Back to the main page Back to category Acoustic Guitars
musical instrument details
1952 Martin D-18 Vintage Dreadnaught Luthier Project Serial #129168 ELVIS
Estimated price for orientation: 2 275 $
Category: Acoustic Guitars
Class:
Description Condition: For parts or not working: An item that does not function as intended and is not fully operational. This includes items that are defective in ways that render them difficult to use, items that require service or repair, or items missing essential components. See the seller’s listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Martin String Configuration: 6 String Model: D-18 Model Year: 1952 Series: Vintage Body Material: Mahogany Body Type: Dreadnought Soundboard Style: Flat Top Size: Full Size Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Dexterity: Right-Handed
Here is a 1952 Martin D-18 that a customer of mine had in his basement. Serial #129168, early 1952.This guitar will need a complete restoration by a skilled luthier, but there are good bones here and these are appreciating quickly (currently trading from $5000 to $8000 for playable examples). Pros: Neck is crack free, original finish and decal, original tuners (one shaft is bent), original nut, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard & beautiful spider-web Brz bridge. Original finish on back, with legit belt-buckle wear. Original finish on sides, though with extreme craquelure. Has original pick guard also, and the original small bridge plate as well.Cons: It appears that many years ago someone removed the top (and possibly back) to reglue loose braces, Most of the braces have been poorly glued with an adhesive that was not up to the job. As such, the top and back need to come off of this instrument, all the braces removed and reassembled with hide glue, and reassembled. The sides are actually in decent shape and the blocks look ok, like they were never messed with. There are a couple big cracks in the back that appear to have happened since, as there is no evidence of strange glue and poorly applied cleats on them. The top has some original finish but about half is gone. There are a few cracks that should come back together well, when the braces are released. The rosette looks good but the purfling and most of the binding is missing, as are the bridge pins and saddle.Please study these pictures carefully, zoom in so you can properly judge the condition.. See that spider by the headblock? This thing has been in a basement for a long time. In a nutshell, this job will require patience and many hours. It's definitely worth doing, but I do not have the time to fit it in with my building schedule. I would estimate this restoration at $3500-4000, though I'm sure prices vary. Feel free to ask questions, and I'll try to answer them in a timely fashion. This is a no bullshit sale, if you are concerned about the condition please don't even bid. No buyers remorse etc.I'm not making a lot from this and am just helping out a friend. This will be a kickass guitar when it's done, after all it is a 1952 Martin D-18. thanks, Chuck Sanzone sanzoneguitars.com
Description
| Condition: | For parts or not working: An item that does not function as intended and is not fully operational. This includes items that are defective in ways that render them difficult to use, items that require service or repair, or items missing essential components. See the seller’s listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Martin |
| String Configuration: | 6 String | Model: | D-18 |
| Model Year: | 1952 | Series: | Vintage |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | Body Type: | Dreadnought |
| Soundboard Style: | Flat Top | Size: | Full Size |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States | Dexterity: | Right-Handed |
Here is a 1952 Martin D-18 that a customer of mine had in his basement. Serial #129168, early 1952.This guitar will need a complete restoration by a skilled luthier, but there are good bones here and these are appreciating quickly (currently trading from $5000 to $8000 for playable examples). Pros: Neck is crack free, original finish and decal, original tuners (one shaft is bent), original nut, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard & beautiful spider-web Brz bridge. Original finish on back, with legit belt-buckle wear. Original finish on sides, though with extreme craquelure. Has original pick guard also, and the original small bridge plate as well.Cons: It appears that many years ago someone removed the top (and possibly back) to reglue loose braces, Most of the braces have been poorly glued with an adhesive that was not up to the job. As such, the top and back need to come off of this instrument, all the braces removed and reassembled with hide glue, and reassembled. The sides are actually in decent shape and the blocks look ok, like they were never messed with. There are a couple big cracks in the back that appear to have happened since, as there is no evidence of strange glue and poorly applied cleats on them. The top has some original finish but about half is gone. There are a few cracks that should come back together well, when the braces are released. The rosette looks good but the purfling and most of the binding is missing, as are the bridge pins and saddle.Please study these pictures carefully, zoom in so you can properly judge the condition.. See that spider by the headblock? This thing has been in a basement for a long time. In a nutshell, this job will require patience and many hours. It's definitely worth doing, but I do not have the time to fit it in with my building schedule. I would estimate this restoration at $3500-4000, though I'm sure prices vary. Feel free to ask questions, and I'll try to answer them in a timely fashion. This is a no bullshit sale, if you are concerned about the condition please don't even bid. No buyers remorse etc.I'm not making a lot from this and am just helping out a friend. This will be a kickass guitar when it's done, after all it is a 1952 Martin D-18. thanks, Chuck Sanzone sanzoneguitars.com