Sigma Martn SDM-18 c1983, Acoustic Guitar and case, Dreadnought.

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Auction start price reduced and the hard case shown is included in the sale. I will also consider sensible offers - but I seem to be unable to change to auction format, so, please just email me. CF Martin, a long established US name from the late 1800's outsourced hand building of their guitars to Japan in 1970 under the brand name Sigma, in order to remain competitive. History says that in 1984 this outsourcing moved to Korea and finally in 1993, to Taiwan. All Sigma / C.F. Martin guitars, wherever built, were reputedly shipped to Nasereth, Pensylvania for final assembly, setting up etc. by C.F. Martin & Co. Thus the integerety of all CF Martin guitars (to 2007) is preserved. SIgma Model Number SDM-18 by C.F. Martin & Co. manufactured Korea. Korean model produced from somewhere between 1980 - 1984, with perhaps the wood shipped from Japan for assembly in Korea. There is no Sigma Logo below the brand lettering and the guitar is back brace stamped C.F. Martin, Korea. There is no paper label, which was introduced instead of back brace stamping when full production started in Korea. The serial number on the guitar is 89097449 This guitar is the high quality clone of the original american Martin D-18 S = Solid, aged / antiqued spruce top and generally with with solid wood sides and back D = Dreadnought design M = Mahogany (Martin state all Sigma guitars were made with laminate sides & may or may not have a solid back. They make this statement because they simply don't have an exact record except for the D-28's. "S" usually refers to all woods being solid however. N.B. I put the take-off socket in the back lower bout of the guitar and confirm the side I drilled through was solid and not laminate!)You will see from the pictures that the guitar is in exceptional undamaged condition. There is wear evedent on the lower neck, but the lacquer remains undamaged - just worn light.Rosewood on Mahogany Fretboard and Neck unit, with truss adjusted from within the sound hole. The nut is new 43mm "Martin" made and of Buffalo bone. The bridge is rosewood with an (original and correct) composite saddle. The intonation is perfect. The new white bridge pins shown are bone with MoP inlay and also from "Martin" (and replace plastic ones which I have retained along with the original nut).Scale length is 25 5/8 inches with 20 frets (14 clear of the body).The sound is to be believed, distinctively mellow and sharp, all Martin. With this action it almost plays itself. Dreadnought size gives plenty of body tone.Frets are near perfect condition (Nickle Silver) and the action is an amazing 1.5mm at 12th (top E) and 1.9mm at 12th bottom E. The set up is as new. No warps or bends.There is a small piezo pick-up clipped to the bridge cross piece out of sight inside the guitar body and wired out to the lower bout socket shown and which is useful to add ambiance sometimes.Viewing and trying out is welcome and encouraged whilst the auction is on MK169NZ (Newport Pagnell) Please ring for further info . There is no "Buy it Now" price. My reason for selling is simply that I have now gone for a one-off, hand built guitar, made for me. But, I still don't play any better!A good quality fitted hard case as shown is included. The guitar will be securely packed within a hard case, which will then be packed inside a strong cardboard box (from my local bike dealer) for secure and safe transport. Next Day Courier £25 to main town post codes. Please check with me for highlands, islands and off road out of the way places like IoW & NI, it may cost more. UK sale only.Thanks for looking read more

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