1976 Martin D18 truss rod?

[ed2000]

I was under the impression the 1976 D18 does not have a truss rod adjustment...right or ?

[Gilliangirl]

Someone recently donated a 1973 D18 to the hospital where I work. No truss rod!

[jimmy c g]

martin started using adjustable truss rods in the mid 80s I believe.Some new reissues are actually non-rodded which may be a little crazy. Jim

[Grenvilleter]

I think the truss rod is there...just not adjustable.
D-18 models made before 1985 do not have an adjustable truss rod.
Instruments made between 1969 and 1985 had a square tube type truss rod that were prone to allowing too much neck relief. Pre-1969 D-18's had the "T" bar truss rod that provided better structural support. When a neck reset is done on a '70's martin, there are graphite bars that can be placed inside the stock square tube truss rod to increase it's "stiffness".

[jimmy c g]

gilliangirl-keep that job and play that D18.I personally love the 70s Martins,when they are set up right!!!!! I want a martin where I work too !!!! ^^^^stay tuned^^^^^ Jim

[Gilliangirl]

gilliangirl-keep that job and play that D18.I personally love the 70s Martins,when they are set up right!!!!! I want a martin where I work too !!!! ^^^^stay tuned^^^^^ Jim
Jim, it was not a happy story, I'm afraid. You should have seen the poor old thing. It looked like it had never been humidified. The neck was warped badly, the top may have been refinished, not sure. Whoever owned that poor little guitar should have been stretched on the rack, IMO LOL. They are likely going to auction it off on eBay as the repairs would be too costly for us.

[Grenvilleter]

That's a real shame and should be illegal. At least you know what you have and fortunately, you have the intelligence to know that a well made guitar is repairable and worth doing.
Not like the stories you hear where someone throws it in the fire or dumpster when something goes wrong or it gets damaged.
Those kind of stories tears my heart out.
Good Luck

[jimmy c g]

hey Gillian,while waiting for a decision on the Ebay route,you could humidify the guitar,see if it helps,then ask a TRUSTED repair guy about straightening the neck.Sometimes these ops arnt as expensive as you may think,then you sell it for much more,or even post it here!!! saving a Martin is a worthy operation....and a learning experience as well^^^^^stay tuned^^^^^ Jim

[Gilliangirl]

hey Gillian,while waiting for a decision on the Ebay route,you could humidify the guitar,see if it helps,then ask a TRUSTED repair guy about straightening the neck.Sometimes these ops arnt as expensive as you may think,then you sell it for much more,or even post it here!!! saving a Martin is a worthy operation....and a learning experience as well^^^^^stay tuned^^^^^ Jim

It needs more than humidifcation. The entire bridge was split in two along the line of the bridge pins. I was afraid to tune it up for fear the pins would pop right out. I suggested to our recreation therapist that she take it to Jim Mozell, which she did, and he said it's gonna need a lot of work. Poor old guitar. I can definitely post on this forum before it goes to the bay, but they're hoping to get as much money as they can for it because the money goes back into the donations fund for the clients. If someone would be willing to spend some time on it, they'd have themselves a lovely little guitar. I think the tuning machines were original. But it's gonna need a fair amount of work.

[jimmy c g]

posting on this forum would be a great idea,Im not sure I could snag it (maybe) but theres lots of others who may be interested.Ive had 3 70s D18s !71 D28 and a D12-35 and I like em!!! good luck to your employer!!!! Jim