FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Martin D28 Guitar

Question:
I've been lurking here for a while, and would like to partake of the collective wisdom. I bought a 1998 Martin D-28 on Ebay for $1,250, delivered today. Not mentioned in the blurb on the auction was a three inch crack in the wood, not just the finish, on the face of the guitar. I've taken it to a shop locally, and they say they can repair it for around $350. My question is this: If I keep the guitar, and the seller kicks back the money for the repair, should I keep it? I know I could get a new one for around $1,600, or a pristine used one for what I paid. Will I be losing if I keep the guitar with about $1,250 in the purchase price and the repair, or should I return it and wait for a better one?

Answer:
There's two ways of looking at this situation, pure dollars and cents, and as a guitar lover. My local dealer, Wildwood Music, sells new D-28s for around $1400 and HD-28s for around $1600. (All Martins are sold 40% off of list). This is brand new WITH warranty and case. I feel a warranty is very important on an instrument this expensive, especially if you plan to keep it for a long time. A Martin warranty is NOT transferrable, it applies to the original owner only, and the warranty must be registered with Martin by you and by the dealer. So, pure dollars and cents this doesn't sound like a great deal. A 1998, while a fine guitar, we're not talking vintage value here. Now, if this D28 just sounds a great deal better than other specimens you've played, then it might be worth it, but keep in mind you would be buying a damaged guitar. Even after it has been repaired, no matter how well, it is still a used, no warranty, repaired guitar. Will any other cracks surface over time?? A warranty would be nice in the event that this would happen. Martins are extremely well built guitars, but it is 3 years old, and if it has not been kept in proper humidity conditions, this can affect the stability of the instrument down the road. And the resale value would be decreased, should you ever wish to sell it.