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my wife's grandma in Atlanta just passed away after a long decline, I guess she was a radio country music singer in the 1930's, and she had an old Martin guitar for years. this guitar has now come to my wife in the estate. it's an all original D-18, and based on the serial number and Martin's well-documented numbering system we've pegged it at a 1950 model year. she got it new that year or in 51 as a gift after leaving a prior guitar on a bus one day.
it's actually in decent shape considering, but it's taken some abuse over the years. the top has a couple hairline cracks and dings, and play marks above the sound hole, but no splitting. there's wear on the sides, and scratches around the back edge. the neck and nut are fine and the headstock is good too. action is decent, not too low or too high. the fretboard is dry and needs much love. it has the open gear tuners, the G string tuner post (to the knob) is slightly bent, I'll see about straightening it. I bought a new case to have it shipped in, I guess the original case was shot.
the main issue on the guitar is the bridge is cracked along the peg holes and by the saddle, pushing the saddle down and forward. but it still plays, and damn if it wasn't in tune, right out of the case/box from Atlanta to CA yesterday. even with the messed up bridge and old beat strings, the notes and harmonics really jump off this thing, especially small half barre chords up the neck, it's very lively. I'm impressed and interested to see what it will be like once I clean it up and put new strings on it.
I'll have to get a new bridge made for it eventually. I also have to take some better pics of it in the sunlight.
it's actually in decent shape considering, but it's taken some abuse over the years. the top has a couple hairline cracks and dings, and play marks above the sound hole, but no splitting. there's wear on the sides, and scratches around the back edge. the neck and nut are fine and the headstock is good too. action is decent, not too low or too high. the fretboard is dry and needs much love. it has the open gear tuners, the G string tuner post (to the knob) is slightly bent, I'll see about straightening it. I bought a new case to have it shipped in, I guess the original case was shot.
the main issue on the guitar is the bridge is cracked along the peg holes and by the saddle, pushing the saddle down and forward. but it still plays, and damn if it wasn't in tune, right out of the case/box from Atlanta to CA yesterday. even with the messed up bridge and old beat strings, the notes and harmonics really jump off this thing, especially small half barre chords up the neck, it's very lively. I'm impressed and interested to see what it will be like once I clean it up and put new strings on it.
I'll have to get a new bridge made for it eventually. I also have to take some better pics of it in the sunlight.
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it's beautiful, almost 70 yrs old, wow. they sure made them right back then.
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