mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 28, 2017 11:00:22 GMT -5
You guys have reminded me. I need to pull out my old Martin from the 1800s. It's still in its original coffin case. Haven't even looked at it in years.
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mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 28, 2017 11:49:11 GMT -5
I've never gotten it appraised, no, and it's never been refinished. It's in good condition and is original. I really should get it appraised, I suppose. I'm considering giving it to my grandson who actually plays. I think he'd value it and treat it with respect.
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mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 28, 2017 12:03:11 GMT -5
The case alone could be worth at least $600 to $1500 to the right buyer. You know your grandson, but it might not be the best instrument for a player today. You certainly would not want to carry it around. I am sure he would do better with a more modern instrument. A really old one like yours would not have a truss rod, might have tuning issues, action issues, etc, etc. It would be a shame to beat it up or have it stolen. If he is not going to play it and keep it as a family heirloom, that is another story. He's got quite a few guitars that he plays. He's got an old Fender that he doesn't play. It's a collector's item which he values. I'm pretty sure he'd treat this one with the same respect. He's a guitar nerd.
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mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 28, 2017 12:06:09 GMT -5
Definitely get it appraised. Take some photos of back, sides, front, top, neck, headstock, etc, etc, and send them to George Gruhn guitars: guitars.com/ OR to: Mandolin Brothers mandoweb.com/ Actually send them to both of them and get two opinions. They are both HUGE vintage guitar dealers. Call them first and find out who to send the photos to and the email address to use for an evaluation. Confirm that there is no fee to look at it. you dont need an actual written appraisal, just for someone to take a look at it and give you a value. Thanks, wxyz! I'll do that!
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mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 28, 2017 12:10:56 GMT -5
Wow mmhmm. I remember you commenting on here before that you had an old Martin, but 1800's..... whew. I second that it is probably worth quite a bit of money. More than that, it may be worthy of being a museum piece. Only you (and your grandson) know what you want to do with it, but it is surely worth preserving. I have a Martin, c. 2010 (lol!) that I dearly love. I fell for her the first time I played her, more so than more expensive guitars in the room. I have written love songs for my wife, because I am trying to perfect my craft before I write one for that guitar. Martin still makes wonderful guitars, and perhaps your grandson would also enjoy finding a newer one to play, while preserving that old beauty? I know he has one Martin and I think he has two, but I don't know how old they are. They're not vintage but he's had them awhile and plays them often. The Fender is kept in a glass front cabinet. There's room for this dear, old Martin in there. I can understand your love for your Martin. To me, the quality of their tone is special. That's even true of the elderly instrument I've mentioned here. It sings.
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mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 28, 2017 12:19:34 GMT -5
Well now I am really curious. Come back and tell us what they say about it after you contact them. I'll do that!
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 28, 2017 17:57:52 GMT -5
If you or your Grandson want to try to research it yourself try these books to get started American Guitars by Wheeler and Martin Guitars A Technical Reference Revised and Updated Book 2 by Johnston Thanks a bundle, wxyz, for all your helpful suggestions! I'm definitely going to get the books as I think they'd be fun anyway! This is something grandson, the guitar nerd, and I can do together!
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mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 28, 2017 18:03:23 GMT -5
"In December, a little more than a year after Stan Jay died of lymphoma, his family put Mandolin Brothers on the market, hoping to find a buyer for the store, its inventory, or both before the end of 2015. In its prime, the showroom was filled with 900 instruments, mostly acoustic and mostly high-end, with a focus on guitars, banjos, and mandolins. These days, fewer than 100 remain, including a 1934 Martin 000-28 Herringbone guitar (Eric’s favorite) and a 1919 Gibson F4 mandolin (Alison’s favorite), along with other treasures, like a collection of molds from the estate of luthier John D’Angelico." Looks like Mandolin Brothers is no longer an option mmhmm. Too bad, they used to be a great vintage dealer, and Stan was a good guy. I will post some other options for you to get a value. I guess it shows that I am getting OLD when the guys that I used to know are all dropping away. That's a shame. It's sad to see those old, family businesses disappear. I'm familiar with Gruhn in Nashville but haven't been there in well over 40 years. Used to be a fun place to visit.
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Jake 48
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keeping the faith
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:06:13 GMT -5
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Post by Jake 48 on Mar 28, 2017 18:53:11 GMT -5
Roygrip, Long time ! How have you been?
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mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 28, 2017 21:27:55 GMT -5
MMHMM Using those books to try to identify the exact model of your Martin would be a great project for you and your grandson. The Wheeler book will is a great general reference on any American made guitar. I would be surprised if your grandson does not already have it. Once you identify the model of your guitar, it will be easy to google it and see what they sell for. Yep. That's my intent. Grandson is out of town this week but I'm hoping to get with him sometime next week to see if he has either, or both. If he doesn't, I'll get them. This is gonna be fun!
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mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
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Post by mmhmm on Apr 20, 2017 22:11:50 GMT -5
Grandson ordered the books but I don't know how far he's gotten. My son-in-law had a stroke and has some significant residual damage so I've been tied up with that and haven't had a chance to ask. The grandson travels often with his work and is away again at the moment. I think he's back sometime next week. Hoping he's had a chance to really look into the guitar by then. I know he's really interested; especially, now that the guitar is his.
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