Should you ruin your life buying a Pre War Martin? Featuring
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- Опубликовано: 20 сен 2022
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In 1974 I made a quick $900 on a pot deal and bought a year old D28. When I got to the sellers house his wife invited me in and told me her husband was on his way home from work. The guy did kid's birthday parties and he walked in with the guitar wearing a full clown suit. So I bought a Martin with pot money from a clown. Can't make this stuff up.
Back in 1977 I got some income tax money back and bought a new Martin D-35 for $700. Back then I had a guitar teacher that went and bought a 1941 Martin D-28 for the huge sum of $2,500 which I thought was all the money in the world at the time. I couldn't imagine that that an old guitar would be worth that much money, then he played it and I thought "yeah, it's worth $2,500!"
I wonder what that ‘41 D-28 is worth today
I bet alot of people thought he was crazy for paying that much for an old used guitar! Lol
I used the inflation calculator to see what those numbers would be today. $700 in 1977 would be $3,421 today and $2,500 would be $12,218 today. Can you buy a '41 D-28 for $12,218? New D-35 these days can probably be bought for $2,500.
@@edmondlau511 That makes sense. According to my Martin reference book, a new D-35 in '77 was $950 ~ $1050 (a price increase during the year I'd guess, my $700 purchase was a discounted price). I'm not sure where you could buy a new D-35 for $2,500 today, Martin has pretty good control over their pricing and I could not find anyone discounting them. In 1976 Martin had just released the HD-28 which is what I feel created the wide interest in pre-war Martins, so back then they had not reached the cult-like status they enjoy today and were more affordable. The only '41 D-28 I could find a price for online today was asking $55k, I think that reflects their collectable status more than any actual sound quality value.
@@michaelparks3106 a couple years ago, I was trying to move some guitars and buy a '67-'69 Brazilian rosewood D-28. Unfortunately it didn't happen. Is it better than my 2003 D-28 that's well broken in? Maybe not but I knew at the very least that Brazilian rosewood D-28 would likely not drop in value and be something for my daughter to keep or sell in the future. Do you still have your '77 D-35?
Every guitar you buy now IS a pre war guitar.
I agree with John and Jeremy the Guitar Hunter. Old is good sounding. New can be close and will grow into it. Thanks folks
Just as long as they don't crack and fall apart like the new martins I have owned.
the second thing he played with the chords sounded amazing and perfect. Old wood. There is no substitute for the real old wood.
A Martin D-18 opens up at about 2 years and then again at 12 years. You have to play them to get a great one.
The age is far less important than playing time. If you play one of those say, two hours a day, seven days a week, it'll open up far quicker. It's the vibrating of the top that does it.
Yes, this is a "Golden Age" of instrument building.
The old instruments have inspired modern makers. So the new instruments can now inspire modern players.
You still have to pay for quality, but why not enjoy playing a "healthy" new instrument (for a fraction of the cost of vintage), that only gets better with play. You can then pass it on, once it's broken in to the next player.
There can yet be "vintage" in our future.
Wow, that that old Martin sounds beautiful like prime tone with great intonation. Who would sell a friend? Its a keeper and out of my dead hands.
This was a fun tour. Thanks Jeremy!
That's am amazing Martin D-18, and all of those pre-wars are just fantastic. What a beautiful collection, and I didn't know they existed. About a 3 hour drive south to check them out. May just have to get down there.
Hope your time in Missouri was good, too.
No one should ruin their life to buy any guitar but I know the title of the video is a little tongue in cheek. Anyway, old wood and old guitars are cool if they are in playable shape, but they bring along with them their own maintenance issues and worries about using them, taking them places, etc. And I believe guitars are meant to be played! I also totally agree that old wood makes a big difference. I get professionals buying a vintage one if it is a good one, but I don't totally get "normal" people buying a vintage one. If money is no object to the buyer, it isn't hurting anything, but for most people, it doesn't make a lot of sense. There are many makers and models made today that will get you close enough.
What a fun video!!! Like hanging out at the shop with friends :) Yes, his D-18 is amazing sounding. I have a few Martins in the 30-50-year-old range and you can already tell they sound different than my new ones. Better? Not sure but more focused and more wooden sounding. I regret not getting a 1942? D-28 a few years back. Light as a feather and super focused. The repairs it had scared me off and now I realize they all have their scars. The Prewar guitar company makes the best new old-sounding guitars IMO. The closest to a pre-war Martin I have heard or played.
Great playing man. I really hope to get to the acoustic shop n meet John one day. I love his music n the way he plays
I own a '41 D-18 and it is an amazing instrument. Jeremy is right when he talks about the "force field" you feel when playing one. It's a cannon!
I always thought my 1970 D-18 would always be my favorite guitar. But when John and the guys at the Acoustic Shoppe introduced me to the Eastman OM10-TC, I have hardly touched the Martin.
CF Martin Sr. built the first X-braced guitar in 1843 for the popular guitarist, Madame Delores N. de Goñi. Since that time, Martin has built millions of guitars with the bracing pattern, refining and perfecting the design over time
Loved it, great video! I have a few Epiphone masterbilts that are so resonant and dependable, I’ll likely keep them the rest of my life.
Very cool! Thanks!
Great piece! I got my pre-war guitar a few years ago for $800 - an L-30 Gibson archtop from the 1930’s. It’s the same body as an L-00, which would have been $4000. It needed some TLC; the frets are still worn like crazy, but it plays oh so sweet. It has the most comfortable neck, a soft V. They are out there!
that d18 realy have that classic old bass martin sound.. it amazing
I have a Collings D2H and it sounds great, but those old Martins are special. That old D18 is magic.
I always wanted a Martin. Thought they were the end all be all of bluegrass picking. To celebrate my first daughter I was gonna buy myself a guitar. I played every 1500 dollar Martin and taylor and decided to try out this Gibson acoustic and it blew the martins and Taylor’s out of the water. I was sold. Best guitar I’ve ever owned.
Keep telling yourself that! Haha I’m kidding
@@markmann7405 it’s probably not as good as a vintage Martin haha but at the 1500 level, I was sold man.
the instrument chooses you in that scenario as gorgeous as the martins were the gibson was meant for you
Wonderful episode Jeremy!
Cool interview and beautiful guitars!
I saw that guitar in a comparison with a Thompson D-MA on one of the acoustic shoppe's videos. It was a really good comparison, and showed you can get a lot of the vintage sound with some of these new premier level dreadnaughts.... The Thompson sounded fantastic in that video, but there's something about this old D-18 that is slightly more complex and warmer.
I’m glad to see the Acoustic Shoppe getting some more exposure. I’d love to meet John in person and jam with him. Such a great guy. That 1897 Martin has to be x braced.
The small Adirondack Martin is absolutely awesome imo. My uncle's got my grandfather's pre war Martin(edit-I don't know what model), and he's handing it down to his son, who plays as well. He calls it a "forever guitar" meaning nobody sells it, and no matter what happens to it, it gets fixed to playable condition. I haven't seen it in years, but I'm sure they still play it every day multiple times. Ironically, his favorite guitar if an old F-65 Fender acoustic, and I have to agree with his obsession with it, it sounds amazing.
Why was it not more expensive ?
I bought RC Snoddy's personal 1941 D18 some years ago. Great guitar. I sold it in part to finance a home when I returned to the USA. I own a 2005 D18 Authentic 1937 I bought in Tokyo in 2006. This guitar has smoked every 18 I have played. So you can still get a great Martin D18. Just don't by one with a torrified top.
X Bracing was introduced between 1840 and 1850, most probably in 1843. It was installed on a guitar made for Madame Delores N. de Goni.
I played a 1937 or 38 D -18 at Elderly about 15 years ago or so. It was the best sounding guitar I’ve ever played. It didn’t chord the easiest, but the sound made up for it. If I was to ever hit one of those Powerball jackpots, I’d probably make a tour of music stores around the US.
Love them old Work Horse Guitars. Honduran is my favorite B&S Wood. That old Box sounds incredible. Many of The New Customs made in the last few Decades are incredible instruments- but there’s Mojo with them old ones. That 1939’ Kalamazoo is sweet Too!! I X-Braced my 1938’ Recording king model K - 9 years ago. And installed a Carbon fiber Truss rod. It’s a incredible guitar. Great Video Jeremy 👍. John seems like a great guy🇺🇸
Fantastic video. George Gruhn said that guitars being made today are the best instruments made during his lifetime. The biggest difference is the materials in these old prewar guitars is better than what is available today unless maybe you buy a sinker wood guitar. That said, the woods used today are still more than sufficient. I own some vintage 50's/60's Gibson electrics. The difference is there, but it's an extra 5-15%. Nothing drastic. Also, the newer guitars tend to be a bit more versatile. My experience with most older guitars is that they have very strong personalities that give them a more defined role & character. They can still be versatile but it's easier to find a newer guitar that fits that bill.
Completely agree. I’ve owned and played quite a few desirable vintage instruments, and just like today’s instruments, they are all different. Some are great, some are OK. Those are the facts…On a side note, I tried 6 different sinker mahogany D-18’s at Gruhn’s 3 years ago, fully prepared and even stoked to take one home with me, but I walked away with nothing. They were OK, and that’s all. Just being honest. I love the old stuff and the history behind it. The stories those instruments could tell…But they are not always the best.
Can’t afford a real pre-War, but I do own a Martin D18E Retro. It plays and sounds amazing, too.
What a great guitar!
ohh that style 17, what a beauty! I started doing funny math in my head.
My dad had an old arch top that looked exactly like the one you guys were holding. I have no idea what the brand was. I took it to a local luthier back in the late 80s and they told me it would cost more to fix than the guitar was worth and it ended up getting thrown away. My dad passed in 1997 and I wish I had said I don’t care how much just fix it.
Excellent video.
Some of the best ways to get a good sound from a pre war guitar ,1/ New strings 2/Some
fine and good choice of "Bluegrass" music" to put the instrument through it's paces 3/
To record it digitaly. Anyway my thoughts .thx
I bought my d18 golden era around 10 years ago, and it sound completely different after that much time and play. More bass, rounded highs. Can’t wait to hear it in another 10 :)
If you have a home stereo leave your guitar in front of the speaker all the time. You will notice a difference playing it
I had one many years ago. Just couldn’t get used to the neck and the Adirondack top was so tight. Never got it to open up and sold it after a couple years.
If you can buy a Pre-war Martin, your life is already pretty good
I totally agree about how much better guitars are being built now a days. I've said before that if you were to take a guitar from SCGC, Collings, Boucher, etc and take a time machine to the 1930's, they would sound better than anything around.
Just think,
How good they’ll sound in a 100 years!
I think Martin had the finest craftsmen from 1930-1940 and that is one reason those guitars sound so wonderful!😎
Boucher mapped prewar martins about 10 years ago at gruens.
Damn that guitar sounds insane! So good...
Always only buy what you can afford. Yes, you can get a Pre War guitar, that doesn't say Martin on the headstock, for an affordable price. For a few years, my goal was to get a birth year guitar. That would make it a 1951. Even a 51 Martin is out of my price range. I was hoping that I could find a Harmony Sovereign in that year but I think that production on them started a few years later. I will just try to be happy with the guitars that I have and enjoy them for as long as I can.
I will never buy a vintage guitar again unless it's an absolute steal. Too many good options in new guitars today and many are very reasonable. With that said the best guitar that I've personally owned I bought in 1974. It was a 1965 Martin 00-21NY. I paid $225 for it with a soft shell case. Unmolested with no cracks or even scratches. A Jesuit monk had been the owner. I also had a 1964 Martin D-28SW that was an amazing sounding, deep voiced instrument and even though I had it for about 40 years the large neck became more and more difficult to play as I aged so I regretfully parted with it for four times what I had paid for it.
That 18 has a super fat sound. Beautiful, my friends.
C.F. Martin Sr. built the first X-braced guitar in 1843 for the popular guitarist, Madame Delores N. de Goñi.
I’ve had the privilege of owning a 1936 Gibson L-00 and now own a 1930 Gibson L-1. They are the best playing and sounding acoustics I’ve ever had. Had a 1950 Martin 000-28 and a 75 D-28 ( which were both lovely guitars) but somehow pre war guitars have a certain sound you just can’t replicate. They are “ forever” guitars. Whether it’s the construction or the tone woods they used back then most are just amazing. I’d take one over a high priced boutique guitar any day.
Martin built the first x braced guitar in 1843 and starting using it on most guitars shortly after.
Think I’ll just snag a 50’s or 60’s and wait for the age. I get to play Tony Rice’s actual Santa Cruz from time to time. Tony wrote a letter for the owner saying no one would be able to tell if he was playing the SC or his Martin. He mentions a recording he used both on and dares you to figure out which one is which. Would still love to own a prewar Martin and a prewar Gibson banjo.
I e-mailed you too, but the answer for the first x-braced Martin is 1843
Ive played a pre-war D18 from 1937 at Gruhn's, but closest I got to a pre war D28 was a 1946 Herringbone at Carter's the same day. Last year of the herringbone. It looked like it had been dragged behind a pickup truck down a gravel road, and they were asking $17,500 for it about 4 years ago.
I love seeing someone that can actually play owning one of these, and not some blues lawyer
Haha exactly! Jeremy is a newbie flipper but he can play. We could be hearing an old fat lawyer doing the barfie 1_4_5 thing, like we need to hear that 100001 times lol
New or old every guitar has its own voice and not all are equal.
Damn, that thing is incredible.
They had a great selection of old guitars and mandolins last I was there. Down the road a bit is third eye they are the authority on Les Paul's. A bit further down the road is a huge private collection of like 5000. They are all on RUclips.
old is gold.....
Guys, it was 1843 that Martin built a guitar with X bracing for a women solo guitarist. Also, finally the best video from Acoustic Shoppe yet. Not only entertaining but informative. Thanks
What is the text me on telegram supposed to mean
@@jefferyclark351 they tell you that you won a free expensive guitar, but they need you to PayPal them $200 for shipping from Brazil!
@@alexnichols9092 thanks a lot / their doing this in all the popular videos comments. Just more lazy people who refused to work. Bad thing about it is they probably have skills that they could make more money than the scam
What specific about a pre-war guitar makes it different? What happened after the war that changed the guitar making process? How do pre-war guitars differ from post-war guitars, especially guitars make in the late 40’s and early 50s?
Always heard most acoustic’s open up and sound better after 10 years, My Martin is 16 years old and is sounding O so good. I tell people all the time, spend good money on a guitar, it will only increase in value. I paid $1,500 Cdn. for my HD28 12 years ago, good luck finding a used one these days for that. Thanks for the video, always great watching.🙏😎
The prices on guitars has been ridiculous these past few years
Martin started X-bracing in 1843. Waiting for my shirt 🙂
I have a pre 1867 1-26 that is x-braced, there is no actual date but the 3 stamps date it to pre 1867, so Martin was x-bracing before 1867.
Forward shifted bracing ended in 1938. I have a 38 D-28 and it is forward shifted braced.
Sadly I was forced to sell my 1943 D18 12 years ago. I was dead broke. Would rather have lost a kidney…
I have studied research and development for guitars and construction. The one common factor for classical and acoustic guitars is the soundboard. I found over time, the solid spruce and cedar soundboards have a certain sound that comes with age and really gravity. The wood fibers collapse more and give a more mellow sound. All wood is hydroscopic (meaning it will take on water from the day it is cut, really until the day it is used for fuel), no disrespect here. Cedar becomes more smooth, spruce seems to have a quick attack with a longer delay, more harmonics. This accounts for the tonal qualities for the older instruments. Notice I did not say better constructed. Bear this in mind, modern manufacture is far superior. Although much of the past is carried forward today. I hope this helps.
Stayed in a hotel in New York with a shower like that. Didn't realize it until my grandson took a shower while we were in the bedroom area!!! Everyone was surprised.
I can appreciate how remarkable it is that an 80(ish) year old guitar sounds so good and the history of it interests me too, but it would be irresponsible of me spending tens of thousands of dollars on one (I earn good money but not that much). I’m also not particularly nostalgic. While not everything that is new is an improvement, I’d rather have a premium modern guitar fresh from the factory. I’m not saying that no one should buy one, if it gives you pleasure and you can afford it then that’s awesome
hard to tell the recording quality isnt that great to tell how good it is
Amazing guitars. Wish I could own one 😜
I'll take a pre-war Gibson any day. Preferably, a L-5 or L-7. LedHed Steven
Man I am so glad I found these old Sigmas. I paid $200 for it and another $200 to have my tech get it in working order and it’s one of those unique killer cheap for the sound players. Has that old Abbey Road George Harrison vibe and Gilmours Wish You were here. Just awesome
I think that difficult playability / challenging neck profile, for some folks, would offset (at least slightly) the amazing tone and mojo of an old guitar
more than slightly for many
They play as good as any with a setup by someone that knows what they are doing
time is of the essence, i have a 1940 ish patrician by harmony and a 2023 seagul both cheap solid wood guitars my seagul is loud and brassy while the old one is woody mellow and a note lives longer i like the sound of the old one better need to repair tuner though darn
Great epidsode guys. Love the D-18 with all of it's imperfections. And the Kalamazoo, what a beauty! I have a 1936 KHG-14 X-braced (yep) that sounds amazing. There's so much "dissing" of vintage guitars that have been refinished etc... so this is a refreshing looking at an old bone with a bit of extra finish on it. It sounds... EPIC. :)
(Subscribed)
X bracing was developed in 1850's. From Tony Cook's Ultimate Guitar Book
Jeremy, It doesn't bother me that I don't own a 1940 Martin D-18. I do own a very nice sounding Martin D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged. It doesn't sound as nice as the vintage Martin, but it also didn't cost me $70,000 and I'm okay with that.
I have a d28 Authentic 1937, 2 yrs old sounding really good now. Just bought a Boucher Bluegoose, sounds even better brand new.
I have a 1939 0-18. Very clean guitar that looks almost new. Super full sound. I have eight old 0-18's. 1923 to 1968
You can get great sounds out of Martin pre war guitars besides dreadnaughts. My best sounding old guitar is a 1931 0-21 I paid $8400 for. When people hear it in person they stop bothering me about the relatively high price. I am lucky that people ignored the 0 size in the past keeping their price down.
The 1950's are good years for vintage Martin guitars that are somewhat affordable. The 1930's and up to 1943 are great but very expensive.
I would really like a nice 1929 0-45. Way too expensive for me at this time.
Sweetest sounding D-18
Thought I heard a Tone Traveler running somewhere in the background, then I saw it on that mandolin hanging by the door.
Good ear!
Anyone know what the opening tune is? It’s vaguely reminiscent of Bill Cheatham, but I suspect it’s another classic fiddle tune I’d love to learn!
RE: the hotel room. We stayed in a similarly designed room in Vienna a few years ago, but there was no design on the glass. No frosting. Just clear glass, top to toe. No modesty. No shame. RE: the D-18. Force field is right. It also takes someone who knows how to get sound out of a guitar. Great instrument!
🤣🤣 this is my favorite!
In 1990, I paid $350 for a 1974 Martin D-18 with the blue case from a guy going through a divorce. Amazing sound!
Dang he must have sold them, I can’t find those smaller Martin’s on their website.
He also must have scratched it when he banged it with his ring !!!
If you can afford it and are able to appreciate the qualities of a fine instrument. Then why not.
If you can afford it then you aren't ruining your life.
Historically Martin began the rear shifted scalloped bracing in mid (July-Aug) 1938, not 1937 as John stated. Martin went to 1-11/16" nut width in mid 1939, not 1940 as John stated in this video. Martin first started X bracing in 1843.
The D-18 blew me away!
Just for fun before watching the video. My answer to the question is "No." For me, musical instruments are meant to be played and enjoyed. Even if I could afford a prewar Martin, I probably wouldn't get one. In my opinion, there are a lot of newer used guitars out there that will get you most of the way there tone wise.
I currently own a Larrivée D-09BZ. It's a gorgeous guitar,and a great player. But there are a lot of places that I'm not comfortable taking the guitar. I recently bought an 11 series Recording King dreadnaught to have a dive bar, open mic, campfire jam, etc. guitar. It's a little jangley and bright for my tastes right now, but I that it'll open up and improve over the next year or two.
I recently discovered your channel Jeremy. I really appreciate the values you convey about guitars and music.
nice sounding pick..Is your pick a triangle like a BC TAD? Do you have C.L contact email?
who would ruin their life for a guitar.....THey are meant to better your life and soul......LETS GO.....
It's a great resturant!
Damn, brothers from different mothers.
I have a 43 d-18 was my grandmother’s and it needs a neck reset and has a little hole on the side of it needs a new nut but it will be getting fixed soon
Dont change the nut. A good luthier will use filler and a dental laser to raise the slots. Same with the saddle. Experts have suggested there is only a small percentage of these martins left that are all original and if yours is its worth a boatload more money. A refret and neckset is all you should ever allow so it plays and sounds great
Came for the guitar, stayed for the hotel shower.
Answer- YES, IF you have the money, and it's a Banjo killer like that!
When you closed the door that is what I was thinking. Did he put the key card back in his pocket? Dang, Locked out! Been there brother Jeremy. Anyway onto the Martin!
😂 I had to do the walk of shame downstairs tot he front desk.
@@JeremySheppard I know that walk!
Thanks. From a lefty.
I have been working an extra job and saving the money to buy my husband a pre-war Martin. He is so good, and it will turn me on so much just to give him his guitar of his dreams.
Question:
Should I get him a D-28 or D-18?
fantastic:-)
what's the name of the song you play at 8:16. I absolutely know it but for the life of me I cant think of its name.
It does sound great. If you are a player and not a collector then this one is for you.
That guitar looks like a one of a kind XXXL Jumbo D-18 in that photo
It's forced perspective. 😂 I didn't know about the super D at the time this photo was taken