Will i find a 30's Martin 000-18 for under ~$9-10k?

[jgottsman11]

My budget is $5k and believe the 40's is my era for a 000-18 for that budget. There is no chance of me ever finding a 30's for around that price correct?

[rsmillbern]

It is not an 000-18, but I play this last weekend and it had a pretty sweet tone.

http://n-a-g.info/index.php?option=c...category_id=85

[gregsguitars]

Not without one having a lot of work done to it, 50 era 000's are more reasonable but still a little higher than 5K , most 40 era 000's are in the 8K and higher range. Repairs are OK as long as the work that was done is correct, back and side cracks do not bother me at all but I shy away from any acoustics with top cracks(JMO).

[blindboyjimi]

My 1937 000-18 was just shy of $10K. It has about 5 very tight top cracks repaired with 3 tiny cleats. The top has been oversprayed. The back, sides, nut, saddle, bridge, bridge plate, tuners, case, etc are all original. It is my favorite guitar even over my mint ‘33 OM as I prefer short scale. The overspray and the top cracks will scare off enough folks to devalue the guitar over a mint one, but to me as a collector and a player the tone is unaffected by the top cracks and who knows what it would’ve sounded like prior to the overspray but I know how great it sounds today. After I had it restored by David Eichelbaum (who Todd used too in your other thread) it has been rock solid and needed no extra work or care since. Best of luck.

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by blindboyjimi

My 1937 000-18 was just shy of $10K. It has about 5 very tight top cracks repaired with 3 tiny cleats. The top has been oversprayed. The back, sides, nut, saddle, bridge, bridge plate, tuners, case, etc are all original. It is my favorite guitar even over my mint ‘33 OM as I prefer short scale. The overspray and the top cracks will scare off enough folks to devalue the guitar over a mint one, but to me as a collector and a player the tone is unaffected by the top cracks and who knows what it would’ve sounded like prior to the overspray but I know how great it sounds today. After I had it restored by David Eichelbaum (who Todd used too in your other thread) it has been rock solid and needed no extra work or care since. Best of luck.

Wonderful.

I am looking at this 46, no cracks or repairs all original on reverb

https://reverb.com/item/6524532-mart...8-1946-natural

[HHP]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

Wonderful.

I am looking at this 46, no cracks or repairs all original on reverb

https://reverb.com/item/6524532-mart...8-1946-natural

If he can't tell if that case is original, not sure he's too up to speed on vintage Martins.

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by HHP

If he can't tell if that case is original, not sure he's too up to speed on vintage Martins.

the guitar itself is in wonderful condition. he gave me more pics of it. From what you can see, is the case original?

[blindboyjimi]

Originally Posted by HHP

If he can't tell if that case is original, not sure he's too up to speed on vintage Martins.

I think you need to know what the action is, how the frets are and if the bridge and bridge plate are in original and great shape. The guitar itself looks very nice outwardly, but on vintage guitars, I’d want to know where I stand so I can figure what the guitar needs. Figure $350-$400 for a neck re-set, and $350 for a re-fret, a few bucks for possible loose braces and you should be good for about $1,000 to get it to play as new. If you are ok with the 40’s 1 11/16” nut width and 2 1/8” saddle spacing then you’d be in great shape at offering $4,500 and assuming about $1K worst case for repairs assuming the bridge and bridge plate are original and in great shape. That’d be a sweet guitar all in at $5,500. A 1966 000-18 started my vintage guitar journey. But definitely find out what work has been done, by whom and what needs to be done. Then make sure you have a 72hr approval bring it to someone with loads of VINTAGE Martin experience, not a Martin Authorized repair center, but a true vintage guy.

[HHP]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

the guitar itself is in wonderful condition. he gave me more pics of it. From what you can see, is the case original?

Not even close. Buying something like this without having it in hand first, from someone who may not be in a position to truly evaluate it, is a big crapshoot. It will like turn out great or very expensive.

[Tahitijack]

Are you going to pay $5,000.00 for a guitar without playing it? You are very trusting. More things can go wrong than right. Good luck!

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by blindboyjimi

I think you need to know what the action is, how the frets are and if the bridge and bridge plate are in original and great shape. The guitar itself looks very nice outwardly, but on vintage guitars, I’d want to know where I stand so I can figure what the guitar needs. Figure $350-$400 for a neck re-set, and $350 for a re-fret, a few bucks for possible loose braces and you should be good for about $1,000 to get it to play as new. If you are ok with the 40’s 1 11/16” nut width and 2 1/8” saddle spacing then you’d be in great shape at offering $4,500 and assuming about $1K worst case for repairs assuming the bridge and bridge plate are original and in great shape. That’d be a sweet guitar all in at $5,500. A 1966 000-18 started my vintage guitar journey. But definitely find out what work has been done, by whom and what needs to be done. Then make sure you have a 72hr approval bring it to someone with loads of VINTAGE Martin experience, not a Martin Authorized repair center, but a true vintage guy.

the action is 2.5mm (just over 3/32") at the 12th

from the pics he sent me the bridge is original and in great shape.

To the thread title, you can absolutely find a 30's 000-18 under $10k. It won't be pristine, but can certainly be mostly original but with some wear and good repairs.

The '46 looks pretty much original from the photos, but of course I'd want to see it up close before pronouncing it in fact original. The case is from the 60's or later. If it is as nice as it looks, under $5k is a good deal.

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

To the thread title, you can absolutely find a 30's 000-18 under $10k. It won't be pristine, but can certainly be mostly original but with some wear and good repairs.

The '46 looks pretty much original from the photos, but of course I'd want to see it up close before pronouncing it in fact original. The case is from the 60's or later. If it is as nice as it looks, under $5k is a good deal.

the owner had it appraised at Guitar Czar in Utah and they deemed it in excellent condition and all original and the value was in the high 5's. I'm very tempted to buy it

[jgottsman11]

Would anyone be willing to look at the pictures i was sent to confirm originality?

[justonwo]

This page should give you a pretty good idea. I think you’re looking at post 30s for sure.

http://om28.com/ProductList?page=next