• From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Topic: NGD!!

Hello All-

Yesterday, I bought a 1943 Martin 000-18 from my buddies older sister. It is going to take some work as the head stock is broken clean off the neck. I guess my friends family already talked to Martin and they said it would cost 5-600 bucks to repair. It also doesn't have the original tuners. I absolutely love the way these guitars sound new, so I can't wait to see how she sounds being 68 years old big_smile


Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: NGD!!

Question for those with more knowledge about vintage instruments than I... The finish on the back and sides was completely stripped by the original owner. Should I have it refinished by Martin when I send it in to have it repaired or should I leave it as is?


Thanks,
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • Indy
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  • From: Philly
  • Registered: 2011-01-04
  • Posts: 269

Re: NGD!!

What a very nice guitar you have now even if it is busted.

My recommendation is to indeed have it repaired by Martin even if will cost you a couple of extra bucks.  Mind you they may suggest replacing the entire neck which will certainly cost more.  In for a penny in for a pound; get the original tuners placed back on.  And I would have them refinish the guitar for you since they know the recipe and have the experienced staff.

I only live about an hour and a half from the Martin factory and so when my D28 developed a crack I drove it up myself and took the tour as well.  Martin repair techs at the factory are not at all impressed will the ease that it takes to become a Martin Authorized Repairman so keep that in mind when you have someone else look at your new treasure.

Another thing to keep in mind is the time it will take to do the job.  The repair to my guitar took 3 months and I would expect a longer time for your repairs.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: NGD!!

Thanks for the advice! I'm definitely gonna have Martin do all the work. I got it from a buddies estate sale and I didn't want to low ball such a great friend so I gave them more than they were asking for it. I think that all guitars need to be played so just because it's not original doesn't bother me in the least. It didnt come with the original tuners and the original owner is no longer living. I'll send Martin and email and see what they can do for me. We've got a small vintage guitar shop about 20 minutes away from me... I'm gonna take it up there tomorrow and see if I can get some more information since I know very little about the guitar. All of the 000-18's I've seen from that time period had normal dot inlays but this one has some fancy inlay work. I'm wondering if the owner had it added later or if there is something special about it.


Thanks,
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: NGD!!

Not an expert or nothing but with vintage tables and things they say to leave it alone.  If it was stripped then it might not matter anyway, if there was any original finish left on it at all it would be worth more then if you refinish it no matter the condition.  But if it was completely stripped to bare wood like I said it wouldn't matter.  I think if your planning on taking the guitar out to play you want that back finished if its bare wood.  If your planning on selling it try to keep it as original finish as possible.  If you got a deal and want to keep it I'd get the finish and make it so I wouldn't have to worry about the guitar and its condition for the next 60 years.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: NGD!!

Thanks man. I'm going to leave it as original as I can... The finish on the top appears to be original so I'm gonna leave that no matter what... The folks at Martin suggested I get the stripped parts refinished but I'm trying to track down a local appraiser to see what he has to say. I'm interested to find out more about the inlay... All the other ones I've looked at had dots but this has a custom inlay.

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: NGD!!

So I took the guitar to the local vintage guitar shop today. They said with the extent of the damage and the fact that it's not all original, that it wouldn't be worth it to have martin do the repair/restoration work. I was told just to have a 3rd party luthier do the repair work and make it a daily player. Any thoughts?


Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Southampton, UK
  • Registered: 2011-09-06
  • Posts: 231

Re: NGD!!

Logo33 wrote:

So I took the guitar to the local vintage guitar shop today. They said with the extent of the damage and the fact that it's not all original, that it wouldn't be worth it to have martin do the repair/restoration work. I was told just to have a 3rd party luthier do the repair work and make it a daily player. Any thoughts?


Logan

Sounds like a very interesting acquisition.  I would say take the guitar to Martin anyway and get them to look at it and provide you with as much information as possible (e.g. as you said, what's the inlay story?).  Then, depending on their evaluation, you decide what to do.  The advice provided by the local store sounds about right, however to my mind this kind of thing is personal - it's how you're going to feel about the instrument into the future, assuming you keep it of course.

Good luck and keep us updated on the outcome.

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  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: NGD!!

I've got a habit of not being able to let go of guitars (bad?). I always just feel so guilty! At this point, my best option may just be to fix it up enough just to play it. Thats what its meant for, right? I really am a big fan of the 000 body style. They are so clear and great for finger picking (gonna have to learn).

Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.