Should I Buy This Martin D-18?

I want a mahogany Martin dreadnought, and this beautiful 1969 D-18 just appeared on Craigslist. It has Brazilian rosewood fretboard and bridge, and it is in lovely condition. Sounds great and plays nice. Should I buy it?

[@hogs150]

I bought a 1980 D 18 in 1985, learned a few 1st position songs then put it back in the case until i retired a few months ago. Now all i do is play it. So happy i never sold or gave it away i thought about it a few times.

[@Rogmichael1]

My opinion is the new reimagined D-18’s are better than ever I would go for one of those.

[@barkruss1467]

Yes new Martin d-18 are the best they have ever made a friend has one

[@StoicTrader-]

@@barkruss1467 have you played his? Hows the neck, thin or chunky??

[@barkruss1467]

@@StoicTrader- have not but he likes it I no it sounds good.

[@azariah636]

Yes, buy it. A D-18 is my dream guitar. I'll live my dreams through you.

[@joedzekevich2407]

I am the original owner of a 1969 D-18. Around 2016 I had a neck reset done, fix a few very minor cracks, new pick black pick guard from original Martin stock, new bridge and I added in a K&K Pure Mini passive pickup.. I also now mostly play using RETRO Monel strings and for my folk and Americana, after the reset, it plays better than new and sounds beautiful.

[@MM-rb6rs]

Very relatable!! Sounds great

[@tomf429]

I have a 1973 D-18 that I bought new. Just had the neck reset and bridge re-glued in Nazareth, PA. after 45 years. They covered the bridge, I paid for the neck reset. My life-long friend will still be playing sweet long after I'm gone.

[@franchelB]

I'll bet he bought that D 18. I bought mine last December for $100 more but it's a 2016 model... worth every blood sweat and tears. 👍

[@visitur4914]

My number one dream guitar is either a pre-1970 D-18 or one of the new forward-shifted ones. So, I'd say no, you shouldn't buy it. You should let me buy it.

[@G_Demolished]

The new ones are great, and less likely to need work.

[@jgeraci1]

Having the same dream about a nice mahogany D18 and I was born the year that guitar was made so I’d offer 15 but probably buy it regardless

[@LegsON]

Neck reset on the way + piezo holes... I don't know. Maybe if you're sure you will be able to resell with a good margin in the future.

[@dadwhitsett]

Tough call. Might need a neck reset in the near future. I suspect that could be pricey where you live. While the pick up is no big deal...you are correct. A tat on a pretty girl.

[@clontstable1]

I own '69 D18. The one you have is in better shape than mine. My saddle is low too. In the future I will be getting a reset. Good price, good shape....yes, buy it!

[@benh9350]

Get it if you like it, the price, and it gives you a sound you like and can use.

[@riceflatpicking4954]

I’m guessing if you don’t need a neck set that you’re going to here in a while I bought a 56 and my neck set was just a little under $500. That guitar sounds great and the price is fair..I like it.

[@ProspectorPaul]

Of course, surely you jest! 👍👍👍🎸🎶🎶🎶

[@jonnynevada8915]

When the saddle bone needs to be shaved that far down in order to get the action to a playable state,, that clearly tells you the guitar needs a neck reset.. The problem with these older Martins is,, they had no truss rods, so the only way to get them back to factory spec is to do a neck reset, which unfortunately is very pricy to do the right way.. When an acoustic guitar is always stored with full string tension,, then after 40 years what do you think is going to happen to the neck and bridge ? If these players who owned these guitars in the 70s loosened off the strings before putting them back in the case every night ,,, these vintage Martins would play like the day they came out of the factory 😉

[@jdeni22]

There is no such thing as having "too many" guitars (or banjos)! ;-)

[@bigdaddy3919]

What does "having too many" even look like ?

[@toddheimbuch5429]

No..you should not buy that wonderfully clean guitar, that projects great and with a magnificent tone, that therefore negates your concern about the slightly reduced string breakover at the bridge ....you should let me buy it.

[@LUCKYB.]

In my 50 years I have never heard of older martins not needing a neck reset .. cousin of mine just bought a 77 martin and the first thing he had done was guess what !! thats right neck reset . but the good point it will never need another one . and that bridge you can shave a couple 2 maybe 3 strips construction paper and shim , But look close and make sure that bridge is in the corect placement if not your intanation will be off .. But dont take my word for it .. 👍

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Don't let it be the one that got away. :) Regarding the neck, play it until it needs a reset. Then, get a reset. The guitar will still be great!

[@jasper_north]

Hello there, for my D18 (2021) I use 13 gauge. Now I mostly play with fingers including the strumming. What in your opinion should be the numbers at the 12th fret. Note: I often downtune ½ or 1 step. Thank you.

[@MPNNag]

yes!

[@nealmarsh1196]

Yes, you should buy the guitar, let us know what name you choose call it.

[@juliehall2893]

Wait for the perfect one. Or a big discount on this one.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Well.... when do you think you're gonna see another one this nice??? You better pull the trigger and Buy It!!! Don't disappoint us!!!

[@piedpeter1]

By 3:38 I knew he was going to buy it. I have not seen the end as I write this. lol.

[@Frank-in-NY]

What's a neck reset cost with a talented luthier $300? $400? The guitar sounds great. I'll agree with a previous poster, offer him $1500 if it floats your boat.

[@ryanbloom1738]

Nope buy a new one. Trade in your taylor sir.

[@SourStrawberrys]

No trade any one of the many other Martin's he has and buy a new one. A good Taylor is good to have.

[@RRStout]

Try to talk him down. With the saddle being that low and the string arc almost nonexistent, it probably, most definitely, needs a neck reset. Still overall, worth the investment ($1500 for the guitar and $500 for the neck reset).

[@s_lajban1074]

give us more videos

[@646627jd]

I was in Honolulu, Waikiki for most of 2020. I had my Martin M-36 with me. I ended up selling it at a music store I believe it was on King Street. But I would Love to find that Guitar again. I have pictures of it. I would know It in a second. Do you know anyone who bought an M-36 in 2020. In Honolulu Hawaii.?

[@81kentboy]

Buy the little song bird. She's 50 years old and she needs played with. Yeah that sounds bad but still!

[@DanielTPeace]

Well did you buy it?

[@ratan19901]

i would have bought it

[@tyleranderson9190]

Buy it, but try and talk him down!

[@peterjames2580]

By it!!!!!!

[@thanestsimarlai5273]

I like this guitar, if you don't I will 555

[@beverlymichael5830]

Curious what the serial number is. I have a 69 D18 I bought new. Still have today.

[@thefisherman2837]

That would cost almost 3 times as much in the UK over here. You know the rules....if you feel it and it speaks to you...

[@mragunathan1627]

exactly...fucking import duties lol

[@redrock1963]

I'm sorry but I don't get the premise of this vid..."Should I Buy This Martin D-18?"....with comments like "I don't need another guitar"...."I have too many Martins"...Sorry but that just doesn't make any sense.

[@mragunathan1627]

If you dont get the "premise" of this video then you clearly arent someone who has GAS, like the rest of us who love Dick's videos .

[@elipatrickmusic]

Is the bridge plate maple or rosewood? That could be a deciding factor

[@dallgire]

Brazilian rosewood Last year for Brazilians was 1969. I checked the serial number. Dick

[@emilc5885]

maple bridge on a d18? I don't think they ever have had that

[@solice8844]

He's talking about the bridge PLATE inside the guitar. A maple would sound better while a rosewood oversize plate would deaden the tone.

[@elipatrickmusic]

dallgire. Thank you for the information, but I was referring to the bridge plate. Thank you though

[@elipatrickmusic]

@@solice8844 That is very true

[@Ziraffe2]

Don't overestimate the height of the saddle. Means less in the bigger pic. The old hog dread sounds good - did you get it ?

[@Iazzaboyce]

The saddle height doesn't look too bad - I'm minded to think he was actually referring to the bridge not the saddle. Often luthiers will reduce the height of the bridge to get some saddle.

[@Ziraffe2]

@@Iazzaboyce Not so sure. I know of the bridge-trick, but believe Dallgire was talking 'bout the saddle.

[@MrDunosan]

you could tell from the seller’s voice he was hiding something, hoping he wouldnt catch it. in fact you cut him off while he was speaking. you could tell that a reluctant buyer immediately.

[@gus2312]

Buy it Buy it but it !!!!!

[@soulvaccination8679]

i couldnt even afford 1 martin

[@tylerlam6755]

Where’s the Martin logo decal?

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

It’s there, just faded

[@Lookup2Wakeup]

In the case.....😁

[@merkindonor9039]

I'd buy the 2011 D-18V for sale on umgf.com

[@lastofthemohicans1]

Well....?

[@yousellouts]

The D15M is an all mahogany dreadnought.

[@lancehunt8284]

That pick up hurts the value of that guitar

[@lovewalruss]

‘Don’t need’?

[@astrophotonics9470]

Hole drilled, right there i walk away...........

[@thomastommy1192]

Buy that D18. You need it. Offer him 1300. lol. Nice guitar.

[@joeblow9931]

sounds a little dead compared to my 63 d18

[@MrDunosan]

50-year old wood? i thought you are a guitar fan? cmon.. its more than that..

[@AnthonyBurrito1313]

Buy a Gibson J45 1944

[@fiveeyes2802]

No!