Martin EB-18

1980 ? martin eb-18 , made in usa , 4string , 1 volume , 1 tone control and 1 switch , mahogany , walnut and maple with 1 single dimarzio pickup , natural wood finish , bridge is some cheap thing ( plan on putting the new badass bridge on , long scale neck , non original case

sound is very woody , very geezer butler , great bass tone or real nasty if you like also , huge sound thru my amp ( eden head & eaw cab 2-15's ) 2 pickup basses seem to fill it in alittle better , but it's got many great tones for a single pickup bass .....very nice

the action is low , the neck and body woods are excellent , top notch martin construction , the neck is like a big ol' baseball bat but very comfortable , the neck is slightly heavier than the body so it's not perfectly balanced but it doesn't seem to matter because it's such a great bass ! martin makes quality instruments !

this thing is solid ! could jack up my car with it and still play a gig ...the finish is still excellent for being a 1980 model

n/a , they probably don't remember making this model

if you can find one , get one ....if you like qauilty woods and woody bass tone , you'll have loads of fun with this one , not my best bass in my collection but definately not my worst .....very cool bass !

This instrument is all original and in unbelievable mint ?like brand new? condition with a Badass Bridge and the single cream-colored DiMarzio pickup. Basic and simple V & T controls with a phase switch. It also has strap locks still in the plastic bag in the case.

The 22 fret neck (34? scale) with a brass nut is a bit fatter than my Jazz bass but easily played. The tuners have the word "Martin & Co" stamped into the metal. Beautiful short natural wood grain body. The over all weight and balance is quite nice. Black plastic cavity and truss rod cover. I got it with the original HS case.

Frankly, I have more tonal range and EQ with the controls on my Fender with the double pick ups and active/passive and all that. But, I rate this bass as a 9 because I am old school and think simple is good and it works for me.

The controls on this bass are simple but, very sensitive and are very responsive. The pick up sound is ?clean? and noise free. I use an older Peavey amp with a nine band EQ ? so, I can make this bass sound however I need it to for whatever type of music I?m playing. I feel it has a real nice meaty bass sound and it will even growl if needed.

As I mentioned, this bass looks as it just came of the wall ?new? in the music showroom.

The pick up poles don't seem to align up right under the E and G strings - the A and D are fine. But, I don't notice any real difference between the volume output of any of the strings. The action and intonation is quite easy to adjust and it was very close to being ?right on? when I got it. The action the way I have it is not real low but good for me. I?m sure it could go down a bit if needed. The finish is (well like I said) like brand new with no scars, bruises or marks of any kind. Everything is tight, everything is simple, clean and yet beefy and solid. This is one fine high quality instrument, designed well, good woods and nice simple electronics.

Well, it?s been stored and rarely touched for maybe 25 years. It appears that it designed and made with really good materials and if taken care of ? who really knows.

Martin has a very good reputation and I expect no problems. I?m not able to see any references or info on their web site regarding these old solid body guitars. I just emailed them some questions, let?s see how they do.

Well, I bought this baby because it was ?MINT?. And, I?m sure I will enjoy playing it and it does have that different kind of cool look as well. Some of my fellow Martin guitar pickers are stunned and blown away. They have never seen such a thing and never knew it existed. I have no dislikes to speak of. It?s not my only bass ? but, it will get a fair amount of playing time for sure.

If anyone has any info or history they might want to share about this bass, please contact me and I will do the same.

Serial Number 2882, this EB-18 was most likely made the first year of production, which was 1979 I believe. Each year of production, they changed minor things about the design, the final thing being, they changed the entire Bridge configuration and they gave the instrument Precision Bass-style pickups.

This instrument has all the original hardware of the 1979 model: The Badass Bridge, the single cream-coloured DiMarzio Pickup: Actually the features are the same as the instrument described here:

http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Data4/Martin/EB-18-01.html

The "Batwing" Headstock has the stylised letters CFM on the front, and the standard Martin Logo on the back.

I am going to post from the review I refer to, so I can make comments:

"34-inch scale solid laminated Maple body with Walnut stripes, Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, old world Rosewood veneer headstock w/gold CFM logo. Has an embossed CFMartin & Co. stamp below the serial numbers at the neck-heel joint."

This is identical to my instrument, same exact features in this category. 22 Frets- Very fine, thin neck, VERY easy to play. The width of the neck is not too fat, it is just right for anyone with small to average sized hands and fingers.

The spacing of the strings down by the pickup and the height of the strings at that point from the Body, make this a VERY easy bass to finger pick, I finger pick this bass, I cannot finger pick my Rickenbacker 4003. You do not have to fight the strings, I have a medium guage set of GHS Bass Boomers on this, my wrists do not hurt after I play a set, by fingers do not hurt. This instrument is designed for elongated periods of playing, the placement of neck and body when the player is in a sitting position, are very comfortable.

"Single DiMarzio humbucker with white/cream cover & surround. Single volume and tone controls (chrome knurled knobs) and mini-phase switch."

These features, again, are identical to mine

"Chrome Badass bridge, brass nut, chrome Gotoh Tuners, black platic rear compartment and truss rod covers."

Ok, Mine does not have Goto tuners, so I do not know if I, or Ron Berry who I am quoting, has the original configuration: Actually the tuners on My EB/18 have the word "Martin & Co" stamped into the metal- Also, the tunes look like simple tuners, identical to what you would find on a P-Bass... So I think someone tried to "improve" Ron's EB/18 by adding Gotos.

Also, the covers for the electronics compartment, and also the truss rod cover, are made of Brass on my instrument. I have the Brass nut, like Ron,- I think it gives the instrument added sustain.

I give this instrument a 10 for features, not because it has "tons of features" but for the fact that the features it DOES have are superb.

There was no case availabvle for this instrument, I was given a Windsor Gig-Bag when I purchased it.

As I say under Features, this is a very easy bass to play: I can play a lot of different styles with this instrument. I have two primary amps I use: My Kustom KBA-100 Bass Amp, which is actually a fairly well made Chinese amp- 100 Watts RMS, 1 15-Inch Celestion Speaker.

The EB/18 through this amp, I can control the gain, so I can get it slightly overdriven, so it sounds like an overdriven P-Bass or Jazz-Bass, I usually use this setting, but it I want a nice smooth tone, I can set the gain back, and this bass rings true with nice even tone up and down the neck- And, this is nice as I do not use a compressor when I play live.

My other amp is an Ampeg VT-22, made in 1970, 34 years old, I just had it reworked: The VT-22s are acrtually made for Guitar OR bass, Mine has two 35 watt Celestoion Silver Series, so I dare not use the amp for any live shows: However, I have used this for some recording sessions, and the intrument sounds THE BEST through this amp.

I have played the EB/18 through an Ampeg SVT with SWR Speakers: I was NOT impressed, I do not kow if it was the head, or the speakers, it is my guess that an SVT head required the special Cabinet for the best bass tone. However, the 140 or so watt RMS VT-22 sounds fantastic with jkust the two 12" Speakers, so when a syitable cabinet is found, we will try it out in a louder setting.

I have recorded with this bass using the Kustom, the Ampeg, and also, my Pod Pro for Guitar, and it sounds very good with all- At my home, I play this straight through my moxer into my computer, and I get a nice clear even tone.

You cvan always rtell how good a bass sounds, by what it's waveform looks like when you bring up the part to be edited in Cakewalk: And what I see when I bring up parts I have played, are nicely balanced waveforms, upper and lower components equal amplitude.

There is absolutely NO noise- and with a tiny adjustment of my finger I can go from Round, Warm tone to Bright, biting tone. The controls on this bass are very sensitive, and are very responsive.

I have used this for several live shows, and I get odd looks because of the odd design of the bass, also I get comments on how good it sounds. This bass is a BASS bass, meaning, it really sounds like a BASS, it has only four strings, but the depth of tone is so incredible that it actually sounds deeper than basses with 5 strings.

The only thing I do NOT like about this bass, is the desiogn of the DiMarzio Pickup: When I first got the bass, the pickup distorted- I had to lower the top of the pickup to 1/8th of an inch below the rim of the outer pickup cover.

Who knows how this bass was set up at the factory... It was set up perfectly by it's former owner, who took great care of this intrument.

I mention that I had to REALLY lower the pickup before I could get control over the very loud DiMarzio pickup.

Some of the brass needs to be polished, but the wood, the finish, the logos, the bridge, the nut, all in perfect condition, and from the looks of it, ALL original hardware. A few blemishes in the wood, Fantastic shape. There is one slight crack in the wood underneath the headstock, looks like a luthier worked on it, but no major damage- Usually a major crack where the headstock joins the neck equals the instrument will nto stay in tune, but this instrument has been perfectly in tune for about 3 months, and it has been played during that time.

No controls are loose, nothing is flimsy, notjhing is substandard: This is one fine high quality machine, made from good wood and superior electronics and other mechanical parts.

This bass has survived me, for a few live shows. I am very hard on instruments, I have broken many guitars dueing the course of live shows, and these included les pauls and other such "durable" instruments. It is mroe durable than my 1979 Rickenbacher 4003- And that is one heck of a durable bass, having survived the 80's and 5 punk bands.

I have stated that the hardware is top notch, nothing flimsy at all in how this was made, and nothing has been replaced. A fantastic piece of workmanship.

The finish is as tough as nails, no new marks have been inflicted on this bass since I have bought it. I HAVE used this bass at gigs with no backup--- My Rickenbacker WILL break an A string, but so far, I have abused this bass six ways from Sunday, and it can take it. So, it is not only a beautiful piece of workmanship, it is one tough SOB- I have rtried and tried but I just cannot break strings on this baby... And I can't even get the strings to go out of tune.

I know that this all probably sounds too good to be true: But it is: Basses nowadays, even if you buy a brand name, are total POS's- You really have to buy something custom and hand made to get quality nowadays, and expect to pay about 5 to 10 grand for it.

THIS thing was made DUREABLE, and it was made DURABLE for the cost of about 500 dollars when they were brand new.

Martin is very good with Tech Support, having repaired my D-28 at least three times. I expect no problems if I need to contact them.

I have been playing since I was 11 back in 1971, and I have played all kinds of worthless instruments and I have also played some very fine instruments. So, I really don't need to ask the people at Guitar Center about any guitars, I have my eyes and my hands and especially my ears. I have checked out some very expensive Gibsons, to find out that they came, from the factory, COMPLEATLY out of true- And getting a guitar set up is basically a hundred-dollar job. You can tell how well an instrument is by how it feels in your hand- AND how good it sounds out of your amp.

I fell in love with the looks of this thing when I first eyed it, but I did not necessarily want to buy it... Until I pocked it up and played it, and felt it's strenght. And whn I heard it's tone, I just bought it straightaway.

If I lost this thing, I would try to find a replacement, yes, but I would not be able to: This bass has it's own personality which matches mine.

All of my quality intruments are 20 years old and over, this instrument is 25 years old, my Martin D-28 is almost 30, as is my Rickenbacker 4003.

I also have a flying V that was made in 1994 or abouts, it sounds good for what it is... I also have an epiphone SG that was made about 1991 or so- Itis a fairly good instrument, but the electronics are foul. I just purchased an Ovation Elite Special, and I really like the sound it gives me for recording acoustic, it does not do too well on it's own, but through an amp, ir through a PA or just plugged into my mixer, it has an excellent preamp system. It also stays in tune rather well...My Martin has neck damage, so I basically keep him in his case unless I want to use him for a recording.

Now, as a bass, compared to my Rickenbacker 4003, it is a compleatly different instrument, not to impy at all that the Rickenbacker is substandard in any way- but the Rickenbacker needs help, otherwise it does not sound like a bass but a four-stringed guitar... But I would not lose the Ricky for all the noodles in china, I have played a hundred different styles with it.

This Martin EB/18 has the same versatility, I feel I can strap it on my back, and hitchhike across county, and play out of whatever is thrown at me, whatever style is asked of me.

And, if I were ever to do such a thing, the EB/18 is what I would take with me.

1980 #3525 (I think, guitars packed) Made in Nazareth, PA. USA.

34" scale solid laminated Maple body with Walnut stripes, Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, old world Rosewood veneer headstock w/gold CFM logo. Has an embossed CFMartin & Co. stamp below the serial numbers at the neck-heel joint.

Single DiMarzio humbucker with white/cream cover & surround. Single volume and tone controls (chrome knurled knobs) and mini-phase switch.
Chrome Badass bridge, brass nut, chrome Gotoh Tuners, black platic rear compartment and truss rod covers.

Well crafted with quality components but I prefer a PJ configuration

Strung with Ken Smith Burners (roundwounds)and played through a Polytone. E&A strings are functionally dead from the 12th fret up, which I would guess might adust out? Some scratch in controls but I assume will resolve with a shot of cleaner. Pickup poles don't line up well with the D&G strings (and they can't by design)so there is dramatic variation in volume between the E&A and D&G strings. Couldn't get a decent sound out of it even with an MB1.

The neck is thin with medium action and plays fairly well. The pickup is located right where I'm naturally inclined to play and I kept driving my fingers into it unless I was conscious of hand position. The pickup height looks to be fixed, with adjustment through Allen screw slots in the pickup poles. I'm driving the strings into the poles as is (which of course creates an irritating clicking through the amp) and rules out elevating them in an attempt to compensate for the previously mentioned volume variation.

The guitar is not only heavy but headstock heavy to boot so it doesn't balance well.

The finish on this instrument is markedly yellowed but fine otherwise. This instrument was listed as original/excellent condition, which appears fairly accurate. It has not been played much, there are no signs of fret wear.

Martin used quality components on this instrument and it's over 20 years old so I'd say they hold up reasonably well. Everything works. One of the tuning keys is not tight to the turn but it adjusts well and stays in tune.

I've heard the finishes on the E series is thin and believe this to be so.

I contacted Sand Trach in Comsumer Service on two different occassions with a few questions about an obscure instrument that Martin is not proud of to begin with. Both times I was contacted within 2 days with answers to my satisfaction.

Try doing that with another manufacturer!

Used to have a used music shop and I've owned and played hundreds of brand name guitars. No two guitars are alike (within the same model that is) and you can get a great cheap guitar or an expensive piece of junk. Can't speak for other EB-18's but this unit is pretty useless as is and that's why it's packed away. I'll see if I can track down another pickup that will drop in and go from there. I do have an E-18 that is a far better rhythm guitar than this is a bass.

In all fairness, I seriously doubt Ron would have recommended this guitar had I asked but it wouldn't have mattered because these guitars don't show up that often and I wanted to see for myself. And it sold on the low range for an E series. I bought the guitar (site unseen) becuase I find the E series interesting but it would have been nice if it had been playable.

If there are fellow owners/knowledgeable sources, or just others interested in sharing information or learning about these guitars, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks fur Lukn