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Martin Custom Shop D-18E 12 String Flame Koa With Sitka Spruce

Martin Custom Shop D-18E 12 String Flame Koa With Sitka Spruce

SKU 04MCS040
by Martin
$ 5,500.00 - $ 5,500.00
$ 5,500.00
$ 5,500.00 - $ 5,500.00
$ 5,500.00

 Martin Custom Shop D-18E 12 String Flamed Koa

Truetone Music was invited to Nazareth, PA for a very special visit. We had the chance to spec out guitars to be custom built by Martin. We were also thrilled by the prospect of being able to hand select our own wood at the factory, aided by Custom Shop representatives and tonewood experts.  That began a relationship that has continued for multiple custom runs over a number of years.

We knew we wanted to represent an interesting variety as far as models and exotic woods, but we also wanted the guitars to sound as best they could, never sacrificing tone for bling.  This Martin Custom Shop version of a D-18E 12 String with Flamed Koa and Sitka Spruce is a true example of that theory coming together in the best possible way.   It's a simple move to make - essentially a classic D-18 12 String, with a unique pairing of wood, made with the best materials and craftsmanship from the top luthiers at the Martin Custom Shop.

The inspiration for this guitar came from a very special customer of ours - it's based on a guitar that he had when he was young.  Doing a 12 string in Koa jumped out to us a excellent idea, so when we went to Nazareth to visit the Custom Shop, this one was at the top of our list to do.  Being able to pick out the wood made it even more special - and when you're looking at koa, it ALL looks good.  We found what we thought was the most evenly matched spread, with the perfect amount of character.

We chose to pair the Flamed Koa back & sides with the best Sitka Spruce.  Koa is one of the most exotic and recognizable tone woods used on acoustic guitars.  The obvious appeal right off the bat, is aesthetic, but it's about much more than looks.  Koa produces a brighter sound that is also very evenly balanced.  We felt that this is perfect for a 12 string guitar.  Often described as being between maple and rosewood, Koa offers the best of both worlds: the crisp, clarity of the former and warmth and thick tone of the latter.  Koa guitars might sound bright and tight off the shelf, and benefit from a good amount of ‘playing in.’ The more they’re played, the more the sound opens up. Tones become richer, sweeter and more resonant, with a rich low end and well-rounded sparkle overall.  The Sitka Spruce top resonates and sings sweetly, providing excellent note definition.  It adds a bit of mid-range to balance the back & sides, producing a great balance for fingerpicking.  The balance between the two types of wood is perfect.  


We love the grain of the Flamed Koa that was selected, as well as how the Aging Toner enhances the look of the Sitka Spruce.  Another custom feature is the Koa headplate with the "Old Style Gold" decal.  It's little things like that that make a guitar like this even more unique.  The look of the guitar itself would be enough, but the materials, construction and appointments make it all the more special.  In some ways, compared to other Martin Custom Shop guitars we've done, this is a simple design, but it's much more than that.  In the end, it's all about feel and sound - and this guitar has it all.  When it arrived, we realized that we had hit upon a supremely winning combination of specs for a 12 string like this.
An added bonus that we applied to this guitar is the used of East Indian Rosewood for the binding.  It's not something that you see very often.  It's another customization that really makes this guitar unique, like no other out there. 


The guitar is finished in gloss, with a satin finished Mahogany neck.  It has Martin’s popular modified low oval with high performance taper, making it very comfortable to play for hours. The radius is 16” with a nut width of 1 3/4”.  It's a very easy to play guitar, especially for a 12 string.

For those that want to amplify there sound for live performance, this Custom Shop D-18E 12 String is loaded with LR Baggs Anthem electronics.  We typically don't go acoustic-electric on our builds, but we felt that this one deserved it.  Featuring the patented TRU-MIC technology, it seamlessly combines a condenser microphone with the acclaimed Element pickup to deliver warmth, fidelity and true representation of the guitar's tone.

 Other features included a tortoise shell pickguard, a Black Ebony fretboard, and Gotoh tuners.  It comes with a Martin hard shell case and certificate of authenticity.  

A Martin dreadnought like a D-18 is about as classic as it can get, and this one takes it to another level by being a Flamed Koa 12 string, with electronics.  Come to Truetone Music today to experience this amazing Martin Custom Shop guitar, or order right here today.

 

  • Configuration:  C22-052759
  • Serial # 2750449
  • Body Shape:  Dreadnought 12 String
  • Inspired by: D-18 Style
  • Base Model Note: Wood Selected by Truetone at the Martin Custom Shop
  • Appointment Level: Standard
  • Adhesive: Modern Adhesive
  • Top Material:  Sitka Spruce
  • Bracing Material, Top: Sitka Spruce
  • Bracing Pattern, Top:  X Brace - Forward Shifted
  • Bracing Pattern Number, Top:  3-A DOMLE
  • Bracing Shape, Top: Scalloped
  • Bracing Style, Top: Standard
  • Bracing Size, Top: 5/16"
  • Back and Side Material: Flamed Koa
  • Binding Material: East Indian Rosewood
  • Rosette Style:  Old Style 18 Boltaron
  • Neck Material: Mahogany 
  • Neck Profile: Modified Low Oval
  • Neck Taper: High Performance Taper
  • Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 13/16"
  • Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/4"
  • String Spacing: 2 5/16''
  • Tuning Machines:  Gotoh Chrome SG360/07 w/ Small Buttons
  • Fingerboard Material: Black Ebony
  • Fingerboard Inlay:  Old Style 18; Select Abalone
  • Finish Type: Standard
  • Finish Package: Gloss Body w/ Satin Neck
  • Top Color: Aging Toner
  • Frets Clear: 14 Frets Clear of Body
  • Total Frets: 20 Total
  • Scale Length: 25.4"
  • Neck Joint: Dovetail
  • Truss Rod: Adjustable 14 Fret
  • Bridge Style: Modern Belly 12 String
  • Saddle Style: Drop in Saddle
  • Saddle Material: Compensated Bone
  • Bridge End Pins: Black
  • Case:  3-Ply Hardshell with Domed Top

SKU C22-052759