1974 D-28/D18

tcanaday · #1 10-29-2020, 11:19 AM

Does any one happen to know of any period where Martin put out D-18's with D-28/D-35 Appointments?

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ms...209202078.html

Check out this link, this seems to be a D-18, but has white binding all around.

The seller says that the guitar has no serial number.

If anyone has any ideas about this I would love to get some feedback.

Dogma · #2 10-29-2020, 01:27 PM

Assuming this reverb photo is correct, I notice a few things in addition to the binding issue you mention:
https://reverb.com/price-guide/guide...8-1974-natural

another photo:
https://www.folkwaymusic.com/museum/...artin-d18-0614

First, the pick guard on the Craigslist guitar does not look quite right. Too much curve at the bottom end and not as smooth on the big curve. I don't know how consistent they were at that time so this could be irrelevant.

Reverb/Folkway shows rosewood FB and bridge.

It's hard to tell if the purfling is the same.

White bound fretboard on the CR guitar (maybe that's part of what you mean by "all around")

Martin geeks?

pagedr · #3 10-29-2020, 02:09 PM

Bound fretboard means it's likely a D-35. Ask for pictures of the back, it should be three pieces.

Misifus · #4 10-29-2020, 02:55 PM

That does not have the three piece back of a D-35. You can see through the sound hole there’s only a single center reinforcing strip.

Mr Bojangles · #5 10-29-2020, 02:56 PM

Those sides look like Rosewood, not Mahogany. But if it really has no serial number, something is "dreadfully" wrong.

Dogma · #6 10-29-2020, 09:16 PM

Looks like Mahogany to me!

pagedr · #7 10-29-2020, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misifus

That does not have the three piece back of a D-35. You can see through the sound hole there’s only a single center reinforcing strip.

Ah you're right. Weird then, it definitely looks like it has rosewood sides, and 18 style guitars don't have white binding. Maybe just a D-28 with fretboard binding added? Or some sort of elaborate fake.

egordon99 · #8 10-30-2020, 07:42 AM

No serial number and a D18/D28/D35 mash-up? I vote fake.

Matt_21 · #9 10-30-2020, 08:01 AM

Maybe a kit build?

westview · #10 10-30-2020, 08:21 AM

It's definitely not a D-28. I have a 1974 D-28.
As stated, only the D-35 had white binding around the fretboard.
The 74 D-28 had three black and white circles around the sound hole.
The picture shows two black circles, and one black/white circle.
No serial number says a lot.

akwingnut · #11 10-30-2020, 08:29 AM

This guitar was recently discussed over on a Martin-focused forum. A previous owner said that it was sold to him as an "employee guitar".

Different, but cool. It reminds me of my custom D-18GE/HD-28VS hybrid.

archerscreek · #12 10-30-2020, 08:29 AM

A couple of thoughts. First, I don’t think the person posting the ad knows much, so they probably don’t know where the serial number is. They are probably looking for it on the outside. Second, if I had nothing better to do and it was close by, I might check it out in person to see if there actually is a serial number. That said, I would also assume I would have to invest at least $500 to fix the cracks, the likely intonation issues and possible neck reset, so I’d probably conclude it wasn’t worth the hassle.

westview · #13 10-30-2020, 08:31 AM

Doesn't a D-18 have black trim around the front and back?

aeisen93 · #14 10-30-2020, 08:33 AM

I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a Martin from someone that doesn't even know if it's a D-18 or D-28...

Zigeuner · #15 10-30-2020, 08:35 AM

That guitar is under discussion elsewhere. It's basically a Mahogany D-18 with D-35 binding. Thus, it's either a conversion/modification or a Martin employee-built guitar. Sadly, the seller says that it has no serial number. No serial number, no thank you. LOL.