Martin D-18, 1973
Serial number 3155**
This D-18 is in superb cosmetic condition and it has also aged very nicely to truly look like a vintage guitar.
The fist thing I noticed about this guitar that stood out was the absence of any cracks with the exception of the start of a pickguard crack under the B string between the bridge and the soundhole. It does not appear that this crack goes all the way through. The original pickguard is not nearly as curled and shrunken as most I see on early 70's Martins.
The top of the guitar is perfect, as stated above it is nicely ambered with age and does not have any caving or di[[ing around the soundhole and no bellying behind the bridge. There is some very fine checking to the finish on the top, too fine to photograph. There is about a 6 inch line in the finish on the lower bout that appears to be a very fine crack but I do not believe it is actually cracked through the wood. Other than that there are several very small dings in the top, none through the finish and none large or deep enough to show in pictures.
The bone saddle and nut were replaced professionally - I had the work done by an excellent tech in Oregon. The saddle was compensated to better intonate the guitar. Many 70's Martins had terrible intonation due to poor bridge placement. That is not the case with this guitar.
The neck was re-set at one time, the work is basically undetectable. The action is 1/8" at the 12th fret on the low E string and 3/32" at the same location on the high E.
The frets appear to have been very professionally replaced at one time. They are of the stock guage and height. The frets are not in need of further work.
The sides of the guitar are free of cracks but do show some light wear and a ding here and there, none severe at all and none through the finish.
The back looks better in person than it does in the pictures where the dings and wear pick up the light and are emphasized. There is one small scratch and a few dings through the finish on the back, no serious buckle wear and again no cracks.
The back of the neck is very clean with no annoying dings.
The back and edges of the headstock show a little wear, a few dings but far less than most from the period. The original grover tuners are in place and have never been changed, they work perfectly.
A recent Martin molded case is included. It is also in excellent condition.
Click on the pictures for greater detail. If you would like more info on this item or if you would like to sell me your vintage guitar-bass-parts etc, call or email Chuck at 877-894-2228. Outside the US call 530-894-2228. Email: s-source@pacbell.net
