I need advice/opinions . . .

[dogberry]

. . . and I knew this was the place to ask for them. For some time I've been wishing for a smaller body, short scale guitar. Had a Tacoma ER28 a few years back, great sounding guitar, but didn't like the feel of the neck and fretboard. Over the last year I've played a few Taylor GC's, and tried out some Martins at the local Guitar Center (the only place in town that carries Martins -- otherwise I'd never set foot in there). A few weeks ago I visited Dusty Strings in Seattle (aka Heaven -- Dustry Strings, that is, not Seattle) and played some Martin 00's and 000's -- they played like dreams. I admit, I was smitten by a 1937 style 000-18. No chance I'd ever be able to afford it, at a shade over $7,000. And then I saw this ad:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/1616934205.html
and I am seriously tempted. So here are the questions:
1. Does that seem like a reasonable price (assuming it's in as good condition as the ad says)?
2. Does anyone have any experience with that pickup? I don't have any experience with acoustic pickups, but am interested in having a guitar with a pickup.
3. Guild doesn't make anything like this, right? I'm excluding the GAD series -- I've played a couple GAD's that have a short scale, and they didn't impress. Old F-30's, I think, had a short scale, but they don't come along very often, and the few I've seen for sale on c-list, ebay, etc are pretty dear.

So there ya have it. I may be buyin' a Martin.

 

[FNG]

Have you checked out www.umgf.com ?

I don't enough about Martins to offer an opinion, but those folks do! :lol:

 

[evenkeel]

First let me address the pickup. I used to have a guitar with that pick up and regularly play at a open mic where the host plays a Martin dread with that pick up. It's a very good system. The sound is not quite as natural and "woody" as my K&K. But it does have more presence. He runs it thru a LR Baggs DI box, which is a must to get the most out of the pickup. FYI, the host at the open mic changes batteries fairly often, but he plays 5-6 gigs a week. By comparision the 9 volt battery in my K&K preamp lasts for a year or so, playing twice a week.

The price is pretty good. Of course I'd come with cash and offer $1,200-$1,300 just because.

The Morgan Monroe in my sig. is a Martin 000-28 knock off. All solid wood, forward shifted X bracing. She's a joy to play. I love the smaller body, the shorter scale. Great balanced tone. Not at all rumbly, like a dread. Also has the narrower nut, 1 11/16 (like the Martin) rather than the 1 3/4 found on the GAD 30 for example.

 

[jgmaute]

I just had an L.R. Baggs M1A installed in my D55 and I love it. The "A" (Active) uses a small watch-like battery and a friend of mine who has the same pickup told me they last forever. They are located on the pickup. The volume control is also very nice and easy to use.

I don't know about the price and agree that the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum is a great source. You could check out their Buy and Sell thread or join and post the question. Getting the guitar with the paperwork is nice but the original warranty is not transferable.

I've got a GAD30R that I like for the size, sound, 1 3/4 neck, and price. How it would compare to the Martin 000-18? I have no idea. (You're dealing with rosewood vs mahogany,US made vs China, and a different type of finish.) It of course, can't begin to catch my '62 00-21NY.

Good luck with your decision. Joan

 

[chicagowineguy]

I would suggest you look at this:


F30R's have a great reputation...the ones I've played are superb fingerstyle intstruments!

http://williesguitars.com/index.cfm/oth ... nventory/7

 

[dogberry]

I would suggest you look at this:


F30R's have a great reputation...the ones I've played are superb fingerstyle intstruments!

http://williesguitars.com/index.cfm/oth ... nventory/7

I saw that too. I've never bought a guitar I over the web or that I couldn't test drive. What do you do if you find you don't like the sound or the feel? :x Reselling means losing money, and I don't need help doing that, I do it just fine as it is! So I get very anxious and verklempt about buying a guitar sight unseen over the web. Sheesh, what a weenie. I'll call 'em. :roll:

 

[kitniyatran]

I'm pretty sure that's a good price if the guit's in any kind of decent condition, & LR Baggs are pickups of note, so I think you wouldn't go wrong if you bit.

 

[Ridgemont]

well, the post was pulled. did you get it???????


P.S. Dusty Strings is one of the nicest guitar stores I have ever been too. Can spend hours there.

 

[dogberry]

well, the post was pulled. did you get it???????


P.S. Dusty Strings is one of the nicest guitar stores I have ever been too. Can spend hours there.

Yep. Supposed to arrive today. This afternoon. Which it officially is now, and has been for just over an hour. Not that I'm watchin' the clock or anything.

Anxiously,
Dogberry

 

[Ian]

And as an interesting little aside I got to play a 000 18v today at a shop in town. It was selling on behalf for $4500 NZD (new here they are about $7K). This is the first 000 18 that I had ever played. Had a 1 3/4 nut and the big chunky v neck that I didn't like. Sounded OK. Funny thing was the guy in the shop was commenting on how loud it was blah, blah, blah, and I'm thinking " Man if you ever heard my F30 !!!!"

 

[chicagowineguy]

sure hope it's as great as it looked! Let us know!