This Martin D-180 is build to commemorate the 180th birthday of the Martin Guitar Company. She is based on the flagship model, the D-45, and built by the Custom Shop team. Martin choose Madagascar Rosewood and a ‘pre-war’ fine-grained Adirondack Red Spruce top with the Golden Era Forward Shifted Adirondack Bracing featuring special design inlaid Abalone on the top, headstock and neck.
This awesome Martin D-180 Custom has it all and then some. On top of the 45-style abalone inlay, Martin added the exquisite soundhole inlay. IMHO, this is amongst the most stylish inlay I have ever seen. She’s just so elegantly dresses, never posh. Superb looks and even more important: from a tonal point of view, this Martin is amongst the best of the best. Martin uses the term Golden Era for a variation of their Scalloped Bracing. This type of Scalloping is more aggressive compared to a standard scallop. With Golden Era Scalloping, there is more wood shaved from the Braces and the X brace is a little tighter fit. This variation of scalloping helps the tone and responsiveness, by letting the top vibrate more freely. Tight grained Adirondack, well played in offers full bass notes and meaty highs. Just awesome! Overtones splatter all over the room. Flatpicking, strumming and fingerpicking this magnificent instrument will overwhelm you with inspiration and lead you to new musical horizons. Check out the sound impression on YouTube.
The modern Martin D-45 is a distinctive guitar and top of the line. This D-180 is way above that mark. This guitar’s label is signed by Christian Frederick Martin IV and numbered sequentially. Click the following link for the full Martin Custom Shop specs-list Martin D-180 #4 of 25. She has been played, but always treaded well. Signs of use are visible up close but no scratches. One very tiny ding on the top and a professionally repaired back binding lead to an excellent condition rating. In short, this Anniversary Edition guitar is a daily feast for the eye and ear. It’s the perfect guitar for any guitar aficionado & collector. Listen to a sound sample here:
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