WTB Martin D18 neck

[d18d28]

My 1967 D18 had a broken headstock repaired long before I owned it, but the headstock is not at the correct angle, so I'm ready to replace the whole neck.  I'm looking for a neck that does not need to look pristine.  In fact the guitar looks like a beater, so I'm after functionality.  I hope not to pay an arm and a leg for it, and I'm hoping that there is a neck candidate out there somewhere. 

Any ideas?

[Sedated]

Have you contacted Martin to see what they would charge you to replace the neck?

[d18d28]

I haven't, thinking that a new neck would look kinda funny on such a funky old guitar, but it might be worth a call. 

[Sedated]

I haven't, thinking that a new neck would look kinda funny on such a funky old guitar, but it might be worth a call.

Well, to get a D-18 neck off an existing, used guitar, there's going to have to be a reason that neck was removed in the first place. That, in and of itself, would be concerning to me. Why would someone do that? Is there something wrong with the neck? Second, the neck would have to be removed properly. If, say, in the case of a destroyed guitar, this may not have been the case. Lastly, I can't think of anyone better to install a new neck on a Martin than, well, Martin.

I'm a skeptic by nature. If someone has a D-18 neck laying around, there's a reason they have it laying around, and it's probably not favorable. I would trust Martin over anyone to do the work but, then again, I'm one of those guys who has no problem taking his 16 year old truck to the local dealer and paying them to work on it when it needs repairs.

[azslacker]

If it's the '67 in your signature, it's approaching "antique" status. May be worth while having it restored/repaired to full playable and cosmetic condition. A friend of mine sent his dads '50's D-18 to Martin for massive repairs. It had been stored in his sisters So.Cal. garage for 20+ years. Had cracks and glue joints open up. Took months to fix, but is in great condition now. Besides Martin, a good Luthier school that teaches repairs, may be an option. Check out online, "Roberto-Venn" in Phoenix.
 

[d18d28]

This guitar had been abused long before I got it.  It has gouges and at least one repaired crack.  The original owner decorated the top with his name in - probably - some kind of sticker.  When I got it you could almost make out 'McCormick' as it was lighter than the rest of the top - and some of the finish must have been removed with the stickers.  As a result, the price was right when my wife gave it to me for Christmas back in the '90's.  I keep my other guitars in pretty good shape, so this one is my 'beater'.  For these reasons, I figure I need a neck for playability and tunability and 'changing strings' ability, and I think it will probably have a better tone if the headstock is angled correctly.  As far as adding value, I figure the guitar will probably outlive me, so I'd rather treat it like an old guitar rather than an antique guitar.  At this point I'm sort of hoping that there is a smashed D18 out there with an intact neck.  I just noticed that it's the guitar I'm playing in the photo above...

[azslacker]

You can buy a new carved neck, and preslotted fretboard from Luthier's Mercantile. I just looked at the neck selection. It would be much easier for someone to fit a new neck, with a generous amount of wood left on the dovetail, for final fitting. A salvaged neck to an old guitar has got to be extra work. I have bought preslotted fretboards from them for ukulele projects. Nice quality ebony, and perfect scale spacing.

[Frettingflyer]

Check out Pat Diburro's website and email him. He only works on Taylor, Martin and Collings and is the only Taylor Premier repair center(I believe) in the U.S. Outside of the factory. Very good work and may have parts from previous projects where someone wanted a new neck and the old one was salvageable. He also has the skill to install it properly.
http://www.diburro.com
Good luck.

[d18d28]

Thanks for the recommendations.  I'll start some online exploring.  I've been playing it like it is for 20 years now, and recently decided to bite the bullet and start searching, so there is no rush, but I will look into these options!  Many thanks.

[Sedated]

Thanks for the recommendations.  I'll start some online exploring.  I've been playing it like it is for 20 years now, and recently decided to bite the bullet and start searching, so there is no rush, but I will look into these options!  Many thanks.

Or, if you're in Canada, check out Mark Stutman at Folkway Music in Guelph, Ontario. He's every bit as talented as Pat DiBurro.