Gunnar Nelson of Nelson and First Born Sons told us about his love for his Martin 1937 D18 Authentic Acoustic guitar.
Gunnar Nelson: I found my #1 at Carter Vintage here in Nashville a few years ago when I really wasn’t in the position to buy another guitar… with my pending divorce and all. But five minutes alone with it, and I HAD to have it. So much so, that I traded five guitars I loved for it, and it was the best deal I’ve ever done.
Most players would agree that acoustics are all individuals, and their appeal is subjective. But this one… this one is perfect. Everyone who’s heard it and played it agrees across the board. All mahogany, hide glue, the most simple appointments on a guitar that Martin offers. But the notes explode off of the strings effortlessly--full, rich, and balanced.
Even the single notes played on it sound like chords. It’s become my most trusted and relief-upon friend. It calls to me, begging me to pick it up and write. I’ve written well over 200 great songs on it in the past two years. I swear- if my house were on fire, I’d just grab my Pop’s hand-written lyrics to Garden Party off of my living room wall, and my D18 Authentic on its stand by my bed. Everything else can burn.
Nelson recently signed with Frontiers Music. Look out for more from them soon.
Photo by Kristin Barlow
