Martin D18 1955CFMIV70 CFM IV 70TH 1955 Acoustic Guitar - Aged Natural

Celebrating Chris Martin IV’s 70th birthday, the Martin D-18 1955 CFM IV 70TH faithfully recreates the mid-century sound and well-worn character of a vintage D-18 from 1955, Chris’s birth year. At its core is a reclaimed spruce top, reflecting Chris’s leadership in guiding Martin toward sustainable guitar building. The top’s old-growth origins and era-accurate non-scalloped, rearward-shifted Sitka spruce X-bracing deliver clear, focused projection — the hallmark tone of Martin’s immediate post-war masterpieces. Solid mahogany back and sides provide warmth and rich midrange depth. The neck features a select hardwood Golden Era Modified Low Oval profile for comfortable playability, paired with an FSC-certified rosewood fingerboard adorned with 1955 Style 18 dot inlays, a slim 1.687-inch nut width, and a smooth satin finish. Vintage-inspired Kluson Vintage Waffleback tuners and an FSC-certified ebony bridge complete the authentic vintage experience. Finished with a printed-on wear pattern replicating the look of Chris’s birth year D-18, this limited-edition Martin is ultra-rare — only 70 crafted, with Sadek Music offering a select few. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Martin history.

Meet the man behind Martin’s modern golden age

For more than three decades, Chris Martin IV led America’s most historic guitar manufacturer into the modern era as CEO. In 1996, 163 years after Christian Frederick Martin established the company, Chris Martin IV celebrated a milestone with the company’s 750,000th serialized instrument. Under Chris’s fearless stewardship, that number grew to two million within a decade, reaching 2.5 million only a year after Chris retired in 2021. Furthermore, Chris Martin IV’s crucial role in Martin’s modernization goes far beyond ramping up production: Chris’s leadership of Martin has seen a faithful return to the company’s legendary prewar tonal roots on the brand’s Standard series offerings, the development of cutting-edge modern acoustic-electric creations like the SC series, and a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability.

Sustainably sourced reclaimed spruce top

At Sadek Music, To mirror the well-aged sound of the original 1955 D-18 that inspired it, this D-18 1955 CFM IV 70TH wears a top of reclaimed spruce. Pulled from disassembled log bridges, wind-felled trees, and barge ramp logs, this old-growth timber embodies Chris Martin IV’s long-standing commitment to sustainability. What’s more, the top stands supported by period-accurate non-scalloped Sitka spruce bracing and mahogany back and sides — a combo that captures the signature focus and definition of Martin’s mid-century instruments. A printed pattern on the top seals the deal by perfectly replicating the well-worn elegance of the vintage 1955 D-18 that this limited-edition Martin was modeled after.

Setting the standard for steel strings everywhere

If there’s a “standard” acoustic guitar shape, it’s undeniably the dreadnought. As Martin’s most iconic model, the dreadnought has shaped the sound of genres ranging from bluegrass to rock with its powerful projection and booming bass response. Since the introduction of the D-18 and D-28 in the early 1930s — and even earlier with Martin’s “Ditson” models — this body shape has been the backbone of countless legendary performances. Whether you’re a flatpicking bluegrass virtuoso or a singer-songwriter crafting heartfelt strums, a Martin dreadnought promises a lifetime of superior steel-string tone and unmatched playability. Available now at Sadek Music — experience the classic that set the standard.

Martin D-18 1955 CFM IV 70TH Features:

• Limited-edition Martin D-18, celebrating Chris Martin IV’s 70th birthday
• Modeled after a vintage D-18 from Chris’s birth year of 1955, featuring a printed-on pattern on the top to match the original’s aging
• Reclaimed spruce top from old-growth Alaskan logs resounds with a rich, responsive, and aged-in character
• Era-appropriate non-scalloped, rearward-shifted Sitka spruce X-bracing delivers deep projection and a focused tonality
• Traditional mahogany back and sides round out your sound with ample warmth and midrange definition
• Comfortable select hardwood neck in Martin’s GE Modified Low Oval profile, sealed with a satin finish for speed
• 16-in.-radius FSC-certified rosewood fingerboard with 1955 Style 18 dot inlays
• 1.687-in. nut width is sure to please players after a slightly slimmer feel
• Top-of-the-line Kluson Vintage Waffleback tuning machines keep your strings stable.

Tech Specs

• String Type: Steel
• Number of Strings: 6
• Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
• Body Shape: Dreadnought
• Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
• Top Wood: Reclaimed Spruce
• Top Finish: Gloss
• Body Bracing: Rearward Shifted X Brace
• Neck Wood: Select Hardwood
• Neck Finish: Satin
• Neck Shape: GE Modified Low Oval
• Radius: 16"
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Inlay: Dots
• Number of Frets: 20 
• Scale Length: 25.4" 
• Scale Length Type: Standard-scale 
• Nut Width: 1.6875" 
• Nut Material: Bone 
• Saddle Material: Bone 
• Bridge Material: Ebony 
• Tuning Machines: Kluson Nickel Vintage Waffleback 
• Strings: Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 - Medium, .013-.056 
• Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case