NGD: 1953 D-18

[mwalk]

I've actually owned it for a while but it's been in the shop getting a new saddle. I took a risk and ordered this from a Reverb seller. The price was great, though, and they offered a 7-day return period. Anyway, it turned out to be a keeper.

It's all original with no cracks, which I was obviously happy about. A decent amount of play wear but nothing out of the ordinary. The only thing that was questionable was, at some point someone shaved down the saddle and bridge a little bit to lower the action. The action was extremely low (lower than my Tele) but I could still tell the tone was there. I had a local luthier cut/install a new saddle instead of replacing the bridge. Now it plays and sounds great.

It is not one of the mystery topped D-18s from 1953. This one is definitely sitka. But it sounds really good. The low end is deep - maybe not quite as deep and complex as some of the early-mid 40s guitars I played, but surprisingly good. The mids are meaty and the highs shimmer. Pretty balanced. I'm looking forward to recording with it.

[Regular sized] Pics below! �� (Thanks Methos!)

[BrunoBlack]

Very nice guitar, congratulations.

[SuperB23]

Great looking D-18!!! Congrats!! I'd like to get my hands on some early 50s D-18s and D-28s, I haven't played any. I played 000-18 from 54 that was quite great once.

[ChrisE]

I have a friend who has one from that same time period and it's almost mint and really sounds great. That's one nice guitar you have there, sir.

[Goat Mick]

Congratulations!!! Gotta love those old guitars, there's nothing like them.

[Borderdon]

Beautiful D-18 !
One always wonders what their story is --

[mwalk]

Originally Posted by Borderdon

Beautiful D-18 !
One always wonders what their story is --

Me too! Unfortunately largely unknown on this one. While I was looking I played a two-owner '58. Current owner knew all about it's history. I really wanted to love it but the tone just wasn't there.

[Jim Owen]

Hi Mwalk,

That's a gem. My favorite guitar I even owned was a 55 000 18 with a very similar looking top!

Definitely a keeper; play it in good health.

[AndrewG]

Any chance you could re-size the pictures to something smaller?

[mwalk]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Any chance you could re-size the pictures to something smaller?

I'm not really sure how to do that since I'm just copying and pasting links to the original photos

[Treenewt]

That looks to be a keeper! Congrats!

[Methos1979]

Pictures are HUGE! Let me see what I can do for you...

[Methos1979]

Let's see if this is better...

Ah, there we go - much better! Sweet guitar!!

[guitar george]

Originally Posted by mwalk

I'm not really sure how to do that since I'm just copying and pasting links to the original photos

I put my pictures and pictures from the internet into "Dropbox" which makes them available for public access. I then upload them to the AGF by clicking the attachment icon when starting a thread or posting a reply. The pictures display "normal" size. Don't know much about it because my son set it up, but, it is easy to use and he says it's free. (I know I don't pay anything)

[mwalk]

Thanks a lot!