1978 D-18

[OOO Martin]

I just learned of a Martin D-18 for sale. My new neighbor mentioned that she's got her late mother's Martin guitar and wants to sell it. I took a look, and according to its serial number, it's a 1978. It was hardly used by the mother, and it's sat in its original molded Martin case for years. This guitar is in like-new condition! And it feels and sounds great.

I can probably get this guitar for a very good price. But I did some research and I'm now concerned about bridge/intonation issues and the non-adjustable truss rod situation in some 1970s Martins.

What should my concerns be?

[Br1ck]

None. You are getting it for a good price. The intonation is off on many of these. The bridge is generally moved back. It will leave a line. All Martins did not have adjustable truss rods well into the eighties. It could well be that the guitar is in such good shape someone will tell you not to fix it. Worst case is you sell it to a collector and buy something else. If you make a pile on it, split the profit with your friend..

I'd buy it and get it fixed so it intonates well. Bryan Kimsey has a ton of videos explaining this. He generally does less the better shape the guitar is in.

[Wade Hampton]

The intonation problems at Martin were caused by worn tooling that needed to be replaced but hadn’t been. That problem had long since been identified and corrected by the time this D-18 was built.

However, as Brick mentioned, there can still sometimes be problems with the intonation with Martin guitars from the late 70’s. Instead of being caused by faulty tooling, however, it’s usually caused by the neckset geometry shifting and changing over the decades. If that is a problem with this instrument, it can be corrected.

But if it’s as near-mint as you describe it, it might not be an issue at all.

1970’s Martins get badmouthed a lot more than they deserve, in my opinion. They could be a bit hit or miss, especially those built during the earliest years of the decade, but they were still the finest factory-made steel string acoustic guitars on the market at the time.


Wade Hampton Miller

[pdx]

If you go to Bryan Kinsey’s website, there is a cost breakdown of standard repairs to 70’s Martins. Sounds like the frets are fine, but a reset, bridge relocation if the intonation is off, and possibly a bridge plate removal would be in order.

[Wade Hampton]

Before we sign him up for Bryan Kimsey’s extensive laundry list of guitar modifications, let’s assume for a moment that the guitar is precisely as he’s described it and is in near-mint condition, shall we? I have played PLENTY of 1970’s Martins that were in exquisite condition and had no intonation problems whatsoever.

1970’s Martins really, truly do not automatically require major modifications in order to be playable.

It’s always a good idea to let a professional guitar repair tech take a look at guitars like these, in case there are some unseen problems, but just because it’s from the dreaded 1970’s it doesn’t mean that it’s a basket case or requires any modifications at all.


whm

[budglo]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Before we sign him up for Bryan Kimsey’s extensive laundry list of guitar modifications, let’s assume for a moment that the guitar is precisely as he’s described it and is in near-mint condition, shall we? I have played PLENTY of 1970’s Martins that were in exquisite condition and had no intonation problems whatsoever.

1970’s Martins really, truly do not automatically require major modifications in order to be playable.

It’s always a good idea to let a professional guitar repair tech take a look at guitars like these, in case there are some unseen problems, but just because it’s from the dreaded 1970’s it doesn’t mean that it’s a basket case or requires any modifications at all.


whm

Totally agree. Last summer I bought a 72 D35 after hearing how horrible these were. After doing some research I pulled the trigger and it didn’t need a refret or neck reset. Heck the previous owner had the pickguard repaired that had started curling up. The only thing it needed was the innotation was off by 1/16th. They moved the saddle back and you can’t really tell it as touched. It is one of the best playing and sounding guitars I have ever played. If it ain’t broke.... well you know the rest.

[RP]

Originally Posted by OOO Martin

...What should my concerns be?

Somebody else buying it before you decide....

[pdx]

My 75 D18’s intonation is off by 1/8”, it could go for a reset and refret, it has a bridge plate the size of Texas, but it still sounds pretty good. Hope for the best but prepare your wallet for repairs just in case. If it needs $1k to get it up to snuff, so be it, just be aware and spend accordingly.

[Wade Hampton]

The main benefit of the endless doom and gloom about 1970's Martins on guitar forums is that it keeps the prices on them lower than if there was no badmouthing going on. I'm not trying to belittle the issues with your D-18, pdx, because those are things that the alert buyer should watch out for.

But Martin made many wonderful guitars in the 1970's, as well, and that often gets ignored entirely on threads like this one. That's all I'm trying to say.


whm

[pdx]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

The main benefit of the endless doom and gloom about 1970's Martins on guitar forums is that it keeps the prices on them lower than if there was no badmouthing going on. I'm not trying to belittle the issues with your D-18, pdx, because those are things that the alert buyer should watch out for.

But Martin made many wonderful guitars in the 1970's, as well, and that often gets ignored entirely on threads like this one. That's all I'm trying to say.


whm

Completely true. Any guitar with those issues that still sounds good is a good thing. On the flip side, my guitar weighs in under 4lbs, has an amazingly full neck and the relief is perfect.

[Borderdon]

The materials used in the construction of ‘70’s Martins is very high quality, generally speaking.
That most of them are excellent instruments is no surprise.

[Dominick]

Originally Posted by OOO Martin

What should my concerns be?

Welcome to the forum OOO
A good read that should address most of your concerns:
https://reverb.com/news/70s-martins-...u-need-to-know

[zombywoof]

As already noted, the main issue I have seen expressed has to do with the oversized rosewood bridge plates.

[Br1ck]

While Bryan Kimsey has modified many a 70s D 18, even he is reluctant to modify one in pristine condition. They are likely to increase in value over time, where in thirty years a shaved brace guitar could be players grade.

But I agree that each instrument should be evaluated in hand, and if you never venture out of cowboy chord land, the intonation issue is no big deal.

It is nowhere near the minefield 60s and 70s Gibsons are.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

It is nowhere near the minefield 60s and 70s Gibsons are.

And aren't we glad!


whm