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#1
04-05-2018, 09:53 AM
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Martin D12-20
So, I have a chance to purchase a Martin D-12-20 that is a late '65 or early '66 build. The guitar looks to be in excellent shape other than looking like it needs a neck reset.It sounds nice. There is very little saddle left and the nut looks thin . I called Martin regarding neck reset and was told is could run in the $500 range.
The seller is asking $600 for the guitar. So any opinions? 
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#2
04-05-2018, 10:13 AM
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#3
04-05-2018, 10:31 AM
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I used to own one and have played another owned by a friend. My friends D12-20 was/is a spectacular 12 string. Maybe the best 12'er I've ever played. I bought mine after playing his. It needed a lot of work and when it was done it was a good sounding 12 string and played well. But it just did not have the magic of my friends guitar. These things happen. Maybe I should have held onto it a while longer, tried different strings, etc.. But I sold it. I also found the 12 string, slot head configuration a bit of a hassle. Re-stringing always entailed a lot of grumbling and a bit of blood loss.
For reference my 12 string guitars have included a Guild F512, 1512, a Martin and the current 12'er a 1969, Guild F-212 If you can get the guitar for under $600 and keep the rehab costs in the $500 range that's a pretty fair price. Good luck.
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#4
04-05-2018, 10:55 AM
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I have two D12-20s. Love'em.
A shop that has done the neck reset and fret replacements on a decent example will be asking $1800 to $2200, so the one you are looking at sounds like a really good deal. Reid
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#5
04-05-2018, 12:31 PM
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__________________
2018 Guild F-512 Sunburst -- 2007 Guild F412 Ice Tea burst 2002 Guild JF30-12 Whiskeyburst -- 2011 Guild F-50R Sunburst 2011 Guild GAD D125-12 NT -- 1972 Epiphone FT-160 12-string 2012 Epiphone Dot CH -- 2010 Epiphone Les Paul Standard trans amber 2013 Yamaha Motif XS7 Cougar's Soundcloud page
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#6
04-05-2018, 02:37 PM
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I've not had any experience with a 12, but this guitar looks interesting.
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#7
04-05-2018, 04:37 PM
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It seems like a reasonable way to get into the 12 string world. I don’t think you could go wrong if those numbers are right...especially a Martin! I don’t have any way to compare what a Martin D12-20 sounds like compared to others but since it is a 12 fret design it should have a warm and deep tone.... very desirable characteristics in a 12 string.
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Joe 6 string... Taylor GS7 Custom / GO 818e 1st Edition 12 string... Taylor GO 358e / Guild F512 (79) Baritone…. Guild 258e (8 string) Last edited by jemartin; 04-05-2018 at 04:42 PM.
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#8
04-05-2018, 06:38 PM
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I'm going to try to get the guitar to the local tech and have it looked over before a final decision is made.
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#9
04-05-2018, 06:48 PM
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For a 1st 12-string that's quite a high level starting point.
__________________
Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird
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#10
04-07-2018, 10:40 PM
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Well Hoglover, I have a 1970 D12-20. I've had it all these yrs and it still brings tears to my eyes when I play it. Well, almost, but you know what I mean!
It's a gorgeous, bright and chimey sound. It moves my soul. It's never had any work done to it and the neck is still perfectly straight. [IMG]  [/IMG]BTW, I find that using a light pick produces this sound the best. So, I guess I'd throw my hat in with the buy it camp! Good luck friend!
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#11
04-23-2018, 04:02 AM
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NOGD
Well, as a follow up I was able to purchase the Martin. A local tech thinks it's in excellent shape other that needing the neck reset. So, I'm sending it off to Martin.
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