How much is this martin worth?

mr breaker

New member
I've been looking for a nice acoustic for awhile now...(am willing to spend up to $1000 on new or used)

I saw this local listing:


Honey blond natural finish. Full sized body with double cutaway -- must see to believe. A singularly beautiful instrument. Tiger maple back and sides, other wood on top -- spruce? Bright sound. Plays good. Vol. and 3 band eq in side, 9 volt battery just inside the soundhole -- change it when you change your strings. Mother of pearl inlays on rosewood fretboard. I bought it new about 7 years ago. I've been happy with it, but I'm starting grad school and need the money. Hard case included. Come see or I can email you a picture. The model number is Shenandoah DC-6632.




martin_side.jpg

martin_neck.jpg

martin_back.jpg



Is this a good deal? I'm going to try and play it sometime this week, but would like to be armed with some pricing info before I try to bargain.

Anything else I should be wary of or look for when I actually play it? I don't know much about nice acoustics.
 
Re: How much is this martin worth?

Martins are typically expensive acoustics to begin with. What you have there is the most unique and (IMHO) one of the richest looking Martins I've ever seen. I'm guessing that he's asking for a good deal above a grand; if he sells it for less then I think he's a moron :D.

Still, ask him what he's looking for himself, you may end up with one hell of a steal. Man that's a nice acoustic...
 
Re: How much is this martin worth?

It doesn't matter, BUY IT!!!! I'm serious... that's one hell of a Martin... I'm actually impressed... did I mention BUY IT!!! :D
 
Re: How much is this martin worth?

Thanks...I actually was looking at that review earlier. Anyone else know anything else about this sucker?
 
Re: How much is this martin worth?

I may be wrong but I believe the Shanendoah line of Martins were made in Korea. Similar to the Sigma series. Don't consider this to be a negative. The woods were of high quality as the photo shows. The materials I believe were all cut here in the states and assembled in Korea. The label on the inside should confirm this. It is a beautiful looking guitar and I would not let the fact that it was made outside the USA concern you. I have and old Sigma D18 and it is a real nice sounding and playing guitar. Bottom line go play it and see. As far as what to look for: Check the angle of the neck. Make sure it does not need a neck reset. Check the top, back and sides for any visable cracks in the wood. Run your hand along the top behind the bridge. There should be a slight belly here, if there is not this can be rectified by hydrating the guitar. It is simply dried out. This can cause the top to sink and it could cause the bridge to lift off of the body. Which is the next thing to check. Take a piece of paper and see if you can pass it under the bridge. If you can the guitar will need to have the bridge removed and reglued. If you are buying the guitar locally. Buy it with the understanding you would like to have a tech go over it, and assuming there is nothing wrong with it you will buy it. If the tech tells you about any issues they should be able to quote what it would cost to repair any problems. All in all it looks like a nice guitar. The Maple back and sides will make it a bright guitar. Where Rosewood or Mahogony will give a more balanced Tone!! Good Luck and I hope this helps you. Check out this info: http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/Martin_Shenandoah_Guitar.htm
 
Re: How much is this martin worth?

Bludave said:
I may be wrong but I believe the Shanendoah line of Martins were made in Korea. Similar to the Sigma series. Don't consider this to be a negative. The woods were of high quality as the photo shows. The materials I believe were all cut here in the states and assembled in Korea. The label on the inside should confirm this. It is a beautiful looking guitar and I would not let the fact that it was made outside the USA concern you. I have and old Sigma D18 and it is a real nice sounding and playing guitar. Bottom line go play it and see. As far as what to look for: Check the angle of the neck. Make sure it does not need a neck reset. Check the top, back and sides for any visable cracks in the wood. Run your hand along the top behind the bridge. There should be a slight belly here, if there is not this can be rectified by hydrating the guitar. It is simply dried out. This can cause the top to sink and it could cause the bridge to lift off of the body. Which is the next thing to check. Take a piece of paper and see if you can pass it under the bridge. If you can the guitar will need to have the bridge removed and reglued. If you are buying the guitar locally. Buy it with the understanding you would like to have a tech go over it, and assuming there is nothing wrong with it you will buy it. If the tech tells you about any issues they should be able to quote what it would cost to repair any problems. All in all it looks like a nice guitar. The Maple back and sides will make it a bright guitar. Where Rosewood or Mahogony will give a more balanced Tone!! Good Luck and I hope this helps you. Check out this info: http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/Martin_Shenandoah_Guitar.htm

RIGHT !!! That is NOT a USA Martin. If I were going to spend up to $1,000....I'd make sure I bought a USA Martin !!!
 
Re: How much is this martin worth?

is it not worth $850?

I'm obviously only going to buy it if it sounds good, but I also would like to purchase something that will retain its value
 
Re: How much is this martin worth?

For the $$ you have to spend, look for a used D-18 or even a new D-15... :)
 
Re: How much is this martin worth?

D 18 is a real good guitar. It may be better to get a USA MArtin. They are just better. The D15 is all Mahagony.... great guitar for the money!
 
Re: How much is this martin worth?

Ok, I finally got around to going and checking this axe out. It's got some light wear and tear on it, but the action is great...like an electric. The double cutaway let's me get at all 22-frets without even trying.

The only thing is, the girl selling it had absolutely disgusting used strings on there...must not have been changed for years! So I could really tell too much about the sound.

I did plug it in to a solid state marshall combo and the pickups sounded really good. I think I can buy this off her for about $500 do you guys think that's a good deal?
 
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