporates a set of custom-shop-inspired modern elements, elevating the sonic brilliance and playability of Martin's flagship guitar.
The D18 Modern Deluxe begins with a Sitka Spruce Top treated with Martin's Vintage Tone System (VTS). This proprietary process influences the new top with the characteristics of natural aging, resulting in what players commonly describe as a "broken in" guitar. The VTS Sitka top is reinforced by forward-shifted scalloped Adirondack spruce "X" bracing, enhancing its resonance and responsiveness.
Introduced by way of the Modern Deluxe series is a Torrefied Adirondack Spruce bridge plate with Carbon Fiber reinforcement on both sides. This innovation infuses a touch of extra brightness and remarkable stability to the already rich tonal qualities of Adirondack Spruce.
The neck of the Modern Deluxe D18 boasts a Vintage Deluxe profile with a High Performance Taper, satin finish, and an Ebony fingerboard. This D18 Deluxe also features a nickel/copper alloy fretwire, boasting greater strength than standard Martin frets, and exclusive to the Modern Deluxe spec. The copper alloy infuses a golden hue, beautifully complementing the guitar's gold Waverly open gear tuners.
Yet another standout feature in the D18 Modern Deluxe is its bridge pins. These pins, crafted in collaboration with Liquidmetal, are fashioned from a titanium alloy. Martin's testing has shown that these bridge pins can boost the guitar's volume by around 3-5 dB. These pins are identified by the distinctive red dot insignia, setting them apart from standard or non-Liquidmetal pins.
To add an extra touch of elegance, the D18 Modern Deluxe incorporates Rosewood binding with a Herringbone detail. It's important to note that the choice of wood binding varies among the different models in the Modern Deluxe lineup, and for the 18-series guitars, Rosewood is the exclusive choice.
From the factory, the D18E Modern Deluxe is equipped with the dedicated Fishman Aura VT Blend electronics system. This allows for Fishman Aura imaging technology to be blended with a volume/tone undersaddle pickup, highlighting realism and authentic acoustic guitar tones direct into a DI or console.
The Martin D18E Modern Deluxe is nothing short of extraordinary, epitomizing the fusion of sophistication and performance, and all the more flexible with factory electronics.
