Martin / 5-18 / 1959 / Guitar
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Not only the smallest but also one of the loudest(!) and best sounding guitars currently in stock. This is a rare Martin 5-18 from 1959. In other words a style 18 guitar, meaning Honduras mahogany neck and back and sides, Sitka spruce top and rosewood bridge and fretboard, in size 5 which is the smallest guitar built by Martin. The 5-18 is basically a terz guitar, meaning it’s tuned up a minor third compared to a normal guitar so it’s like playing with a capo on the third fret. You could play it in normal tuning too with some thicker strings, but it really comes alive when it’s tuned up.
This nearly 60 year old guitar has seen a fair share of action over the years and though it looks a bit worn it’s actually in remarkably good condition for it’s age and structurally sound. It has matured well over the years and has a lush and full sound you only get from years of playing and good old dry wood.
The guitar is all original save for a new bridge saddle and a re-fret. It appears it’s had a neck reset at some point too. The reset was well executed but the part of the fretboard that extends over the top was re-glued a bit sloppy. Luthier Thijs van der Harst has cleaned and re-glued this part of the fretboard with hide glue, so it now looks as it should. Thijs also made a new bridge saddle as the original saddle had split, cleaned and oiled the tuners, and leveled a few frets so it now plays smooth and without buzzing all the way up to the 18th fret.
Over the years the guitar had a few small repairs, but nothing serious. There are two patched repairs on the side of the guitar, and two repaired cracks and the back close to the edge. All is perfectly stable. Apart from this the guitar has plenty scratches and the finish is pretty worn, but considering the age of the guitar and the fact that it’s clearly been played allot it’s in great condition, and simply has a wonderful sound.
A rare vintage Martin which you won’t find to much around of here in the EU. Great collectors piece, but most of all a guitar that begs to be played. This would be a great workhorse for a singer-songwriter of folk musician.
Travels in a generic oversized softcase.
Dear Wood Guitar Boutique, Netherlands 
Welcome to Dear Wood Guitar Boutique!
We are driven by a passion for guitars, fine tone woods and the art of lutherie!
Our showroom is located on the top floor of a beautiful 18th century monumental building which you are welcome to visit by appointment, and we offer worldwide shipping too.
We specialise in luthier made, vintage, used and new acoustic and electric quality guitars and are official dealer for Maton, Supro and Stanford.
1. Payment
1.1 cash, bank transfers and cashcard payments are accepted. Creditcard payments can only be accepted through the webshop.
1.2 Any additional costs to make payment are the customers responsibility.
1.3 An item needs to be fully paid for prior to delivery or collection.
1.4 An item can be placed on hold for a 30 day period. For this a non-refundable downpayment of 10% of the sellingprice is required.
1.5 For some items VAT applies which will be specified on the invoice. For these items VAT will be deducted for sales outside the EU and for EU customers outside the Netherlands who have a valid VAT number in their own country. Used items fall under the marginal tax regulation for second hand products for which VAT does not apply. In these cases VAT will not be specified on the invoice nor can it be deducted. If a selling price includes VAT it will be clearly indicated on the website and on your invoice.
2. Returning
2.1 All purchases come with a 7 day approval period. When an item is not to your satisfaction you can return it for an item of the same value within this period. Refunds are not available.
2.2 When returning an item it must be in the same condition as when it was sold to you. When an item is damaged or shows traces of use it cannot be returned for it’s full value, and an estimate will be made of the remaining value. In such an event any additional repair costs and a 5% restocking fee will be charged. Dear Wood Guitar Boutique holds the right to decline a return at all time.
2.3 Discounted items cannot be returned.
3. Shipping
3.1 The customer is responsible for shipping costs. The customer is also responsible for the shipping costs when returning an item.
3.2 All items are shipped with insurance. In case you receive an item which is damaged during transport please notify us within 24 hours so the courier can be accurately informed.
4. Buying online
4.1 The EU guidelines apply to all online purchases, meaning that you can return an item within 14 days. For countries outside the EU a period of 48 hours applies for buyer to verify if the item arrived safely and fits the description. In case you wish to return an item please notify us within 24 hours upon receiving it.
4.2 When you return an item it must be in the same condition as before it was shipped to you. If the condition of an item differs from how it was shipped to you, be it damaged, malfunctioning, or showing traces of use, alterations and/or modifications etc. it cannot be returned. All products are thoroughly checked prior to shipment to avoid misunderstandings about the condition of the product.
4.3 When shipping an item for return please do so within 24 hours from the moment that we’ve agreed it can be returned. Please send a tracking code to confirm the date on which the item ships back to us. Without this we cannot except a return if the item reaches us outside the approval period. The approval period starts from the day you receive the product.
4.4 Discounted items cannot be returned.
4.5. When returning an item any additional costs such as customs, taxes, shippingcosts, exchange-rates etc. are customers responsibility.
5. Warranty
5.1 There is no warranty on used products.
5.2 For new products factory warranty applies.
These terms and conditions apply to all items sold by Dear Wood Guitar Boutique, registered with the Chamber of Commerce under reg.no. 20153592.
