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#1
06-02-2010, 10:32 AM
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NGD - 1937 Sunburst Martin Archtop
Hi Gang,
I thought i'd show a few pictures of my new guitar. It's a 1937 Martin R-18. These aren't as popular as some of their pre-war siblings, but it really spoke to me. It just has a really lovely tone, to me anyway. I had a chance to play a few a couple years ago and they were very hit and miss. When I played this one, it just felt right. It's been played but is overall in great shape for a guitar of it's age. No cracks or anything like that. The setup is incredible and it's all original except for the pickguard which is an exact replica of the original. It has a carved spruce top (I'm thinking Adirondack) with mahogany back and sides. Here are a few pictures... now back to playing it  The headstock...  The front...  Full front...  Close up...  The back...  Here's a photo of it next to my other Martin - a '61 00-18 for size comparison...  Kindly, Danny 
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#2
06-02-2010, 12:55 PM
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A sentimental favorite for me. My first guitar was a pre-War Martin R-18. Some friends of my parents had it sitting around in a closet, knew I wanted a guitar and so gave it to me as a birthday gift.
Did I appreciate it? - Of, course not. Come 1964 I saw the Beatles with those electric guitars. Man I had to get me one of those. Could not afford one and there was no way my parents were going to buy me one but I did score a freebie DeAramond 210 pickup from a friend's older brother. Never gave it a second thought that I was trying to attach a pickup meant for a flatop guitar to an archtop. I butchered that poor Martin.
__________________
"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard
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#4
06-02-2010, 01:45 PM
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Congratulations and have fun - looks like a fantastic guitar! Post some sound of it, if you have the chance, would love to hear it.
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#6
06-02-2010, 03:29 PM
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Sweet. Looks like a Slope D Archtop! Everyone needs a cool archtop
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#8
06-02-2010, 06:07 PM
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My Lord...that's beautiful. There's not enough words to do her justice.
Congrats!!!! Jim
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#10
06-03-2010, 12:00 PM
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That is a very beautiful old lady for sure.
If I remember correctly someone took one of those and replaced the top with a flat spruce top. The resulting guitar was later purchased by David Bromberg. Martin eventually released a production version of it called the 0000, later changed it to the M designation. Then again, maybe I got the story all wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. Someone please correct me if I got it wrong. In any case, that is one very mint Martin. Enjoy.
__________________
"Vintage taste, reissue budget"
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#11
06-03-2010, 01:01 PM
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Wow, Danny,
Nice guitars, great photos. That would be a fun guitar to play! - Glenn
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#14
06-03-2010, 04:07 PM
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Thanks, guys! I've really been enjoying it. It's been a busy day and I haven't had a chance to play it today... this evening will be nice.
Drive-South, I think you're correct. Although, I don't think it was the "R" series that was re-topped, but one of the larger Arcthops. Kindly, Danny
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#15
06-03-2010, 05:37 PM
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DriveSouth, & Danny,
It was David Bromberg who had an F-7 (I believe it was) who had it modified to a flattop, and if I remember correctly Jon Lundberg did the work. Last edited by Nort; 06-04-2010 at 01:22 PM.
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