• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Attic find - (warning G*** ** content)

#61
bikemusic said:
OP here - I'm in the Pittsburgh area and haven't dealt with any local luthiers. I'm sure there must be a few around but I'm not sure there would be a Martin specialist. Pittsburgh isn't that huge a city. Would you think it's worth going further afield to find somebody that knows more about the specific brand? From what I've heard Martin is sort of the Fender of acoustics.
Click to expand...

Dan Erlewine is in Athens, Ohio. From what I've seen of him on the web I think he'd be worth checking out for the Martin.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Queue
#62
Good name acoustics are a different breed... unlike most solid body bass guitars and electric guitars that I'm perfectly happy doing pretty extensive setup work and mods to myself, what you have there is a beautiful piece of acoustic wizardry where every little misdone glue joint or 1 degree angle issue will adversely affect the tone, and sometimes playability.


So yea, luthier time!
 
  • Like
Reactions: LBS-bass
#63
That guitar is not in bad shape considering its age and where is was stored. Invest in a new set of strings and clean it and maybe have the frets dressed and the binding repaired by a good local repair shop or do it yourself if you are competent. (BE honest about this)
I don't think that sending it to Martin is the best option for that instrument. You are not the original owner and they can verify that in a heartbeat. The only warranty work they do is for original owners.
I don't know the rates they charge for regular repairs but it can't be as cheap as you can get locally. I know that the guitar is worth doing right but that doesn't look to be that bad. Plus you run the risks of sending it to them and getting it back in good shape.
I would just clean it, restring it and sell it as is if the repair for binding is too costly. I don't think that you will lose much by leaving it as is with new strings. Just my opinion.
 
#64
bcbassman said:
That guitar is not in bad shape considering its age and where is was stored. Invest in a new set of strings and clean it and maybe have the frets dressed and the binding repaired by a good local repair shop or do it yourself if you are competent. (BE honest about this)
I don't think that sending it to Martin is the best option for that instrument. You are not the original owner and they can verify that in a heartbeat. The only warranty work they do is for original owners.
I don't know the rates they charge for regular repairs but it can't be as cheap as you can get locally. I know that the guitar is worth doing right but that doesn't look to be that bad. Plus you run the risks of sending it to them and getting it back in good shape.
I would just clean it, restring it and sell it as is if the repair for binding is too costly. I don't think that you will lose much by leaving it as is with new strings. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
Dan Erlewine, mentioned above, shows exactly how to repair binding on a Martin D-35 here. Doesn't look too difficult...
 
#71
BucketOfFish said:
I'm curious. Is the pick guard showing any signs of curling up around the edges and revealing unfinished wood underneath?
Click to expand...
No, it looks totally tight. There also isn't any splitting on the inboard edge between the soundhole and the bridge, which sometimes happens if the wood shrinks more than the pick guard.
223525412.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Volker Kirstein
#77
bikemusic said:
Somebody gave me an old Martin 12-string acoustic guitar. A little research indicates it's a 1968 Martin D12-35, which was top of the line back then. Body has no cracks, neck is tight, finish is original, and there are some dings and chips but nothing major. Probably needs a re-fret. But- it has no strings, nut or bridge pins so it's not playable. I see these being sold for $4000 and up but I don't think somebody would pay that money for a non-playable instrument. I don't want to put a huge amount of time/money in since I just want to flip it (money for basses). In this situation would you A)sell it on eBay as-is for whatever it brings, probably a fraction of its worth, B)put in $50 for strings, nut and bridge pins and then sell it as a working vintage instrument, or C)try to make a deal with a collector/vintage luthier who could bring it back to its top value?
Click to expand...

Def C.
If you get a good bass out of it everyone wins.
 
#78
bikemusic said:
Dan Erlewine, mentioned above, shows exactly how to repair binding on a Martin D-35 here. Doesn't look too difficult...
Click to expand...

In all truth and fairness, that's likely to be the smallest problem on the guitar in question, and the least expensive one to remedy for someone who does serious work of this nature on daily basis. Let them do the work. Please.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LBS-bass and Bruno1950
#80
I'd have a pro luthier, a good one that specializes in acoustics, take a look and see what they think. If you're planning to sell it, you'll likely get more money if it's fixed up. Giving the person that gave you the guitar a cut would be good form, but it doesn't have to be 50/50. If you sell the guitar on eBay / Reverb or whatever that processes through PayPal, you will get a 1099K in January. This is a case where it is a profit, so you will be liable for taxes on the sale price minus the repair costs. Keep the receipts. So if you sell it for pay $1k to get it in tip top shape, sell it for $4k and decide to spilt the $3k profit with the person that gave it to you, they get $1500, you get $1500 and then you get to pay federal, state and local taxes on $3k of profit - out of your $1500 "profit". You would need to calculate your tax liability based on your top tax bracket since this will be additional income. But then on the flip side, when the person that gave it to you finds out that you sold it for $4k and only gave them, say, $500 they're going to be ticked that you ripped them off. No amount of explanation will satisfy, they will expect $2k. So, I would suggest putting the least amount of money into it as you can, sell it locally for cash.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back