What's the word on a '60 Martin 000-18 ?

[haslar]

Hi !!

A luthier friend of mine has this guitar in his store, I haven't had the chance to check it out yet but will in a week's time or so.

It's a '60 Martin 000-18.

My friend told me the tuners are the only thing non-original on that guitar, and that it is a no-issues instrument.










Are these Martin considered to have a good reputation?

Any particular things to check out?

He wants 3500 euros for it, about $5k.

Thanks !

[RockinB23]

I haven't played that exact model from that year but I have played both a D-28 and a D-18 from 1960 and they were both spectacular guitars!! I would imagine this 000 would be no different. Back in 1960 Martin wasn't building a ton of guitars yet, I think 65 was the first year were they really jumped up in production also in 60 they were still using hide glue which IMO makes a difference. Martin has been building great sounding guitars for a long time and they have way way more good years than they did bad for sure.

[smiert spionam]

Gorgeous. Those tuners have to go, though. $5k might be a hair on the higher side in the US, though a guitar that clean is always going to be higher.

Play it and see if you fall in love. If you do, you'll have to figure out how to make it happen.

[esoteric pete]

IME seeing the wound part of the bottom of the string popping up past the bridge pins means that the bridgeplate on the underside of the top may be a bit chewed up. get in there with a mirror.

[Ogre]

The price would be considered very high here in the states. It is, however, desirable as it is from the old North St. factory.

[musicofanatic5]

That era means long saddle, Brazilian rosewood, tortoise-colored 'guard and binding. These are all desirable features to me. Horrible shame about the tuners, though. If it sounds and plays right, and you've got the dough, then go!

[MikeD]

Actually, it's an 18 so it's a mahogany guitar, not Brazilian RW. The guitar is basically an OM with a short scale (24.9) with a 1 11/16" width nut with a Brazilian fingerboard and bridge. The bridge looks like it may have been off at some point in time, so I would check to see if it's a replacement rather than the original. I agree the bridge plate should be checked based on how the strings (E & A) are sitting up against the saddle... might need repair or replacement. I have a 000-18 from 1943 and it's a cannon of a guitar. This guitar would be built a bit heavier, but should still be a descent instrument. The price seems a little ambitious... but you can always negotiate, right? I would also check for signs of over spraying and/or refinishing, since that guitar looks mighty shiny for being over 50 years old.

[musicofanatic5]

Originally Posted by MikeD

Actually, it's an 18 so it's a mahogany guitar, not Brazilian RW. The guitar is basically an OM with a short scale (24.9) with a 1 11/16" width nut with a Brazilian fingerboard and bridge. The bridge looks like it may have been off at some point in time, so I would check to see if it's a replacement rather than the original. I agree the bridge plate should be checked based on how the strings (E & A) are sitting up against the saddle... might need repair or replacement. I have a 000-18 from 1943 and it's a cannon of a guitar. This guitar would be built a bit heavier, but should still be a descent instrument. The price seems a little ambitious... but you can always negotiate, right? I would also check for signs of over spraying and/or refinishing, since that guitar looks mighty shiny for being over 50 years old.

Thanks Mike; I am hip to the wood types associated with Martin models. I was referring to the bridge and fingerboard in my mention of rosewood.

[GuitarsFromMars]

Originally Posted by smiert spionam

Gorgeous. Those tuners have to go, though. $5k might be a hair on the higher side in the US, though a guitar that clean is always going to be higher.

Play it and see if you fall in love. If you do, you'll have to figure out how to make it happen.

You can get tuner bushings and a set of Grover Sta-Tites from StewMac, for not much money, and as long as the bridge plate is not chewed up too much, this is potentially a wonderful instrument.

I have a '59 0-15 that is excellent, this is a nice looking piece.

[t.glaze]

i have a '61 martin 000-18 and it is my favorite acoustic guitar,
sounds wonderful.
t

[haslar]

Wow thanks guys for the insight.
It is much appreciated.

What should I check on the underside of the bridge?
That the wood block is in good condition (no cracks, pieces of damaged wood, things like that)?

[RustyAxe]

Two friends have early 60's 000-18's ... great sounding guitars, louder than you expect a small body to be. I'd dump those tuners for a set of Waverly open back tuners, though. It looks in good shape otherwise, but can't really tell from the pictures what the neck angle and action look like. I agree that the bridge plate, and everything else should be carefully inspected. $5K USD would be high in the States.

[smiert spionam]

Good advice on double-checking the finish. In the US, that $5k price could only be justified by being exceptionally clean and original (except for the tuners) -- the value would drop dramatically if it's been oversprayed or refinned.

The condition of the bridge plate could be an indicator. For a guitar that looks that clean, I'd expect it to be pretty clean. If the bridge plate is in rough shape, that would make me want to pause and take a closer look at the finish.

[facesfan]

Everbody is being a bit timid about the crazy price....it's WAY high. If it needs any kind of work and tuners aren't right that first number would have to start with a 3 or a 2 not a 5. Having said that,I owned a 66 that was one of the best guitars I've ever owned but I'd never give anything approaching 5K to get it back...that's crazy talk.Richard Thompson did all those early Linda and solo recordings on a 65 000-18 I think so you can hear one at it's best by listening to those.

[smiert spionam]

In general, I agree about the price, but there are two extra variables: he's in Europe, so prices are generally higher to start with, and the dollar has been sliding against the euro. The exchange rate has added an extra $1000 to the price in USD over the past few years. Still, I think caution is good advice here.