For Sale: 2005 Martin D18GE (Kimseyfied)

[Mcbrinitzer]

Excellent+ condition. Serial No. 1196756, late 2005 build. $2600, shipped to CONUS. No significant bumps or bruises; case is brand new. The Beast was until last year Bryan Kimsey's personal guitar and the one he modifies in a series of YouTube videos and compares to '37 & '39 D18As. In his email reply to me, he commented that "I've owned 4 GEs and that is the best of the bunch. The neck is just a hair slimmer and rounded at the fingerboard. Really nice". Of course, it has all his well-known modifications, including:

• Bridge removed, finished scraped away, and the bridge re-glued directly to the top with hide glue

• Drop-in slot filled and re-cut as a true vintage and a new bone saddle glued in

• Bridge slotted and pins replaced with black water buffalo bridge pins

• Popsicle brace removed with the L-shaped truss rod cover left in place to provide some support. Bryan: "What I as a player heard here was a "shimmer" to the sound and I really think I feel the neck vibrating more. The whole guitar just suddenly felt more alive in my hands."

• Rear back braces were shaved down to Martin pre-1990s height. Bryan: "This is where I personally heard (and felt) the most difference. The tone got richer, and the back kicked me in the ribs"

• Beautiful custom tortoise shell (type) pickguard

I've done my own AB comparison with '37 & '39 Martin D18A's. The '37 neck is way to beefy for me, and this GE neck profile lies between the '37 & '39. Both the "A"s were dryer sounding; the Kimsey mods warm the sound and add a little of the complexity and shimmer you find in a D28. I much preferred this GE. Will forward additional pics upon request along with YouTube links to Bryan's videos. This guitar is simply amazing and I am reluctantly posting this, but I'm playing more acoustic-electric lead in my band these days and retooling my gear in that direction. To that end, I just bought an Alvarez/Yairi MMY1 from a forum member here last week.

[Idaho guitarist]

Hello,
Please forward pics to [email protected].
Thank you.
Steve

[$ongWriter]

Hey...would love to see pictures...
[email protected]
Thanks