Guys, this is a long one, so please bear with me. It’s not a rant. It’s a story.
This year has already been a pretty cool, and pretty crazy one for me in regards to guitars. In my search for an OM body, I stumbled across a used Breedlove American Series, which I put on layaway, only to have my mother-in-law pay it off for me! Then, when I had it in the shop getting a Baggs Lyric installed, someone unbeknownst to me called and paid for that install. Now how in the world do you top a story like that? Well, I’m about to tell you.
I have a group of guys that I do a Bible study with on Tuesdays. We call it the Taco Tuesday crew ($1 tacos are tough to beat), but it could just as easy be called the Guitar Guys or something, because 1/2 of us play guitar, and 1/2 of the 1/2 have serious issues with guitars (me being the chief offender). We had a get together a few weeks ago with all of our families, and in the midst of that, these brothers have me sit down with my family while they tell me how the Bible study has been such a blessing to them.
Then, they said that although this should probably be an intervention, they decided to just add fuel to the fire. One of them handed me a card and said “Here’s your Martin.” I about fell out. Literally. Who does this?
For three months, these guys had conspired (with my wife’s knowledge) to collect enough funds to get me the guitar, specifically the Martin, of my dreams. I never suspected a thing! They continued on with this plan even after I found the Breedlove and my in-laws picked it up for me. And guys, let me tell you, the week they did this was one of those weeks where you feel like a pretty worthless human being, where you feel like you don’t deserve the air you breathe. And into that came this completely unexpected gift! Can you believe this? I still can’t!
So to make a long story even longer, I thought about what I wanted to do. I know there’s been a lot of discussion round these parts lately about custom builds vs. big manufacturers, but for me, the D-18 has always been my dream guitar. For me, the combo of Mahogany and spruce is it. I just never thought I’d be able to afford one.
A month or so ago, just out of curiosity, I had contacted Paul at Music Villa to inquire about their custom run of D-18s, specifically if they had them in sunburst. Paul called me back and said they did in fact have one, but then he told me the price. I politely declined and said “maybe one day!” I have three kids and a mortgage! Not happening for me! But these friends of mine changed all that!
So I contacted Paul again, and again he got back to me. He made me a great deal on their MV Custom D-18 in sunburst, put a K&K in it and shipped it out the next day.
First look upon opening the case:
It came last night, and let me tell you, I had to make myself put it up at midnight so I could go to bed. Absolutely AMAZING guitar! If you’ve seen the videos they put out at the Acoustic Letter, I can say that the one they did for the D-18 is spot on accurate. This guitar is awesome! The thinner top and GE bracing makes it extremely responsive, but it will also take a heavy hand when you lay into it (and I strum HARD). The burst is beautiful (to me…I know, lots of threads on that topic round here!), and the neck…good Lord, the neck is BUTTER. Super easy to play, super hard to put down.
And i must say the K&K surprised me…I really like the tone I get! I’ll say it: you guys were right about those!
So in this season of Thanksgiving, and in light of some of the threads that have been going on, let me just say that I’m incredibly thankful for my friends, and I’m thankful for the variety of builders large and small that produce these amazing instruments we are all blessed to play. I know for many of you, this would not be your dream guitar, and I’m ok with that. It’s my dream! It’s my hope that you guys all find the one that plays, looks, and feels right to you, and that you’re thankful for the one you have! Happy thanksgiving guys!
Here are a few more pics...my iPhone and photography skills are pretty lame, so forgive me:
This is my best friend giving her a play:
