FS: Martin acoustic: 000c-16gte | As New Condition

[vanderlae]

I am reluctantly parting ways with my beautiful Martin acoustic. The decision to sell this couldn't be harder and I know that I'll regret it before too long. I'm hoping to find someone to make the transaction as painless as possible.

The tone and projection from this guitar is stunning, and being only 18 months old it will only get better with age. I had James Mumford set up it after I got it and before it leaves I will gift another setup to the buyer. Heck I'll even throw in another couple of packs of Martin strings. It plays amazingly well, the fingerboard seemingly as hard as steel (Black Micarta). Back and sides are solid Mahogany and the top is Solid Spruce. Headplate is Solid East Indian Rosewood with Raised Gold Foil lettering.

I have two nice acoustics; this being the nicest, and the decision to sell it is because I need to put more money into my studio and the other guitar was a 21st gift a decade ago so I couldn't bring myself to sell it. This has less attachment so far and actually this was a 30th present 18 months ago (generous friends!).

I have recorded with the Martin with brilliant results. I can send anyone interested in this the song that features the guitar, or of course if you are in Melbourne you are most welcome to drop by and play it. This has an inbuilt Fishman Prefix Pro with Co-Polymer Pickup. A tiny condenser that is manoeuvrable inside of the body and you can blend the output between the pickup and mic. The mic is a fantastic addition for live, if that's your thing too. And not half bad either for DI'ing when switched to the mic. Very directional, you can flex the mic in any direction depending on the desired sound, and of course no bleed from outside. Comes with a genuine Martin hard case also, plush green lining of course ;)

The pickguard still has the plastic film covering it by the way, I never took it off - almost like I knew this day would come!

These are retailing new for around $3,750.00, I am selling it for $2750.

Anyway - the photos do the talking really and here they are (actual photos taken today):

Martin 000c-16gte

[vanderlae]

Damn, it is so frustrating trying to sell quality instruments! Especially when it kills you to have to do it. I was rather hoping for someone to save the day, and certainly there is NO way I am putting this up on ebay.

[NYMo]

Hi there,

See if you can keep it !

I just took a bath on 2 products that I sold, because I HAD to buy the other thing.

Now, just seems like a bad time to sell (iunless its an absolute bargain)

Cheers
N
Y
M
O

[vanderlae]

I hear what you're saying, but no I need to sell it. It's not urgent just yet although I cannot hold onto this one unfortunately. Too many guitars Vs too many equipment/capital bills!

[wez]

dude, take it down to the acoustic centre. you'll take a hit on commission obviously but that's where people go for high-end acoustic guitars. sadly i had to sell my carson-crickmore, took it there and it was gone in a couple of days.

[toddd]

i'd definitely agree with wez there.

i dont think many folk are going to buy a guitar of that ilk without having it in their hands first.

you'll lose a bit on commission, but i think you would find someone who would really appreciate the guitar.

[vanderlae]

Yes, I think that's the way I'm heading. I'm actually thinking Guitar Gallery on Johnston St Fitzroy, they have some stunning instruments there also and they folk are bloody friendly and down to earth. Not as big as the acoustic centre, but it's one hell of a store.

What does acoustic centre charge in commission?

[Linear]

I'm actually in the market for a decent acoustic guitar with pickup. would love a martin.

And although it seems like I'm a real stickler for SH prices, I'm really not. That said, a quick google search shows I can buy one new for the same money ($2,750)

http://www.megamusiconline.com.au/store ... ts_id=1863

just putting it out there ;-0

Chris

[vanderlae]

I'm actually in the market for a decent acoustic guitar with pickup. would love a martin.

And although it seems like I'm a real stickler for SH prices, I'm really not. That said, a quick google search shows I can buy one new for the same money ($2,750)

http://www.megamusiconline.com.au/store ... ts_id=1863

just putting it out there ;-0

Chris

Chris, cheers for that. Wow, prices have come down a little. Well, in that case I'd be prepared to go down in price a bit - within reason of course. If you are after something like this would you like to PM me with what you had in mind to spend and we'll see if we're on the same page? And of course, anyone is free to have a play first. I guess one thing on my side with this guitar as it has had one hell of a PROPER setup by James Mumford - the guitar is a much nicer beast to play than when I first got it. It's funny how for such an expensive guitar they still skimp on presenting the guitar to a 'players' finished form. Anyway...get in touch if you like.

[HA_DA_JA]

Why would a over $3k Martin guitar need a hell of a proper setup by someone?
All my high end guitars have never needed any setup they have been fantastic from the start.

[Gian]

I had to ask myself the same question when I bought a $2.5k archtop (retail price), but it seriously needed setting up.

It's intonation and action was terrible, the neck needed work - the luthier suggested taking the frets off and planing the fretboard, I told him we could do it next time, since I just got the thing.

Anyway, after the set up, it was a completely different instrument. It was a joy to play - it was like night and day. So glad I had it set up properly.

I have a Taylor acoustic (bought new), and that thing came out of the factory in a very nice state - I have not had any work done on it since I have had it - 9 years. I have moved to a drier climate and made a miniscule adjustment on the next truss rod a few months back, but that's it.

[wez]

i've had this conversation with a well-known boutique retailer in melbourne, and the answer - according to him - is quite simple... most guitar builder's haven't got a clue about set-ups. a hell of a lot of them don't even really play.

of course there's no reason why a big company like martin couldn't employ a specialist whose sole job is to set up instruments before they get shipped out. however.... it doesn't really make sense to do this, for the simple reason that your 'serious' (ok, let's say $3k-plus) guitar buyer is going to have very specific needs vis á vis setup, and will want that done by his own guy, probably before he gets it home.

so there's not much point doing anything other than a basic check at the factory. not to mention that the guitar is probably still settling in, and has to endure transport etc.

[vanderlae]

Well Dale I guess it depends what you're happy with and obviously the finer finishes would differ from guitar to guitar. Don't forget that usually when a guitar first arrives to a store from the factory the tech will generally set it up instore before it goes on the floor. So if you've never had to set yours up perhaps your store setups were decent. My Martin didn't have that instore setup, I got James Mumford to do it instead. Even my Gibson 335 block US custom that cost the earth still needed a proper setup, it played like a cheap epiphone copy from the box and that's without exaggeration.

[HA_DA_JA]

I must both my Taylor 815 and 814's where fine stock standard.
My Gibson Hummingbird was great.
I was going to buy another Gibson J40 and it was sweet along with the other Gibsons J45, J185 and J165 I tested in another Brisbane Music shop.
Even my Maton Tommy Emmanuel was fine.
My cheapo Maton M320 was fine
My Cole Clarks Fat Lady 1 and 2 and custom Smithe model were fine.
My trusty old Tacoma DR20 was fine.
I like to use 12-54 with a med low action and they all seem to come like that.
I make sure the intonation is right from the start or the guitar is not worth buying.
I was nealry going to buy another Taylor 414 and all the other taylor I tested from Brisbanes Allans music shop were all great.
Maybe like one poster already mentioned. People from the makers guitar factory finish a better guitar when they know how to play one.

[NYMo]

Hi there,

As some of you may know I managed a well known music shop for nearly 20 years.
All the guitars we got in were never set up out of the box...even the expensive ones !

I employed a guy (usually a luthier) to come in every Friday for 4 hours and go through the expensive guitars first
setting them up then going onto the cheaper ones.

If a guy wanted to buy a good guitar (in those days $2k-$3k) we had way more chance of selling them if they felt great from the get go. If the client wanted a different guage or action..we offered that as well within the first 2 weeks.

Cheers

N
Y
M
O

[vanderlae]

Hi there,

As some of you may know I managed a well known music shop for nearly 20 years.
All the guitars we got in were never set up out of the box...even the expensive ones !

Bingo! Thank you

[prequalizer]

Some guitar stores don't setup their expensive ones and leave them on display as is, straight from the manufacturer but on the time of interest of sale, they would pitch that they would include a setup if bought.