Sold A Martin Yesterday

[ProfessorGAC]

Last edited Fri Apr 11, 2025, 05:13 PM - Edit history (1)

My brother-in-law, who died a year ago, owned a Martin Bob Shane model.
Built in 1958. When he died, I was the only one who knew anything about guitar.
While he was in assisted living the last 4+ years, I kept it at my house & bought him a cheaper we didn't have to worry about it.
When we brought him over to visit, I'd clean it up, maybe change the strings, and have it so he could play. I might play along on 12 string or piano.
Anyway, I have my own Martin that I think sounds better for how I play, and I didn't need a 15th guitar.
So, I presented it online (with pics) to Chicago Music Exchange, which is a big high end music store with tons of vintage stuff. The guitar was aesthetically rough. Dings in the sides, buckle rash on the back, light fraying on the soundhole so I knew it wouldn't fetch mint relic numbers.
I proposed $3,500; they countered with $2,800: I said make it 3k and we're good. They agreed. As long, of course, that it was functional, playable, and no serious damage. (That's probably boilerplate, because they could tell from the pictures there was no major damage.)
As I considered properly packaging and shipping cost to be less convenient than just taking it there myself, I did just that. Also, gave me an excuse to go to an instrument store I'd never been to.
So, I took it there, they cut me a check, and I spent about an hour looking around.
What a store! They've got a part wall with nothing but 60 Les Pauls, both new & vintage. The entire north wall of the huge main room is all Fender. There are other 10' by 10' pillars with other Gibsons & Fenders.
Around the corner are electric Gretsch & Rickenbacher (& others) 3 high for about 30 feet.
There is a HUGE acoustic guitar room, actually 2 because there's a second room around the corner.
Basses are in the "Bassment"
The storefront next door is their store too, and there's percussion, keyboards, high end saxes & brass.
Then, there's The Vault. I saw nothing in there under $10k, and saw at least 6 items well into 6 figures, including a 1959 Les Paul Custom is unbelievable condition with an asking price of $350,000!
Unbelievable store. I've never seen anything like it. Even Manny's in NYC didn't compare.

[UpInArms]

1. Play on, dear Professor

🎸🎸🎸

[FB47243]

2. D28

Isn’t a D28 Shane in even ok condition worth more and if in decent condition a bunch more??

[ProfessorGAC]

10. If In Good Condition...

...it looks like $7-8k retail. In this condition, probably $5k. But, the restorer will likely do a neck reset which is customary for a well-played guitar this old. Those folks work there, so it's a sunk cost, but they'll claim $600.
They'll ask $5,500, and a collector offer $5,000. They make at 42% margin but take all the risk.
In excellent condition, the guitar would fetch well into 5 figures retail.

[surfered]

3. Great story. You were a good brother-in-law.

My father had his own Big Band in the late 40s and early 50s. However, to make a living, he worked for the Post Office. If an entertainer (Bob Hope) or event (Holiday in Ice, Shrine Circus) came to town, he always got the call to be in the band.

When he realized in his old age that he would never play again, it was too emotional for him to sell his horns. So, I did it for him on EBay….Selmer Alto Sax, Bari Sax, and Clarinet. He gave a Bass Clarinet to a nephew in high school band and I gave a flute to a friend.

[Tansy_Gold]

4. Rec'd for Bob

and Nick and Dave and John.

[leftieNanner]

5. I gave my Dad's Martin to my new son in law.

I don't play any more and he was beyond delighted. I wanted it to make music again.

I sold my own Martin ukulele at Cripple Creek, long gone music store in Ashland Oregon. Sold it for $800 and gave the money to my dentist to fix a young woman's bad teeth. Win Win!

[videohead5]

6. My mom worked at Gibson

She retired after 11 years.

[highplainsdem]

7. It was good of you to make sure your brother-in-law could play his Martin guitar when visiting you and

your wife at your place, when it wouldn't have been safe at his ALF.

And I'm glad you were able to get a good price for it...and that you really enjoyed seeing Chicago Music Exchange. Sounds like an incredible store.

I'd mentioned it here a few years ago, but that was because of an impressive guitarist, a Chicago session musician, who worked there then. Nathaniel Murphy. See

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10355522

If I'd had any idea you'd be going there, I'd've mentioned that old thread to you in case he's still working there. And maybe you ran into him anyway.

Just did some quick googling and he was still.working for or with the store last year...and here's video of him from 7 months ago playing Led Zeppelin's No Quarter on a 1959 Les Paul they keep in the Vault. Is this the one you saw?

Btw, while I was trying to find my old message about him working at that store, I found this thread

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/10182100492

where you mentioned in reply 14 that you were thinking last November of going to that store, and that you might buy a resonator after you sold the Martin. Is that still the plan?

[ProfessorGAC]

11. It's Possible

Epiphone has a new model that's all nickel with a biscuit bridge.
I like the biscuit almost as much as tri-cone, and Sweetwater has them for a quarter of what I got.
I'm ambivalent though because I'm not sure I'd use it enough & I don't want to buy one just to buy one.
We'll see, I guess.

[highplainsdem]

14. This resonator?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DWMNIDLX--epiphone-dobro-hound-dog-m-14-nickel

It's beautiful.

Do they have one at a store near you that you can play long enough to get more of an idea whether you'd use it a lot?

[ProfessorGAC]

15. Yep, That's The One

I have to find a place that has one. I have to hear it before I buy.
I've played a few resonators (Fender, for example) that sounded like just an acoustic guitar. I want that Dobro/National sound. I want it to sound resonatory. I've already got guitars that sound like a guitar.

[Mister Ed]

8. One of my best buddies has a 1930's Martin that was bequeathed to him.

The guitar belonged to the the father of one of our friends, who had been a music teacher and band director at our school.

While he was still living, he told my buddy something to the effect of, "Pete, I have many other things of value to leave to my wife and children. I want you to have this guitar. I've watched you grow as a musician since you were just a boy. I know that you will value it and care for it and enjoy it."

Well, the guitar was in rough shape, and needed a lot of expensive restoration work. Pete spared no expense in restoring it to its former glory, and he eventually played it at the old man's funeral.

And what's next, now that Pete and I are old and in the late stages of our lives? Well, Pete's watching for that young, promising boy or girl who might love and appreciate that fine old guitar...

[rubbersole]

9. Nice, Professor GAC. Nice.

[Duncanpup]

12. $350K Wow

[highplainsdem]

13. I ran across a 1959 Les Paul with an asking price of half a million:

https://emeraldcityguitars.com/products/1959-gibson-les-paul-standard

[Duncanpup]

16. I'm happy with my Japan les Paul Tokai

59 reissue

[Number9Dream]

17. I live 5 minutes from Martin Guitar in Nazareth, PA

I've been through the museum and factory tours several times... interesting for guitar folks.

I still noodle around on my '74 Guild D-25M. Could never afford a Martin.