1972 Martin D-18 Natural, Excellent, Original Hard, $2,695.00

The early 1970s was a prolific time for American fretted instrument makers; the market for guitars was white hot. Not everyone who bought guitars back then took great care of them but when we come across a truly solid one, we’re all over it. Martins of this period can be unusually great, just dream guitars as soon as you pick them up, and this is one of those special ones. It is beautifully clean, due in no small part to someone’s having sent it back to Martin at one point though I can’t say exactly when; I’m reporting on what I see, not what someone told me. The complete story is that at one time it had a minor side crack that was solidly repaired by parties unknown, and at a later date it was sent to Martin, where they reset the neck and while the neck was off they added one beautiful coat of lacquer to the body and to the neck separately, before re-assembly, just like they do in their building process. Bottom line is that we’ve got a beautiful Martin D-18, now forty-five years old, that still has its original American-made Grover tuners, its original ivory nut (one of the very last of these), with perfect action, gorgeous strong clear tones all the way across, a beautiful clean look and a great great price almost the same for this vintage one as for a new one. And, better yet, someone has thoughtfully installed a strap button in the heel, and an internal Barcus Berry pickup, one of the most natural-sounding ones ever made. This Martin is a true staff pick. $2695 w/ohsc