Martin Custom Shop Adirondack/Sinker Mahogany D-18

This Martin Custom Shop dreadnought is a D-18 built the way bluegrass players want one: an Adirondack spruce top over back and sides of sinker mahogany that we selected for the build. Sinker mahogany comes from logs that sat underwater for decades before they were recovered, and it's prized for a deeper, more complex voice than standard mahogany. A thin gloss finish with an aging toner, brown faux tortoise binding and Style 18 inlays give it the look of a vintage Martin.

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Martin Custom Shop D-18 Dreadnought, front view showing Adirondack spruce top and tortoiseshell pickguard.
Martin Custom Shop Adirondack/Sinker Mahogany Custom "D-18" Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar #0897
Sale price$8,761.00
Special financing available

Adirondack spruce is the top wood of prewar Martins, and it's known for headroom: the harder you dig in with a flatpick, the more it gives back before it compresses. That's the difference you hear between an Adirondack dreadnought and a Sitka one in a bluegrass jam. Under that top, the sinker mahogany keeps the low end strong and the midrange focused when you play hard, so bass runs and single-note lines stay clear next to a banjo and a fiddle.

The neck has a modified V profile on a dovetail joint, the traditional Martin neck-to-body joint, and vintage-style Grover StaTite tuners finish the headstock. There's no pickup, by design: this is a purely acoustic D-18 for a player who mics the guitar or plays it in the room. Each one comes in a hardshell case.

Libby Lindblom plays a Sinker D-18 in her family band Headin' Home, and you can see the rest of the band's rig on their gear list. Every one ships after our 23-Point Professional Inspection and is covered by our Dread-Not Guarantee.

Custom Shop builds are one-off orders, so when one sells its listing comes off this page and what you see here is exactly what we have. For other custom builds, see the Martin Custom Shop, or all of our Martin guitars.

Why buy from The Acoustic Shoppe

  • A twelve-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer (2015–2026)
  • The #1 worldwide Eastman acoustic guitar dealer
  • Every instrument ships after our 23-Point Professional Inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sinker mahogany?
Mahogany recovered from logs that sank and sat underwater for decades before being pulled up and milled. Players and builders value it for a deeper, more complex sound than standard mahogany, and every set looks a little different.
How is this different from a standard Martin D-18?
A standard D-18 has a Sitka spruce top and standard mahogany back and sides. This Custom Shop build uses an Adirondack spruce top for more headroom and sinker mahogany for a deeper voice, plus a vintage-style aging toner, faux tortoise binding and a modified V neck.
Is it good for bluegrass?
Yes. An Adirondack top over mahogany is the classic bluegrass dreadnought pairing: the top keeps its clarity when you flatpick hard, and the mahogany keeps the low end strong and the midrange focused in a band.
Does it have a pickup?
No, it's a purely acoustic guitar. If you need a pickup, we can talk through options with you or point you to a Martin that comes with electronics.
Is it in stock?
Custom Shop builds are individual guitars, so the ones in the grid above are exactly what we have, each listing showing the instrument in its photos. If you don't see one, call or email us and we'll tell you what's coming.
Four people sit around a wooden table with microphones, laughing and talking in a cozy, rustic studio. Musical instruments and vintage decor are visible in the background, including a large sign that reads TAS.