Which would you choose? Pawn shop find or new

romans5 · #1 11-13-2014, 02:38 PM

So, I found a 1991 HD35 in a pawn shop recently. I played it a while and was blown away. Huge, full sound that amazed me. No buzzing frets and the action was great.

BUT, it is a little banged up. There a chunk out of the headstock about 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch. It looks like it got hit pretty hard by something sharp. The white binding is coming off around the outside of the top (two sections about 6-8 inches long each). There are numerous small scratches and dings, but it looks good from about 6 feet away.

I've been thinking about this guitar for a few weeks and trying to figure out a way that I can get it (funds are currently drawn in other directions). I listed my current Martin for sale in hopes of getting close to the amount I need for the HD35.

I've long dreamt of having a Martin dread and have really had my eye on a D18 for years. Well, today a family member offered to front me the money to just go ahead and get a brand new D18 which I have always wanted.

So, HD35 that floored me with it's big full bassy sound, but is a bit beat up (I'm a little worried about where the guitar has been in it's life to have bindings coming off)... Or brand new 2014 D18 from a vendor I know and trust?

Can you tell I'm leaning toward the D18? I'm just not sure if the D18 will leave me wishing I had gone with something with more full, bassy sound in the long run... what do you all think?

romans5 · #2 11-13-2014, 02:40 PM

oh, yeah... I play all kinds of different styles from worship music at church every week to flatpicking bluegrass to fingerpicking to jazz/blues...

and I currently and will in the future only have this one guitar.

Sorry for the terribly long post above

#3 11-13-2014, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romans5

So, I found a 1991 HD35 in a pawn shop recently. I played it a while and was blown away. Huge, full sound that amazed me. No buzzing frets and the action was great.

BUT, it is a little banged up. There a chunk out of the headstock about 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch. It looks like it got hit pretty hard by something sharp. The white binding is coming off around the outside of the top (two sections about 6-8 inches long each). There are numerous small scratches and dings, but it looks good from about 6 feet away.

I've been thinking about this guitar for a few weeks and trying to figure out a way that I can get it (funds are currently drawn in other directions). I listed my current Martin for sale in hopes of getting close to the amount I need for the HD35.

I've long dreamt of having a Martin dread and have really had my eye on a D18 for years. Well, today a family member offered to front me the money to just go ahead and get a brand new D18 which I have always wanted.

So, HD35 that floored me with it's big full bassy sound, but is a bit beat up (I'm a little worried about where the guitar has been in it's life to have bindings coming off)... Or brand new 2014 D18 from a vendor I know and trust?

Can you tell I'm leaning toward the D18? I'm just not sure if the D18 will leave me wishing I had gone with something with more full, bassy sound in the long run... what do you all think?

Brand new D-18 or a thrashed D-35? Umm defintely the D-18. You get the lifetime warranty and the new style D-18 I played the other day was really awesome. I think the choice is pretty obvious.

Long Jon · #4 11-13-2014, 03:01 PM

I'd get the beat up old HD 35, but that's me, a beat up old guy...
Lot's of superficial dings and scars, but everything still in pretty good working order.

ps. Bindings are easy glued back.

ericcsong · #5 11-13-2014, 03:01 PM

if you like the used guitar's sound and feel, and if its a great buy, no doubt, go with the used.

You can always buy a new guitar anytime!

Teleman52 · #6 11-13-2014, 03:02 PM

Well you've played the d35. You know you love the sound The binding could be fixed, I like guitars with patina. But you should try and go play a d18 If possible.

If your not botherd by a little play wear though and you like it better than the d18. Pick it up. I would never choose one guitar over the other just because it's in better cosmetic condition

SJ VanSandt · #7 11-13-2014, 03:24 PM

I vote for new. The chunk out of the headstock bothers me: that hard of a knock could very well have caused other issues that you can't see. It's not really that old, certainly not vintage - your new D-18 will open up with lots of play and sound as good or better in just a few years (am I showing my mahogany prejudice here?), and it will be under warranty. New.

EoE · #8 11-13-2014, 03:29 PM

if you and the guitar are having a love affair get it...I bought a 400 dollar cort bass 2 years ago because we love each other it is my favorite bass even over my custom 2000 dollar bass. when there is a connection with a instrument that is the one for you.
just make sure that neck is true....

fishstick_kitty · #9 11-13-2014, 03:44 PM

I assume the d35 is much less money? If so, I'd go for the d35 and call it a beater

.

Jim Owen · #10 11-13-2014, 03:44 PM

Hi Romans5,

I'm absolutely no help, and I confess it. But here is my .02. I would buy the guitar I've played, the one that I keep thinking about. The 35 has its own sound (and folks either like it, love it, or . . . . ). It is more lightly braced than the 28. My buddy has one that I think works well either finger picked or played with a pick. The first Martin I ever played was a friend's D35 (around 1968).

Most of my guitars were bought used and all have varying degrees of dings and scrapes. Binding can be reglued.

There are advantages of buying the new D 18. It was revisioned last year--the bracing was changed to be more akin of the bracing in Martin's earlier era, and the nut width was shifted to 1 3/4 like the prewar specs. The visuals returned to faux tortoise binding and guard for a cool, retro look. It will have that lifetime guarantee against faults of workmanship or materials. (No, that doesn't cover wear and tear or humidity related cracks--but in most cases it does cover neck resets.)

Me, I like mahogany sides and back. But you might prefer the 35. Sounds like you really liked the one you played.

Yamaha Man · #11 11-13-2014, 03:48 PM

I'd go with the new D-18. Mine has served me well for 40 years. That HD-35 sounds like a Frankenstein type guitar....I'd stay away from that head stock issue. Like it's been mentioned, it's not a vintage guitar anymore, just queen of the pawn shop.

RustyAxe · #12 11-13-2014, 03:51 PM

YOu don't say what the pawn shop wants for that HD-35. For me the choice would be easy ... I'd take the D-18 any day. I find the HD-35 to have a bass heavy tone, almost muddy to my ears. But there are many who love 'em!

franchelB · #13 11-13-2014, 03:53 PM

Personally, I'd go for the HD35 if you can live with the headstock issues. But that's just me.

Placida · #14 11-13-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romans5

So, I found a 1991 HD35 in a pawn shop recently. I played it a while and was blown away. Huge, full sound that amazed me. No buzzing frets and the action was great.

Buy it. Quick.

michaelhager · #15 11-13-2014, 03:57 PM

I think you have to play them both and then decide. I've played many a beater that has far outplayed a brand new2, more expensive instrument. The loose binding is no big deal, any skilled luthier can fix that and in a pawn shop? I'd point out all the flaws and see if you can work down the price.

I always wanted a Martin and never found one I liked until I met a guy with a beat up laminate Martin that played and sounded better than nearly anything I'd ever touched. Problem was, he wouldn't give it up for that very reason!

And personally, that brand new D18? Don't buy it unless you can play it first. Two guitars from the same tree, consecutively numbered can be different as night and day.