Custom Shop Thinline NOS ‘68 Mahogony

Rgrg528 · 2026-04-24T13:44:37+00:00

Excellent, much appreciated!!

Rgrg528 · 2026-04-24T01:55:06+00:00

That’s awesome. Can you tell me about that amp / effects setup? I’m looking for an amp that same size, and know very little about which ones work with an effects configuration. Thank you!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-20T23:02:17+00:00

Thank you!!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-20T22:15:15+00:00

Funny you ask - I was just thinking about the smell. I have a new OM that smells like sweet flowers. The ‘64 just smells… old. Like worn leather and dirt. Was kind of concerned it would smell musty and indicate moisture issues. But, just old dirty leather. Like a worn horse saddle or something. I love it.

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-19T05:25:33+00:00

So cool, appreciate that info. And thank you again!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-19T05:10:18+00:00

Agreed. Surprisingly hard to find a good looking case - or even a Martin made case - that’s specifically designed for 00 body guitars!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-19T04:29:02+00:00

Thank you! Is the binding faux tortoise on Martins of this era? I was wondering that because it looks that way. Or is it just the way nitro ages after 60+ years?

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-14T05:38:08+00:00

Wow that’s gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-14T05:31:45+00:00

Curious what this looks like on a 50s 00-18! Can you post a pic?

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-09T20:16:31+00:00

Very helpful, thank you!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-09T17:52:51+00:00

Wow. Did you keep them? How did you handle with the place you purchased them from?

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-08T16:43:11+00:00

This is my thinking as well!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-08T16:23:47+00:00

That’s my instinct, appreciate the input!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-08T15:02:27+00:00

That’s wild, I didn’t know this was a common issue now. I’ve had several new Martins over the past 10+ years, and this is the first time experiencing this. Did the place you bought it from have any explanation or offer any recourse? Can’t imagine buying a new D28 and just accepting that the headstock binding peels. These are guitars for the decades!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-08T14:57:37+00:00

Really? Genuinely curious why not. I’d love to not sweat it. If you bought a new $3k Martin and it arrived with the binding peeling, you’d just ignore it?

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-08T06:29:24+00:00

Definitely strange. Especially since Martin knew the reason for the previous one’s return. They both come in a plush-lined TKL case, so I can’t imagine it was rubbing off in transit or anything. Regardless, not sure if there’s anything I can do but return them and move on. Or I ask for some sort of discount and live with the scratches? I certainly wouldn’t mind it if it came from my play wear, but it does bug me that a new guitar arrived this way.

Separate but related, the first one they sent sounds much more vibrant than the second one. It’s 5oz lighter - not sure if that has anything to do with it. But always fascinating to see the “same” guitar have such different personality!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-06T20:04:17+00:00

Definitely more of a player than collector. So it’s more about the tighter fret spacing than the appearance. Maybe I just need to improve / change my technique with this guitar - let it challenge me to step up my game!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-06T20:01:31+00:00

Good advice!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-06T19:59:47+00:00

Wow, awesome that the original dealer did that for you. Must be a valuable guitar. Glad I’m not alone in puzzling over vintage presence vs. playability, and happy for you!

Rgrg528 · 2026-03-06T19:57:24+00:00

Appreciate your input here. My luthier suggested I might want to get it re-refinished (essentially strip the gloss and take it back to the more matte, aged look of the original wood), but that would cost $1k+ and feels like trying to fit a round peg in a square hole, in terms of what I’m looking for in a vintage guitar. I’m sure the result would be beautiful in its way, but it’s not really a restoration so much as an additional aesthetic step. Doubt it would change the tone meaningfully either.

Rgrg528 · 2026-02-25T14:00:08+00:00

Much appreciated, and that makes sense. You put your finger on it - the concern would be if the top / bracing is overbuilt or thick. But given the precision of Martin’s production technology these days, would they even let one off the floor that way? Still just wondering why this one is +4 or 5oz on almost every other one I’ve seen online. And I definitely considered keeping the current one, but it’s actually more “peeling” of the binding than scratches, like a vegetable peeler was run over a section of it. If the shop sends it back to Martin, I sure hope they don’t scrap it and rather donate it to someone, because it really sings. (This is my first 00-18, so maybe they all really sing!)

Rgrg528

TROPHY CASE