Official Luthiers Forum!

This belongs to a co-worker of my wife's. He asked me to find out it's age and approximate value. The model is 00-18G and the serial number is 167286. There is nothing wrong with it and it's all original.

Whaddaya think?

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

It's a 1959 I think. My 2005 price guide recons $1300-$1600 depending on condition, but I don't think this book has ever been bang on the money!

According to this list http://http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/martin-guitar-seri al-numbers.htm, 1959 would be correct.  I'd e clueless as to its current worth.  The Unoffical Martin Guitar Forum folks might have current advice on the price.

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Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC

First, it's a classical, and should have nylon strings, not the steel strings I see in the photos....

A quick search shows Elderly recently had a '58, in much nicer condition, that went for $1050. But i agree that the UMGF will give you the best info yet.

It's got black nylons strings on not steel strings.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks for the info. They are nylon strings, Mario.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

The guard is most definitely an unoriginal addition, though the rest of the guitar looks correct insofar as the tuners, decal etc.

Considering the condition and wear I'd say right around $1000. Cleaner older (Martin started making these in 1936) examples might bring closer to  $1200. or even as high as $1500.

The interesting thing about these guitars is that Martin used their 00 14 fret body shape for them despite the 12 fret neck and they are generally considered to be amoung the best of the Martin nylon stringed guitars 

This appears to be a 00-28G They were built as a classical. I thought at first that it was an N but the curvature is all wrong . Use this link and scrool down you should find some info there
http://www.provide.net/~cfh/martin.html
this link will get you to some more info that should help
john hall
blues creek guitars

Martin style 18 is mahogany, 28 is rosewood. Always has been.

Those strings are nylon? Fooled me <g>

You are right mario I was looking at the specs for the 00-28G reguardless is is a 00 size 18 series   I hope you allow me a human error , typing to quick. Glad to see you didn't change ,Mario
john

Could be a fun project to convert it to steel--new neck, rebraced and refinished top, new bridge. Years ago this was only considered worth the effort if it was a style 28. This will of course offend those who think even a 1960's Stella with painted binding should be preserved for future generations.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I don't believe it has ever had steel strings on it. The current owner would not do that and has had it since the early 60's. I did inspect it pretty thoroughly, and there's nothing wrong with it at all.

I'll ask him if he put the pickguard on. Thanks again.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Hey John, I have no info on the guitar for you.

Looking at the picture of the back of the headstock



It looks like the D string might be a steel string.

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[quote=Rod True]It looks like the D string might be a steel string.[/quote]

   I didn't see immediately that was a back shot of the neck. Thought somebody strung it up wrong! Seen it before!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Or put the tuners on the wrong way?

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

You guys are joking, right?

It is, of course, a copper-wound nylon string.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Yep Nylon strings are on it. In fact I believe they are LaBella Folk Singer strings. Notice the plastic button ends on the black G,B and E strings. In fact LaBella Folk Singer's have buttons on all the strings but the bass stings are notorious for not holding under tension. It is common for those that use them to cut off the buttons and tie at least E,A and D if not the whole set.

Looks like the pickguard should have been on the bass side upper bout.....

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Horton, MI

Call Stan Jay of Mandolin Brothers in Staten Island NY.
He will know exactly what it is worth.
Brad

[QUOTE=grumpy] Martin style 18 is mahogany, 28 is rosewood. Always has been.Those strings are nylon? Fooled me <g>[/QUOTE]

As long as we are nit-picking, style 18 guitars were rosewood for a long time. I have seen rosewood style 18s with the New York stamp. The change to mahogany was about 1917, according to Longworth.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

[QUOTE=Howard Klepper] [QUOTE=grumpy] Martin style 18 is mahogany, 28 is rosewood. Always has been.Those strings are nylon? Fooled me <g>[/QUOTE]

As long as we are nit-picking, style 18 guitars were rosewood for a long time. I have seen rosewood style 18s with the New York stamp. The change to mahogany was about 1917, according to Longworth.[/QUOTE]

Geez Howard! you been around a while HUA? just kidding bud