1953 Martin D-18 Dreadnought Natural Tone Monster, Excellent, Hard, $4,999.00
Great sounding super nice example of a 1953 Martin D-18 number 130278 Dreadnaught large body guitar in beautiful all original condition with a newer hard shell case. Easily the best sounding large body guitar we’ve encountered in some time. This rare crack free instrument is a third louder than anything we've heard recently with a mid range punch and high-end clarity usually specific to Pre War Martin instruments, it’s loud. The neck is perfectly straight, the neck angle good and with a slightly shaved bridge and saddle the action is electric guitar low and if strummed hard will buzz with medium light gauge strings. It plays incredible and sounds even better but the action is much lower than normal. The guitar probably has the neck angle to restore the bridge and saddle to factory specs hence raising the action to factory normal high. Although Sitka spruce was the normal production wood used by Martin for tops in 1953 it’s known that they occasionally used a variety of Red Spruce known as Adirondack on some instruments that year. This guitar has no horizontal grain pattern or bear claw typical of Sitka from this era but does have the darker color normally associated with it, Adirondack is usually lighter in color. Although probably Sitka, this top works especially well, never has there been a canon of a guitar such as this one. All original played condition 8 with normal wear from responsible usage, lower side has pressure marks almost none on back. Top has some pick and finish wear but is crack free and flat, original guard is down and intact. The original bridge is slightly sanded as well as the original saddle; the neck is perfectly straight with good angle, the action is very low with original frets and fingerboard in good condition. We've removed an after market strap pin North side of the heel leaving a small un filled hole. We believe the better the guitar the better the enjoyment yield and financial return on your invested dollar. Vintage Gear America specializes in selling mint and near all original American made used and vintage instruments; every guitar sold has been thoroughly examined for originality and condition then carefully cleaned and set up. This thoroughly vetted instrument is 100% original including the finish, all parts and hardware. No aftermarket modifications or repairs, no cracks or breaks, no structural issues. Fast and free same day safe shipping, USPS Priority fully insured by Heritage Insurance Company. Comes with a newer hard shell case, was $6499. now only $4999. Thanks, VGA
Vintage Gear America
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We ship USPS Priority and Fed Ex Ground next business day, all instruments are carefully packed utilizing new shipping materials, all instruments are insured by Heritage Insurance. All parcels are flat rate shipped and are the same price for all buyers in the domestic USA, international shipping is also flat rate for anywhere in the world. The price is based on the cost of new shipping materials, boxes, bubble wrap, tape and labor and has nothing to do with where you are or your ability to pick it up in person. It is not in our business model to offer in person demonstrations of instruments or in person pickup, both of these things take an employee and extra time. If you have a limit as to what you want to spend on shipping please factor this into you instrument offer as we accept reasonable offers on most items. If an item doesn’t allow a lower offer it’s because it’s already been discounted and already at its lowest price. We recommend that you don’t chose an instrument based on shipping cost alone as there are more important issues all of which we have well covered. I might point out that all of our guitars come with professional detailing and set up, this has real value and keeps one from getting inferior work from an unqualified retail establishment. Thanks for your understanding. John Russell Nelson owner VGA Vintage Gear America
We offer a 48-hour approval period on most items, a restocking fee of 10% may be assed depending on the instrument and the situation, buyer pays return postage.