r/martinguitar

Sounds great but I’ve never seen a label like that. Do you think it’s legit or a fake?

Hi friends,

I'm looking into this used 2011 OM-28 as my first Martin, but those parallel varnish cracks seem strange . I'm reaching out to you for a quick analysis if these cracks are just cosmetic or the beginning, / sign that there might be issues with the top.

Thank you!

My dad’s D-18. It’s been through the ringer for sure, but gosh damn it sounds phenomenal.

This is one of those particular guitars that just stood out and resonated with me (pun intended) above all the others.

In GuitarGuitar, Birmingham, UK, a few weeks ago, I was curiously trying out D-18s, D-28s, a D-35, another HD-28 and a bunch of other variants, along with some Gibson J's and even a DSS-17 Whiskey Sunset (which is awesome, BTW.)

Then the clerk put this particular one in my hands and I sat there being hypnotised as my eyes closed, getting pulled into the sound while an involuntary smile spread across my face. 10 minutes later I sat up with a sudden intake of air, like I'd forgotten to breathe, knowing that my bank account was about to get lighter.

So many of those guitars sounded amazing. Even a Custom Shop Expert D-28 1937 Aged which was loud as hell! But none made me think I wanted to part with any amount of cash to have them. This one did. I didn't realise it had a pickup for a while and didn't even try it until last minute while the order was rung up.

It's sweet and rounded in that way that you hear of vintage guitars - nothing too bright or brittle and a thundering low end that stays firm and controlled. The notes are impeccably consistent, all the way up the board, with higher frets sounding as loud and punchy as the lower ones. The neck and frets are precision and it's got some little bear claw patterns in the book matched sitka. I'm sure I don't need to tell a Martin guitar sub how great a Martin is but mother of mercy, this thing is perfect.

I love finding gear this way, especially when it's something as variable as an acoustic guitar and as special as a Martin guitar. I managed to buy it thanks to inheritance money from my Dad who passed in 2020. I sat on enough to buy the right guitar when I came across it. My Dad's name was Martin.

Have been considering getting a new acoustic to take on camping trips, play around campfires and just be generally less worried about temp/humidity/damage than I am with my custom shop. Stopped by my local Long and McQuade and kind of fell in love with this one. I think the jangly 12 string sound will be well suited to camping in the mountains with friends.

Hey guys,

Wanted to share this guitar that my dad bought 5 or so years ago. He was told it was a prototype edition before the production line came out and it seemed like a steal at the time! This is a prototype Tattoo Martin from 2004 (#2/4).

I’ve looked up the history of this guitar but I’m curious what you guys think about its collectibility/value. As far as I can note, it’s USA made but with HPL back and sides.

MODEL Tattoo
CONSTRUCTION: Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint
BODY SIZE: 000-14 Fret
TOP: Traditional Tattoo Art Custom HPL
TOP BRACING PATTERN: 000-1 (A- frame)
TOP BRACES: 000-1 (A- frame) w/ Graphite Bridge & Bowtie Plate
BACK MATERIAL: Tawny Satinwood HPL Textured Finish
SIDE MATERIAL: Tawny Satinwood HPL Textured Finish
NECK MATERIAL: Natural Stratabond
NECK SHAPE: Modified Low Oval
NUT MATERIAL: Black Corian®
HEADSTOCK: Solid/6 String No Diamond/Square Taper
HEADPLATE: Traditional Tattoo Art Custom HPL Textured Finish With Printed Logo
HEELCAP: noneFRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16”
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2 1/8”
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: Old Style 18 – Abalone Pearl
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Morado
BRIDGE STYLE: 1 Style Belly
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2 1/8”
SADDLE: Compensated Black Tusq
TUNING MACHINES: Gotoh Black Knobs w/ CFM Logo
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin MSP 4100 Light Phosphor Bronze
BRIDGE & END PINS: Black w/ Pearl Dots
PICKGUARD: none
CASE: Dark Brown Western Motif Exterior with Mauve Plush Interior
INTERIOR LABEL: Tattoo Paper Label, Numbered In Sequence with Total

Just got my first Martin after dreaming of one for 30 years. #363 of 421

I swear I don’t work for MF. Another stupid deal. This time on the dreadnought version, the DSS-17. Just a heads up for those that may be interested.

I bought this new Martin d-28 it was off the wall though unfortunately as they didn’t have any in the back, they threw 10% off it was from guitar center would you guys send it back or keep it (edit) thanks everyone I realize now that I’m being silly it’s a great guitar and honestly I’d be happy only owning this Martin it sounds so amazing they did discount it so perhaps I’m just being snobby thank you everyone for your input really helped change the way I see it now

About 3 months ago, I finally pulled the trigger on a 000-18 after years of pining for one. I bought it locally from a guy on marketplace. We met up, I tried it, it seemed to check the boxes. He originally got it from a reputable local shop, so I felt good about its history, and the asking price was tempting: $1950. In hindsight, perhaps I should have been more critical in my evaluation, considering that it was generally speaking less than comparable market value. But I was hasty and blinded by my excitement and went for it. I didn't notice at the time what I noticed just a few days later as I scrutinized it more closely from the comfort of home: the neck is visibly separating from the body at the joint. It is a 2023 standard series, not a vintage instrument where the inevitable neck reset has come to pass.

It is otherwise a beautiful guitar, and still plays well and sounds nice, although I suspect the action is higher than it would otherwise be capable of.

But the buyer's remorse has been hard to shake, and overall, I am particularly bummed out about finally getting my hands on a real Martin and feeling like the actual takeaway is a lesson learned in buyer beware on the open marketplace.

So I am trying to decide what to do next. I imagine many readers will suggest going back to the seller in some manner. I have considered that, and to this point, I have not done so. In my opinion, far too much time has passed for me to justify asking for my money back.

Instead I have taken it to be evaluated by a reputable local luthier whose shop is an authorized Martin service shop. He sympathized with my plight, and diagnosed the cause as some kind of concussive event--maybe a fall off a stand at one point (my suggestion, not his, though he agreed). The newness of the guitar would support the theory, though there really are no other visible signs of damage. He would charge $600 for the reset, and presumably some nominal additional labor charge for the new setup to follow (unclear).

Should I try to sell the guitar in its current state, and acknowledge to buyers that a neck reset is in the near future? Are there even buyers out there for this sort of thing, and what could I expect fair asking to be?

Or should I proceed with having the work done? I will admit that there will always be a part of me, even after completing the reset, that will wonder if I bought a discounted lemon instead of what I hoped would be a lifelong cherished instrument. Which means I would likely be inclined to sell it even after the repair.

So which is the wiser path: sell it before or after the reset?

What do you all think of the retro road series that came out a bit ago?? I’m thinking of buying a 00012e that’s apart of that line, but I’m torn between that and the limited edition GP11e. I tried them both out in store and I’m seriously torn. I play a lot of finger style and I like the folkier sound, but I also value versatility. (I currently play a Taylor gs mini, so either would be an upgrade)

For those that care, this 000-17 is the stupid deal of the day at Musician’s Friend. I’m guessing this is a GC/MF version with this color and wood combo.