Guitar recommendation for beginner

[5thumbs1]

That’s a great idea! While I have very good insurance coverage, I believe I should have it listed on a separate schedule. Thanks for the tip…

[RobDickinson]

You almost certainly need it itemised at that value, but check for sure.

I dont blame you for also wanting a guitar to learn on, theres nothing saying the martin is the right guitar for you to start playing, or even eventually play much at all.

But it really does need looking after

[tony]

@Jamolay

First, guitars are not static and change over time and with playing. This may mean it needs a tune up which can mean anything from a simple truss rod adjustment, to fret work and/or nut and saddle work all the way to the dreaded neck reset. These are normal maintenance issues for guitars as they are used and age. We don’t currently know what your Martin needs.

Second, the guitar is likely not “pristine as he played it”. It needs work (that he would have had done) to keep playing it.

100% agree.

[Jamolay]

I would add that there is nothing about this guitar to suggest it couldn’t be perfect for a beginner. Once set up there is no reason it would be harder to play than any other guitar costing $500 you might buy. If set up well it should play great and the set up will determine how easily it plays.

Personally I think that if the luthier can fully set it up for a reasonable price, it will be the best guitar the OP could have right now.

[barker7]

High quality guitars are built light enough to sound great. The trade off of being built to sound great is that over time the string tension pulling the nut and bridge towards each other will cause the action to increase.

Your grandfather probably did repairs to keep it playable and so should you. The repair should be done by someone skilled in repair of vintage martins. And I wouldn’t assume a Martin warranty center would have this experience. A non period correct repair could reduce its value. So it’s worth asking at the shop.

You might consider getting advice at the unofficial Martin guitar forum (umgf).

https://umgf.com/the-vintage-corner-f3/

Congratulations! That’ll be a great sounding guitar. Ask a player at the guitar store to play it for you to get an idea of what you have.

[sticktothemuse]

It’s been said, and I am a believer that a person’s spirit lives in the guitar. May be worth investigating a proper set up for your Martin. Your grandfather would be very happy.