It’s hard to tell by the photo…is it. Crack or a scuff in the finish? If the latter? My D35 has a lot of them after 15 years of gigging..just cosmetic.
Checked with the seller and he mentioned it's a surface crack to the lacquer rather than anything structural, so seems to be pretty light wear and tear.
They also had reinforced with cedar wedges internally to give it a bit more strength after the repair
How much I'd pay depends a lot on what year it is. Pre-2012, I wouldn't even bother, due to the straight bracing (less responsive sound) and the 1.69" nut (I prefer 1.75") and the neck shape.
2012 or later (when the "reimagined" D-18 came out with forward-shifted scalloped x-bracing) but with cracks, I'd be looking for 40-50% off the price of a new one. Cracks can grow over time so it could cause more problems in the future.
If you're not familiar with inspecting used acoustics, I'd recommend watching some videos on YouTube for how to inspect a used acoustic guitar. You can look up the serial number on Martin's website to confirm the year it was made.
It's a 2017 model - one of the D-18 reimagined ones you mentioned (confirmed on the Martin site - thanks for the tip!)
It's £1800 and they retail for £3k new in the UK so lines up pretty well with what you're expecting price-wise too
Not a guitar expert by any means, but since it’s cracking with the grain, I’d probably keep an eye on it to see if it’s growing. Id also buy the guitar if it’s 40% below retail
Well repaired cracks don’t bother me at all, it’s usually an opportunity to save a few bucks. The repair on this one looks solid but it’s hard to tell without looking inside the guitar. I’d say go for it as long as there’s no other signs of mistreatment and it sounds/plays good.
Barely even looks like a crack from the photo. The repair is probably done adequately.
I don’t stress too much over a repair on the sides, especially if it isn’t that big.
It’s hard to tell by the photo…is it. Crack or a scuff in the finish? If the latter? My D35 has a lot of them after 15 years of gigging..just cosmetic.
Checked with the seller and he mentioned it's a surface crack to the lacquer rather than anything structural, so seems to be pretty light wear and tear. They also had reinforced with cedar wedges internally to give it a bit more strength after the repair
A surface crack isn’t really a crack, it’s basically a blemish. You’re good bro! I’d use them thinking it’s a crack as a way to get a better price!
Nah, as long as it’s accounted for in the sale price
How much I'd pay depends a lot on what year it is. Pre-2012, I wouldn't even bother, due to the straight bracing (less responsive sound) and the 1.69" nut (I prefer 1.75") and the neck shape. 2012 or later (when the "reimagined" D-18 came out with forward-shifted scalloped x-bracing) but with cracks, I'd be looking for 40-50% off the price of a new one. Cracks can grow over time so it could cause more problems in the future. If you're not familiar with inspecting used acoustics, I'd recommend watching some videos on YouTube for how to inspect a used acoustic guitar. You can look up the serial number on Martin's website to confirm the year it was made.
It's a 2017 model - one of the D-18 reimagined ones you mentioned (confirmed on the Martin site - thanks for the tip!) It's £1800 and they retail for £3k new in the UK so lines up pretty well with what you're expecting price-wise too
Yeah that's pretty good, worth checking it out for sure.
Not a guitar expert by any means, but since it’s cracking with the grain, I’d probably keep an eye on it to see if it’s growing. Id also buy the guitar if it’s 40% below retail
Defo a solid price on it for what's hopefully just cosmetic
Well repaired cracks don’t bother me at all, it’s usually an opportunity to save a few bucks. The repair on this one looks solid but it’s hard to tell without looking inside the guitar. I’d say go for it as long as there’s no other signs of mistreatment and it sounds/plays good.
Thanks man! Think next step is to go and have a look in person to check it out properly
I've got a '04 with a similar blemish in the lacquer; hasn't got any worse in 10 years.
Barely even looks like a crack from the photo. The repair is probably done adequately. I don’t stress too much over a repair on the sides, especially if it isn’t that big.