My current acquisition

[Matt Sarad]

 

[Boreas]

Yeah - a quick search showed that Martin DID buy some ES in that era. Question is, did highly figured ES go to their 18 series guitars?? While not impossible, I would suspect not. This, and no hits, runs, or errors on this top is why I was speculating about a retop/upgrade at some point. A refinished top that old usually shows scuff scars and signs of dings and stains. My first impression of this top looks young.

Probably a quick way to tell is to look at the bracing. After the war, they stopped scalloping braces on many models. If this shows scalloped bracing, it may be further evidence of a retop. It is a beautiful top, regardless!!

 

[willie ray]

very nice.

 

[haggardfan1]

I'm not a vintage Martin expert but I do own a couple and have worked on a few more. I didn't know that Martin used Egleman for tops (Adi and Sitka for sure) and I didn't know Egleman had bear claw. You should be able to tell easily if its been retopped which then opens the question of Why? Unless its been done, I would anticipate it needing a reset frets and maybe leveling the fretboard if the relief is too bad. I don't see a pickguard crack, the original p/t should have been finished over.

Are you using the term "Player's grade" in some specific manner? I haven't heard it before. It looks to be in remarkably good shape for its age.

Attached is a 1950's (don't remember the exact year) 00-18 that crossed my workbench for a reset, some frets and cracks and my '74 D-18.

Very nice. When I was growing up, my dad played a 000 Martin, vintage unknown, that my stepmother's mom had inherited from someone. He lost the guitar when they divorced, but I had played it a lot and it was sweet.

When dad died, there were only three things I wanted out of his belongings: his Bible, his firearms, and a mid 70s D18 Martin that ironically, I also lost while selling everything I owned to pay for a divorce.

I don't think the guitar had much collector value, but I'd sure like to still have it.

 

[39martind18]

1954 D18 Player's grade.
Engleman top?
Likely refinished.
Bridge has a few cracks.
Non original pickguard.
Looks like one original tuner.
Light as a bag of Cheetos.
Plays great with .010 string set.
Going in for inspection, bridge repair or replacement and period correct pickguard.

My old D18 greets your somewhat younger D18!

 

[Mr Ridesglide]

Fabulous!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Nice! I do believe you're short-shrifting it with tens, though. You'll hear a huge difference with twelves.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

The bridge has some cracks.I plan to go medium after repairs .

Oh! That explains it. Don't go higher than thirteens or you'll be flirting with a buckled top.