This 1996 Martin “Made for Rudy’s” Custom Shop 12-Fret D-18 in Natural is a custom-ordered dreadnought built with a 12-fret neck joint and a slightly shifted bridge placement, giving it a rounder low end and a more open response. The spruce top paired with the stunning quilted mahogany back and sides offers a clear fundamental with a dry, woody character and balanced projection across the range. The figuring is very similar to that of "The Tree," and while there is no way of officially confirming this, it is a distinct possibility given its construction era and comparable models. The shorter body-to-neck relationship typical of a 12-fret design contributes to a relaxed, full-bodied voice without excess brightness.
This example remains very clean overall, with the exception of a repaired back crack and a repaired crack along the endpin area. Both have been addressed and are stable. Outside of that work, the guitar shows minimal wear and has been well cared for. It stands as a straightforward custom shop D-18 with a slightly different feel and response compared to standard 14-fret versions.
Includes OHSC.