It Makes You Wonder

[Rich Cohen]

A 1960 Martin D-18 offered at Carter's Vintage Guitars in Nashville. I don't know what people think about such guitars and the prices for which they are asked. Give me a break!
https://cartervintage.com/products/martin-d-18-2038?mc_cid=ceecba9344&mc_eid=6b163b9bb3

 

[davismanLV]

That linked me to a Martin D-18. Beat to hell and back!!

 

[chazmo]

Yup, that's a Martin. Doesn't even really qualify as an "old" Martin, but that's the cachet of the brand at work.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

I'm sure Rich meant Martin and just typed Gibson.

 

[dreadnut]

Yeah, that asking price is just plain stupid.

 

[richardp69]

The D 18 is a wonderful guitar but that's certainly more than I'd pay for that one.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Their asking prices on their two guilds are pretty ambitious too:

Guild F-20 Aqua 1986

A rare Aqua Guild F-20 from the mid '80s! This particular example is in excellent overall condition. Comes with the original hard case. Specs Top Wood - Spruce Fingerboard Wood - Rosewood Scale Length - 25.5" Nut Width - 1 5/8" Pickup(s) - None Case - Original Hard Case

cartervintage.com

Guild G-45 1983

This example of Guild's Hank Williams Jr. model is in excellent condition for its age. the guitar is #34 of 67. Specs Top Wood -Spruce Back/Side Wood - Maple Fingerboard Wood - Ebony Scale Length - 25 1/2" Nut Width - 1 11/16" Pickup(s) - None Case - Original Hard case

cartervintage.com

I've stopped into Carter's several times during trips to Nashville, and I do like the "working musicians" vibe around the place.

 

[HeyMikey]

This guy might like it... but otherwise that’s just nuts.

 

[FNG]

Wonder how it sounds?

 

[davismanLV]

That Aqua Guild F-20 looks like it's brand new!! Beautiful, but expensive.

 

[GGJaguar]

He must have a high overhead or just plain think that the Carter Vintage Guitar name demands a premium.

 

[Br1ck]

Carter's has been in business a long time. They know exactly what the market is, and I hear they discount heavily. They are in a very competitive market. If it were the sound I was looking for, I'd consider it. My least favorite look is shiny brand new, and a clean guitar of that age is a red flag for a dud. The very best guitar I've ever played, a 39 J 35, was also the most patched together guitar I'd ever seen for sale. I will forever regret not paying $7500 for it. I'd much rather have that old D 18 than a newer D 18 Authentic. These that costs too much discussions usually boil down to I don't have the money to pay the going market price. I used to get a coke and a comic book for 25 cents. That same quarter would be worth $4.50 today.

Carter's knows exactly what the market is, and that guitar has been priced for it's condition.

 

[Stuball48]

The G45 is mine - got it from RichardP and not one thing wrong with it. Plays great, sounds great, and looks great to me. Carter's gets a 15% commission - and when Walter asked me what I wanted for it, I told him. He is over 15% and left plenty of wiggle room.
So, why am I selling it? To buy another acoustic. I have three Guild acoustics and do not want to sell the D55 or DV52 that leaves the G45. If it does not sell by Jan 30th, I will take that as an omen not to sell it.
Walter Carter has been a good man to deal with and has sold seven guitars for me in last three years.

 

[walrus]

..."well-loved"? Is that how you treat a guitar you love?

walrus

 

[Rich Cohen]

I'm sure Rich meant Martin and just typed Gibson.

Yup, you're right. Must be not gettin' 'nuf rack time.

 

[Guildedagain]

It's a rock star guitar, needs to be recorded, toured.

Gorgeous guitar, my luthier neighbor has one a lot like that, outstanding, you're lucky to be in the same room with a guitar like that. Considering the right 70's vintage D25/D35's are selling for sometimes upwards of $1500, Carter's price isn't out of line, maybe just slightly ahead of the curve.

The battered D18 I've had the pleasure of being in the room with, put it in a room full of brand new $3700 guitars, and watch everybody go for that one. You can't put it down, and there's gobs of guitars in that price range new I would never even take off the rack, nothing to do with how they play, they just don't turn me on, at all.

That Martin sure as hell does though, a birthyear guitar for me, way cool but I could never justify it. A) I'm not worthy. B) I already have a crapload of fantastic acoustics, D25, D35 and if I really wanted to play one all I have to do is walk over to his house.

Hey, that's my foot.

Here's something similar on Reverb for $5k that isn't even in the same league, Carter's guitar is way cooler.

Martin D-18 1946 - 1964 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

$6k for a nicer one that doesn't look like a refin.

Martin D-18 1946 - 1964 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

1950's prices go to $10k pretty easily, 40's $15k, and all the way to $50k for a nice prewar model.

 

[Brad Little]

Considering what the Fender relic series go for, and that this one has the mojo for real, compares well.

 

[marius]

Carter's has been in business a long time. They know exactly what the market is, and I hear they discount heavily. They are in a very competitive market. If it were the sound I was looking for, I'd consider it...
Carter's knows exactly what the market is, and that guitar has been priced for it's condition.

You’re probably right, they know how to price for their market and do very well in Nashville. In fact they’ve grown rapidly in what I would call a relatively short time in business. They opened in 2012 according to their About Us.

I’ll certainly be visiting if I ever make it to Nashville.

 

[Br1ck]

I'd put a pickguard on it though, provided I could find someone with the skills to match it to the guitar.

 

[adorshki]

That Aqua Guild F-20 looks like it's brand new!! Beautiful, but expensive.

Oh wow, I noted that unusual color and it took a couple of minutes to sink in that it's so unusual especially on an F20, that we might have seen it before. How many can there be?

So ya made me look!!

The one we saw before had what appeared to be some fracturing of at least the finish if not the wood itself, on the back of the headstock and on the sides of the neck just below the 'stock.

Sure enough, I was able to look at the pic of the back of headstock with my iMac's magic zoom feature, and there the cracks are.

Sure I could look for the previous sighting thread but you guys trust me, right?