swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Jan 3, 2020 9:40:14 GMT -5
I read the following comment on another board talking about acoustics:
"...I own a very nice old D-18 from the "over built" era of the 1970's. Nice guitar, not outstanding."
I also owned a '70's era D-18, bought brand new and returned due to quality problems. I also owned a then-new mid-70's Gibson J-45, which was of the era when they limped the J-45 and J-50 together, design-wise. Non-sloped shoulder, and allegedly bad bracing design. Never my favorite guitar, although it was my only for several years as I was raising a young family. the 70's seemed to be a bad era for Gibson guitars overall, from what I've heard. Of course, in my price range I won't be looking at pre or-post war vintage. More likely it will be '70's to modern stuff but as I search for a decent, quality name ($1500 or so) acoustic, are there certain eras that I should avoid, either due to notorious quality control, or just bad design?
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Post by FlyonNylon on Jan 3, 2020 15:59:02 GMT -5
The '70s seem to take a bad rap for both acoustic and electric guitars, at least from general online reviews, etc.
My feeling with vintage instruments is: if you like playing it and it has the sound you're after (and isn't some financial burden) then by all means, go for it.
I would say though that IMO like motorcycles, the best sounding/playing acoustic guitars ever are probably being made as we speak. The advancements in playability and refinements in sound that makers such as Martin have embodied over the past 15 or so years more than make up for the questionable higher quality spruce/wood that was available 80 or so years ago. jmo. It's a great time to be a guitarist.
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Post by budg on Jan 3, 2020 17:30:05 GMT -5
I just bought a 72 D35 after reading about all the “horror” regarding the 70s era Martins and you know what? My D35 is an outstanding guitar and I got it at a killer price. The only thing that was wrong with it was the saddle was off by 1/16 . Easy fix. I think it cost 85 bucks to repair that. You can’t even tell. I had a newer D35 that I sold. This guitar is so much better. I don’t really believe in bad eras , just bad guitars. I’ll also say there are plenty of good 70s Martins in the 1500 range. That’s what I payed for my D35.
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Post by 6l6 on Jan 3, 2020 19:01:41 GMT -5
I think the two best values out there for acoustic guitars are Martins made in the 1970's and used Guilds.
Even if some of the Martins made need the bridge relocation, that's not a big deal and the guitars still represent an incredible value. That 50 year old wood doesn't hurt!
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Post by Lefty Rev on Jan 3, 2020 19:04:09 GMT -5
In general, people are asking more than $1,500 for '70's guitars now - but that's probably because a high tide rises all ships: the Martins and Gibsons from the 60's and back are commanding more money (Martins with Brazilian Rosewood, especially), so guitars from the '70's are often running in the $2,500 and up range (Martin stopped using Brazilian Rosewood in 1969), depending on if they need work (intonation fixed, new frets, neck reset, curling pickguard, etc.). Best to examine and play those in person to see what you're getting.
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Post by budg on Jan 4, 2020 7:51:37 GMT -5
In general, people are asking more than $1,500 for '70's guitars now - but that's probably because a high tide rises all ships: the Martins and Gibsons from the 60's and back are commanding more money (Martins with Brazilian Rosewood, especially), so guitars from the '70's are often running in the $2,500 and up range (Martin stopped using Brazilian Rosewood in 1969), depending on if they need work (intonation fixed, new frets, neck reset, curling pickguard, etc.). Best to examine and play those in person to see what you're getting. Agreed with this. I actually bought my D35 off Reverb from a reputable Music store out west. I asked a ton of questions . Any cracks? How high is the action? How is the relief ? How much saddle left? Is the pickguard curling? And on. They had a return policy , so I gambled and it paid off. When I received it , I took it to the guy who does all my guitar work . Hes an autherized Martin repair shop and an expert on all things Martin. He looked it over and thought it was a great example of a Martin . No issues with it except the saddle was off . It was so cheap to get that repaired , its hardly worth mentioning it. It has great tone and it plays well up and down the neck, fretwork is great and doesnt need a neck reset . The pickguard started to curl at some point , but was repaired before any cracks developed . Whoever did it did a great job.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Jan 4, 2020 12:21:40 GMT -5
BTW, budg - love your avatar.
I might have to change mine to my old '67 Impala (at least for awhile...hey, if we can have giraffes on here, can't we have impalas, too?).
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Post by budg on Jan 4, 2020 13:37:03 GMT -5
BTW, budg - love your avatar. I might have to change mine to my old '67 Impala (at least for awhile...hey, if we can have giraffes on here, can't we have impalas, too?). Love me some impala goodness. No pintos though! Gotta draw the line somewhere.
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Post by LTB on Jan 4, 2020 17:11:11 GMT -5
BTW, budg - love your avatar. I might have to change mine to my old '67 Impala (at least for awhile...hey, if we can have giraffes on here, can't we have impalas, too?). Love me some impala goodness. No pintos though! Gotta draw the line somewhere. What about Vega’s
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Post by budg on Jan 4, 2020 17:25:13 GMT -5
Love me some impala goodness. No pintos though! Gotta draw the line somewhere. What about Vega’s I saw a souped up Vega with a 454 once.
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Jan 4, 2020 19:17:35 GMT -5
If I found anything more than, say, 20 years old, I'd want to take it to my local luthier and have it checked out. I dont have enough experience with acoustics to evaluate an acoustic of any vintage. For that reason I should probably stick to local sales
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Post by budg on Jan 4, 2020 19:20:31 GMT -5
If I found anything more than, say, 20 years old, I'd want to take it to my local luthier and have it checked out. I dont have enough experience with acoustics to evaluate an acoustic of any vintage. For that reason I should probably stick to local sales That’s exactly what I did. Smart move .
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Tall-Fir
Wholenote
Liking both kinds of music—Country and Western!
Posts: 109
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Post by Tall-Fir on Jan 4, 2020 21:32:21 GMT -5
Hey budg, nice looking D-35!
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Post by budg on Jan 4, 2020 21:37:30 GMT -5
Hey budg, nice looking D-35! Thanks . I got a good one for sure.
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Post by LTB on Jan 20, 2020 0:33:53 GMT -5
What about Vega’s I saw a souped up Vega with a 454 once. Surprised it would hold up to a 454. Must have had some serious modifications!
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twangmeister
Wholenote
Posts: 349
Formerly Known As: Twangmeister
Age: 72 and fading fast.....
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Post by twangmeister on Feb 1, 2020 19:51:04 GMT -5
Gibson acoustics with the adjustable-height nut and mid-and later-'70s Gibson acoustics. Not bad, but somehow lacking resonance. I had trouble with some '70s Martins being less lively. Some 1970s Japanese acoustics.
Just my opinion, YMMV.
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Post by Ragtop on Feb 8, 2020 11:02:09 GMT -5
What does the fix for this mis-located bridge consist of? Just pop off the bridge and glue it back down in the proper spot? Does the bridge plate need to be replaced?
Now I'm curious....
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Feb 8, 2020 20:55:01 GMT -5
Gibson acoustics with the adjustable-height nut and mid-and later-'70s Gibson acoustics. Not bad, but somehow lacking resonance. I had trouble with some '70s Martins being less lively. Some 1970s Japanese acoustics. Just my opinion, YMMV. The 70s were bad years for Gibson. It was the Norlin era and they were cutting corners everywhere. I bought a J45 in the mid-70s and it was nothing like the original. Square shouldered and basically the Same as a J50, just sunburst instead of natural. I never liked it and th thought it was dark and dead sounding.
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Post by jefe46 on Feb 8, 2020 23:13:13 GMT -5
Norlin was cutting corners while thickening the tops and adding more, and bigger, top braces. All to reduce warranty repairs .
This is an opinion.. Martin Guitar died around 1986. It was a different company prior. I do not buy new Martins as a result of repeated disasters and substandard customer service. All this directed by CFM IV the guy that said he did not want to enter the family business and was a career student when he took over. Downhill since. And , no, he did not "design" the CEO 5 (Colossal Ego Opus) I have documented proof he did not.
I played a '67 Gibson J50 the other day. Had the tone killer bridge, but it sounded great. However a 1 9/16ths nut width.. Another cost cutting measure .. unplayable for more than 2 minutes.
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