1940 Martin 000-18 - Page 2

stevecuss · #16 11-26-2019, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanmik0503

I am in Rhode Island. I just contacted Noll Guitars to see if they'd take a look. And other suggestions would be appreciated!

The Music Emporium in MA is an hour from Providence. Not sure where in RI you are, but they are quality folks with experience in vintage Martins.

Wade Hampton · #17 11-26-2019, 03:49 PM

Sanmik, he's lowballing you on the guitar's value and highballing you on the repairs. While the restoration of the guitar might indeed end up costing around what he estimates, once completed the guitar will be worth significantly more than $3000.

From where I sit, it appears that he's trying to get you to sell him the guitar for less than it's worth so he can turn around and sell it for a much higher price.

Go elsewhere. Don't be surprised if the repairs do end up costing around what your sleazeball lowballer has estimated, but if the guitar is restored carefully it should be worth somewhere in the low five figures once the work is done, possibly more.

Hope this helps.

Wade Hampton Miller

Osage · #18 11-26-2019, 04:06 PM

There are maybe 5 people in the country I would trust with a good pre war Martin. TJ Thompson in Maynard Mass is at the top of that list. He's the worlds leading authority on vintage Martin restoration. A 1940 000 is worth bringing to him. He's not cheap by any means but his work will pay for itself if you go to sell it as all serious Martin collectors know his work and will be happy that he did it. Flip Scipio, who splits his time between Brooklyn and Martha's Vineyard is the other person in the Northeast that I would trust with that guitar.

Osage · #19 11-26-2019, 04:11 PM

One thing about value. If the guitar has been refinished, the value takes a pretty serious hit. Like 50%. Same if it has had a headstock repair. A replaced bridge plate is going to knock a couple grand off the price as well. Basically any modification will hurt the value. I often see people who have "issues" guitars that think they're worth what a non issues one would fetch and they end up being pretty disappointed in what they can actually sell the guitar for. That said, if they offered you $1500, that is a low ball price unless the guitar has major issues and modifications. If it's refinished, has a headstock repair and replaced bridge plate and also needs all the work stated, it's probably a fair offer from a store but I'm doubting that that's the case.

Teleplucker · #20 11-26-2019, 04:21 PM

Send it to TJ Thompson, he's in Mass. You will never regret it. His work is second to none and he is arguably "the" authority on the repair of vintage Martin guitars.

keith.rogers · #21 11-26-2019, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osage

One thing about value. If the guitar has been refinished, the value takes a pretty serious hit. Like 50%. Same if it has had a headstock repair. A replaced bridge plate is going to knock a couple grand off the price as well. Basically any modification will hurt the value. ....

Right. I think most of us were assuming this guitar was still in original, if old and well-used, condition. If grandpa (or other well-intended but not competent person) "fixed" the guitar over the course of its lifetime, then it's an entirely different matter.

stevecuss · #22 11-26-2019, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teleplucker

Send it to TJ Thompson, he's in Mass. You will never regret it. His work is second to none and he is arguably "the" authority on the repair of vintage Martin guitars.

+1. Any Martin collector worth her or his salt knows of TJ Thompson. If he does the repairs, that will be highly appealing to a collector. His estimate of value will be fair and accurate.

TJNies · #23 11-26-2019, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Sanmik, he's lowballing you on the guitar's value and highballing you on the repairs. While the restoration of the guitar might indeed end up costing around what he estimates, once completed the guitar will be worth significantly more than $3000.

From where I sit, it appears that he's trying to get you to sell him the guitar for less than it's worth so he can turn around and sell it for a much higher price.

These were exactly my thoughts.

Maryc-k · #24 11-26-2019, 07:55 PM

Expect to pay at least what the shop quoted you if you go to TJ. He also has a long wait list, and you will need to verify if he is taking new clients.

The Music Emporium uses a number of luthiers to do repair work, including TJ, but for something like this contact Glenn Nichols. He is on the South Shore of Boston and his information can be found here: http://retrograde-guitars.com

He spends one day a week at Bill Tippin's shop doing repairs for Bill. He has a lot of experience having managed the finish work for Santa Cruz, Kenny Hill etc while he was living on the West Coast. Glenn also makes great guitars.

TME also uses Matt Arcara, who is in Portland (Maine). I've bought several vintage pieces that Matt has restored, as well as a number of his guitars. He does fine work.

In the 25 plus years that I have been buying and selling guitars I will tell you that a neck reset is not a neck reset is not a not a neck reset, meaning that I have seen some pretty bad reset work, as well as some ugly repairs. I think for a vintage Martin restoration you need to have it done right, by the right individual. It may take some time to get the guitar back, so you need to prepare yourself for a bit of a wait. Most of these guys are backed up with work. Some may even turn you away.

As for the price the shop quoted you on value, the values on-line are all over the place. I think it depends on the condition, whether you have the original case, if the bridge plate has been replaced, etc. There are so many variables, and to be honest, I am not sure Reverb is the right place to be looking at vintage prices. If you really want to know how much its worth, I'd take it to the Music Emporium and get an evaluation. They may even be able to guide you to a luthier who can do the restorations, and they will be able to give you a ball park idea of what it is going to take to get it restored.

mcduffnw · #25 11-26-2019, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maryc-k

Expect to pay at least what the shop quoted you if you go to TJ. He also has a long wait list, and you will need to verify if he is taking new clients.

The Music Emporium uses a number of luthiers to do repair work, including TJ, but for something like this contact Glenn Nichols. He is on the South Shore of Boston and his information can be found here: http://retrograde-guitars.com

He spends one day a week at Bill Tippin's shop doing repairs for Bill. He has a lot of experience having managed the finish work for Santa Cruz, Kenny Hill etc while he was living on the West Coast. Glenn also makes great guitars.

TME also uses Matt Arcara, who is in Portland (Maine). I've bought several vintage pieces that Matt has restored, as well as a number of his guitars. He does fine work.

In the 25 plus years that I have been buying and selling guitars I will tell you that a neck reset is not a neck reset is not a not a neck reset, meaning that I have seen some pretty bad reset work, as well as some ugly repairs. I think for a vintage Martin restoration you need to have it done right, by the right individual. It may take some time to get the guitar back, so you need to prepare yourself for a bit of a wait. Most of these guys are backed up with work. Some may even turn you away.

As for the price the shop quoted you on value, the values on-line are all over the place. I think it depends on the condition, whether you have the original case, if the bridge plate has been replaced, etc. There are so many variables, and to be honest, I am not sure Reverb is the right place to be looking at vintage prices. If you really want to know how much its worth, I'd take it to the Music Emporium and get an evaluation. They may even be able to guide you to a luthier who can do the restorations, and they will be able to give you a ball park idea of what it is going to take to get it restored.

I think this^^^ is the best advice you could get. TME will treat you right and really help you figure out what you want to do with your wonderful vintage Martin.

I would echo what everyone said about TJ...he is truly brilliant...but he is usually truly backed way up on his wait list...at times it has been literally years long...not sure what his time is like now.

Again...TME will really help you in an honest and truthful way. Don't go back to that other shop again...please...

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

Teleplucker · #26 11-27-2019, 08:40 AM

My recent and only experience with TJ Thompson was a little different. I acquired a 30's Martin guitar that needed a lot of work ( neck reset, refret, fix one small crack in back, fill and reslot bridge, new saddle etc) the bill was about $2500. The guitar plays like a dream and it plays in tune all over the neck. It took about 6 months from the time he got the guitar till I had it back.

He will tell you that he can not give a "real" estimate until he sees the guitar. I do agree that TME also has very knowledgeable folks that can help you and give you honest advice.

mcduffnw · #27 11-27-2019, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teleplucker

My recent and only experience with TJ Thompson was a little different. I acquired a 30's Martin guitar that needed a lot of work ( neck reset, refret, fix one small crack in back, fill and reslot bridge, new saddle etc) the bill was about $2500. The guitar plays like a dream and it plays in tune all over the neck. It took about 6 months from the time he got the guitar till I had it back.

He will tell you that he can not give a "real" estimate until he sees the guitar. I do agree that TME also has very knowledgeable folks that can help you and give you honest advice.

Well Teleplucker that is great news on his working time now!!!

BUT...notice the price he charged. That is easily 1K over what most other qualified...and there are other very qualified restoration experts...would charge.

Now, for the collector, wheeler dealer, TJ is worth the money because he is known as "The Best of The Best"...but...if you are planning on keeping the guitar in the family as a player, is spending absolute top top dollar on repairs the best, smartest move for you?

If you are planning on selling it, then yes, yes it would be the best move to go to TJ if he has room on his work list to take you on.

Again, TME will help you figure that out. Good folks.

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

Goodallboy · #28 11-27-2019, 10:07 AM

IMO, prices quoted for neck reset and re-fret are in line with what a highly qualified luthier would charge in Nashville.

Can’t speak to the other prices but with a 1940 Martin I wouldn’t be shopping for the cheapest price for the work you need. If you do, you’ll probably get what you paid for.

mcduffnw · #29 11-27-2019, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodallboy

IMO, prices quoted for neck reset and re-fret are in line with what a highly qualified luthier would charge in Nashville.

Can’t speak to the other prices but with a 1940 Martin I wouldn’t be shopping for the cheapest price for the work you need. If you do, you’ll probably get what you paid for.

Perhaps...but...TJ is not cheap, never has been. His pricing is at the high end of the spectrum to sure. He is definitely WELL worth the cost in some situations, but not necessarily every situation.

Again, if the family is going to sell the guitar, TJ is definitely the choice I would make if he is taking on work right now.

If the family is keeping the guitar for a family heirloom/player, I would explore other options as well. TME will get it right for OP.

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

Goodallboy · #30 11-27-2019, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcduffnw

Perhaps...but...TJ is not cheap, never has been. His pricing is at the high end of the spectrum to sure. He is definitely WELL worth the cost in some situations, but not necessarily every situation.

Again, if the family is going to sell the guitar, TJ is definitely the choice I would make if he is taking on work right now.

If the family is keeping the guitar for a family heirloom/player, I would explore other options as well. TME will get it right for OP.

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

To be clear I was referencing the prices the OP was quoted. I only know of TJ's stellar reputation and wasn't endorsing his pricing on that particular repair.

If I could afford it I wouldn't treat the guitar any different whether I was selling it or keeping it. I would want it in the best condition I could afford to put it in. Someday it's likely to be sold and it would be in optimum condition to bring the best price, probably enough to cover the higher quality repair.

I wouldn't deal with the dealer in the OP's original post.

OP, you might check out John Levan, in Nashville. He's a restoration specialist who restored a couple of instruments in the Country Music Hall of Fame.