Sold A Martin Yesterday [View all]

Last edited Fri Apr 11, 2025, 05:13 PM - Edit history (1)

My brother-in-law, who died a year ago, owned a Martin Bob Shane model.
Built in 1958. When he died, I was the only one who knew anything about guitar.
While he was in assisted living the last 4+ years, I kept it at my house & bought him a cheaper we didn't have to worry about it.
When we brought him over to visit, I'd clean it up, maybe change the strings, and have it so he could play. I might play along on 12 string or piano.
Anyway, I have my own Martin that I think sounds better for how I play, and I didn't need a 15th guitar.
So, I presented it online (with pics) to Chicago Music Exchange, which is a big high end music store with tons of vintage stuff. The guitar was aesthetically rough. Dings in the sides, buckle rash on the back, light fraying on the soundhole so I knew it wouldn't fetch mint relic numbers.
I proposed $3,500; they countered with $2,800: I said make it 3k and we're good. They agreed. As long, of course, that it was functional, playable, and no serious damage. (That's probably boilerplate, because they could tell from the pictures there was no major damage.)
As I considered properly packaging and shipping cost to be less convenient than just taking it there myself, I did just that. Also, gave me an excuse to go to an instrument store I'd never been to.
So, I took it there, they cut me a check, and I spent about an hour looking around.
What a store! They've got a part wall with nothing but 60 Les Pauls, both new & vintage. The entire north wall of the huge main room is all Fender. There are other 10' by 10' pillars with other Gibsons & Fenders.
Around the corner are electric Gretsch & Rickenbacher (& others) 3 high for about 30 feet.
There is a HUGE acoustic guitar room, actually 2 because there's a second room around the corner.
Basses are in the "Bassment"
The storefront next door is their store too, and there's percussion, keyboards, high end saxes & brass.
Then, there's The Vault. I saw nothing in there under $10k, and saw at least 6 items well into 6 figures, including a 1959 Les Paul Custom is unbelievable condition with an asking price of $350,000!
Unbelievable store. I've never seen anything like it. Even Manny's in NYC didn't compare.