My Martin's up for sale...

Subject: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Willie-O
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 09:22 AM

I thought about this for a long time, and the 1973 Martin O-18 I have owned since 1980 is currently for sale at the Kingston Guitar Shop, Clarence St, Kingston Ontario.

Here's a pic, it sure is pretty.

If you find yourself near Kingston, drop in on this great little downtown store, chock full of expertly restored guitars with lots of soul. Gord Mylks, the proprietor, does it all himself, and he learned from restoration master Rufus Stewart (who did the major overhaul on this guitar 10 years ago). There are some other intriguing old Martins there too including a fabulous 1955 OOO-28 in player condition.      

Mine is a good value, compare it to this similarly lovely $$American$$ example south of the border down Brattleboro way:

1967 Martin 00-18 at Maple Leaf Music

Why am I doing this? Well, in short:

1. I'm broke
   
2. It's time for a change
   

It's a real nice, comfortable-playing guitar which fits very snugly under your arm and has very low action smooth-like-butter and a clear tone. It would be a very good choice for a smaller person who is looking for a nice piece that has some je ne sais quoi...great fingerpicking or DADGAD guitar.

I will be getting another smallish guitar later on, but something a little larger and louder, like an OO, OOO or OM.

There's a couple of other instruments of mine there too: Takamine GZ-300 solid-body electric, and an open-back banjo which is not listed on the website yet.

Feast yer eyes...Kingston is just a hop over the border at Thousand Islands.

W-O

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Mooh
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 09:37 AM

Nice axe! Too bad I'm broke too. That seems like a good price for a guitar of quality and character, hope it finds a good home. Good luck!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 11:24 AM

I surely know about being broke. I hope you get full price for your instruments. Best of luck to you.

You 'catters that may buy the instrument--remember that this is a broke 'catter when asking about the price.

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Cluin
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 11:42 AM

Damn, Willie-O. That is one very nice looking guitar. Sorry you have to part with it and I wouldn't mind giving it a good home. But I'm cash-strapped myself at present (post-Xmas leanness. y'know).

I used to play Kingston a bit a few years ago. At the Tir nan Og, a great venue, when we played the Prime Pubs, Inc. circuit. I didn't even know about the KGS, then. If I'm ever back that way, I'll certainly drop in there.

Good luck.

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 11:52 AM

You kept it in very good condition.

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Justa Picker
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 12:03 PM

(The O and the OO are two entirely different beasts.
It's not entirely fair, to compare the two of them or attempt to lump them together price wise.)

BTW Your O is lovely looking!

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Willie-O
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 02:15 PM

Well they're different but related! Difference between a 67 and a 73 is of course big in the eyes of collectors-- 1970 and on are not considered "collectible", at least not yet. That may change, since the 70's models were for the most part the same designs. (And in the 18 series, the same materials since they were always mahogany bodies.)

I included the double-O pic really because anyone that would like my guitar would sure like the OO, if they could afford it. And it is in my favourite American music store, the friendly and welcoming Maple Leaf Music.   

W-O

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Emma B
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 04:36 PM

Thank heavens you're in Canada, I have a friend who would walk over red hot coals, sell his soul etc...........(the one who says "I have quite a nice set of guitars")
BTW Willie-O did you ever sing the Gaelic song I sent you?

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Mark Ross
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 05:04 PM

Good prices! I wish I could afford to give them a good home.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Kaleea
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 02:57 AM

It will not be long before I have to give up my old '64 Gibson J45 for a smaller guitar. I need one with a small (narrow & thin) neck & small body. I'm only 5 ft, so my fingers aren't long. However, it's the carpal tunnel & arthritis which is forcing this. The easiest guitar I've ever played was years ago when a boyfriend had a Fender acoustic Malibu with a small acoustic body & an electric neck on it. I do not want an electric guitar, just acoustic--but wouldn't mind having a pickup. Don't want fiberglass or the new gotta plug it in or else you can't hear it kinda acoustic/electrics. Anyone know of something like that which has a nice sound? Oh, yeah--& I'm NOT holding pockets filled with money.    Thanks!

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 03:08 AM

How can walking Eagle say you've looked after it when it's been repaired three timess, we can all have accidents but three !!. My KInkade (Hand built Bristol UK) has only ever been in for service, frets etc and I'll pass it to anyone in the session, I'm not precious about it

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Willie-O
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 06:01 PM

Good for you, Raggytash, I guess our guitars have just travelled different paths. It's an older Martin, they have certain well-documented weaknesses--like the typical top cracks between bridge and body end. When it needed repairs, I always took it to the best I could find--and Rufus Stewart, who repaired those top cracks and fixed the intonation, (actually rerouted the saddle slot in the bridge, you wouldn't notice unless I showed you) is an absolute genius at nth degree setup. If you were to play it you would understand the concept of "taken care of" as I see it.   

It's not mint condition, it's got normal playing wear (which I don't consider defects) and a few dings, and any structural defects have been properly repaired.

Emma, thanks for that song, I must confess I haven't actually gotten to learn it yet...

Kaleea if you sell the J45 you should be OK to get a nice smaller guitar. If you're OK with really smaller, you should check out Larivee parlor guitars. Or Martin O-18s. ;)=

W-O

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: GUEST,from the Studio
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 08:24 PM

KinKade - I visited his workshop a few years ago what a nice bloke and what lovely guitars - I didn't invest at the time but you've got me thinking about it again!

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: GUEST,Van
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 03:03 PM

You've really cheered me up. In 1970 I had some money and wanted a Martin. It was, for me, a lot of money to spend. So instead I bought a Yamaha. No trips to repairers in the intervening years, no splits in the top. I used to grieve over spending my money on an engagement ring for a marriage that didn't last as long as my guitar but now I feel happy. At least I got one of the decisions right. Joking apart I hope you get a good price - it must be a bugger to part with your guitars because you're skint.

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Willie-O
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 03:30 PM

1970 Yamaha's, known as the "pre-Martin lawsuit" era. They were so good Martin sued them for patent infringement and won.

A good guitar is a good guitar.

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 03:46 PM

As great unsung bargains, Kaleea, I'd try a Daion - not all of them are dreadnoughts, and even the dreadnoughts are quite "electric" necks. I have seen a number on ebay in the USA.

Raggytash, I nearly bought a Kincade about ten years ago - a 12-string, but it was a bad money month so in the end I paid the mortgage in stead. There used to be concerns about their light build. How has yours aged?

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: GUEST,Sibelius
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 04:34 PM

Kinkades "light"? Damn right they are, that's how they're supposed to be! I've heard it said (not by Jonny Kinkead, but by another UK luthier whose name escapes me) that a guitar is at its best when it only just stands up to being played. That's taking things to extremes of course, but you can see the point.

I've had a 1984 Kinkade Kingsdown (roughly OM size) since 1990, and have heard few other guitars that come close to it for sheer tonal richness. Yes it's light, but it's had its fair share of being thrown in and out of vans, and at age 20 this year there's never been any sign of any structural weakness.

If I were you, Richard, I'd get yourself one of those flexible mortgages where you can skip a few months' payments, and get yourself back down to Bristol!

I'm fairly sure I have had the good fortune to meet Raggytash's Kinkade dreadnought, surrounded by concertinas in the attic-room of its previous owner, not a million miles from Stoke-on-Trent. Would that be about right, Rags? If ever a guitar could sound like a church organ, that's it.

Subject: RE: My Martin's up for sale...
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 01:23 AM

I thought of you all tonight as we watched Antiques Roadshow. They were in San Francisco. Someone brought in their great-grandfather's guitar. It was an 1860's Martin Parlour, all handmade, of course, inlaid with incredible ivory and ebony, abalone and had hand-carved tuning pegs of mother of pearl imported from Germany. The neck had a long strip of ivory running down either side to strengthen it, according to the appraiser. The workmanship was exquisite. It was marked "Martin - New York" but he'd actually made in Pennsylvania. They said he put "New York" in there as a marketing ploy. Sure was a nice size and sounded soft, but sweet. They appraised it at $6-7,000 US.

Good luck, Willie-O, sorry times dictate such measures.

kat