Fair Price For A D-18?

CoffeeFan · #1 10-08-2019, 07:05 PM

I found a local guy selling a 2015 Martin D-18.

From the photos it looks nice enough. There don't seem to be any issues with it. It looks like it has Waverly's on it. Nothing seems amiss about the listing or the seller. Looks like he wants to sell it to fund another purchase, but he's also open to trades (I would be a cash buyer, though).

He's only willing to do a local sale.

What's a fair price for one of these in excellent condition? It's been listed for a few days...

Mbroady · #2 10-08-2019, 07:20 PM

Considering you can get a new D-18 from a Forum sponsor for just over $1800 I would say take off $400. With that said, I sold a 2 year old D-18 about a year ago for $1500. Sold in 2 days without any bargaining

Rev Roy · #3 10-08-2019, 08:46 PM

For some perspective: I sold a 2016 D-18 in excellent condition for $1,600 about 1 1/2 yrs ago. Sold within a week or so...

CoffeeFan · #4 10-09-2019, 12:04 AM

Okay, thanks. The seller is asking $1,500. Seems to be fair...

llew · #5 10-09-2019, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoffeeFan

Okay, thanks. The seller is asking $1,500. Seems to be fair...

Rule of thumb seems to be 50% of MSRP if the guitar is is great condition. So with the latest price increase $1575 is 50% of MSRP.

ChrisE · #6 10-09-2019, 06:13 AM

Before I bought my D-18 new a couple of years ago, I watched used sales of D-18's for a long time. Around $1,500 was pretty much the market rate, but I did see a couple go for $1,350-$1,400.

I got mine brand new with warranty from a mom and pop store for $1,700 +tax.

Deliberate1 · #7 10-09-2019, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llew

Rule of thumb seems to be 50% of MSRP if the guitar is is great condition. So with the latest price increase $1575 is 50% of MSRP.

Curious if that is a rule of thumb for used guitars in general - excluding those, of course, with some special, collectable value.

llew · #8 10-09-2019, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

Curious if that is a rule of thumb for used guitars in general - excluding those, of course, with some special, collectable value.

I don't know? I've always heard that 50% of MSRP used here on the forum for Martin's but perhaps not some special edition guitar or other brands?

llew · #9 10-09-2019, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisE

Before I bought my D-18 new a couple of years ago, I watched used sales of D-18's for a long time. Around $1,500 was pretty much the market rate, but I did see a couple go for $1,350-$1,400.

I got mine brand new with warranty from a mom and pop store for $1,700 +tax.

When the D-18 was $3k MSRP the difference in what you could buy it new and what you could buy it used was really small. I still believe it's the best value in a Martin to be had hands down...