I need a new Martin...

[Chris Lago]

I'm with Mickael on this... The guy is asking for a Martin guitar, not a Guild! You can't convince me either, I wouldn't get any other guitar than a Martin... How about a Gibson? NO!

About the Martin DSR, my friend used to have one, so I would play it all the time, and it's one of the best if not the best acoustic guitar I have tried. I've played with Gibsons, Yamaha's, Fender, Guild, Takamine... None of them are close.

[mdjice]

Originally Posted by chrislago

I'm with Mickael on this... The guy is asking for a Martin guitar, not a Guild! You can't convince me either, I wouldn't get any other guitar than a Martin... How about a Gibson? NO!

About the Martin DSR, my friend used to have one, so I would play it all the time, and it's one of the best if not the best acoustic guitar I have tried. I've played with Gibsons, Yamaha's, Fender, Guild, Takamine... None of them are close.

Yeah I went to the store to buy a D-28, I've been wanting one and I had my mind set AND the money in hand but that DSR was just too sweet, They did something seriously right with this guitar. Even after hearing it and LOVING it I still was trying ton convince myself to get the D-28 since I really wanted one and it's a reference so people would appreciate it in the studio but I had to face reality and over 8 people around that day including the sales person and I went with the DSR and I enjoy it more everyday plus inside it doesn't show a Ref number or a serie type but it says "MARTIN CUSTOM" u gotta love that

[Chas3]

I shopped extensively for a new acoustic last year. The experience confirmed for me that every guitar is different, even instances of the same model by the same builder. I would never consider buying an acoustic guitar unplayed.

Although I was somewhat emotionally biased toward Gibson, I would not have considered low-end Gibsons just for the name. I would sooner have bought a Martin, Larrivee or Blueridge. In fact I started out with a much lower budget, looking for a Blueridge. Along the way I decided to spend the money for what I wanted. I ended up with a Gibson Southern Jumbo True Vintage. I didn't really go for the "true vintage" factors like the "only a Gibson" banner on the head and the ridiculous "vintage" orange sticker in the box. This one just had better wood and sounded better (much better) than any of the other J45's I played.

I don't believe that there is an inherent "sound" to a line of guitars that makes a greater difference than the difference between a well-built instrument and a cheap compromise. I would never have considered the new $1000.00 Gibsons they're making to get into the low-end game.

I'll add that I recently played a Larrivee OM5. It was beautiful. Great for finger-picking and strumming. If I could have justified buying another instrument at the time, I would have purchased this one.

[Chas3]

"my F)@*# problem is that everytime someone ask an advice about "A" or "B" someone here will always say "C" "D" or "E" only because that's what THEY bought. it's just getting old that's all!!"

Why get so hot about it? This is an open discussion forum. Even if you start a thread it doesn't mean you own it; certainly not if you didn't even start it.

Seems that there's always somebody determined to add some unpleasantness to a topic. It's why I usually keep my comments to myself.

[The dman]

IMO your limiting your options by only considering Martin. Nothing against Martin but I'd imagine in that price range you choices are limited with Martins.

[lane thaw]

Originally Posted by steelyfan

Most people i know would tell you that Martins are the most overated guitar in history

There's a reason for the reputation and it's like a U47, once you play a Martin with "that" sound, no other guitars come close. Mine is a 1973 Martin D18 my mom purchase for me new at Manny's New York. Well after the years it needed a new bridge, neck reset, pretty much the works - quoted out at $1,500 - but it sang. I went to Dream guitars to check out all his boutique guitars as I was on the fence of just selling the Martin and dropping serious coin on something new. I tried many and some were indeed very nice - Somogyi was impressive. But none had the woody depth of my Martin. So it was shipped to Luthier Bill Tipton and he did an outstanding job. Anywho, my 2 cents, don't buy anything off ebay, find an older Martin with that "Sound" and let a Luthier get it in shape for you if needed.

[GeorgeJ]

I picked up a Martin Road series DM. Nice middle of the road no frills model with a Martin boomy sound. Can't comment on other brands.

Martin DM User Reviews - zZounds.com

[Studio Dweller]

Originally Posted by steelyfan

Most people i know would tell you that Martins are the most overated guitar in history.(i have four friends that own them and never play them). I've never played one i liked, and everytime I go to a friends house to play around and jam they throw the Martin in my hand
and end up playing a $300 yamaha, Fender ,ibanez themselves. (and trust me, it's not because I'm the best player in the room.....this is for sure.)
They've always seem so thin and bright to me, I'm not an expert and this is my own personal experience, but the nicer yamaha's and fenders seem thicker and have more body to the sound.
I think you should walk in an acoustic room and pick something up without looking at the brand or price and play as many as possible, then pick your 5 favories and look at the brand and price then, after you've played them, I'll bet you'll be very surprised.
Price tags and name brands will make your brain react differently to THE TRUTH!!
steelyfanthumbsup

I have an HD-28VR and the descriptors I would use are quite the opposite of "thin and bright". Big and throaty are more suitable for this guitar. I have played a couple of lower end Martins that were thin and bright, but I would never consider that to be the case for Martins in general.

Your choice of strings also plays a part in the sound. When I got the HD-28VR, I tried a bunch and found John Pearse strings sounded very noticeably better on this guitar. Make sure you try a few different ones when you get your guitar.

[tropicalhotdog]

Originally Posted by Randall

I also will have a salesman or somebody else play it and just kick back, close my eyes and listen to the instrument.. take your time.. it's your money

Hey, that's a really good idea.

When it comes time to testing a guitar in a store full of people, my mind just shuts down and I end up staring at my fingers, thinking "um, ok, now they do what?"

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by tropicalhotdog

When it comes time to testing a guitar in a store full of people, my mind just shuts down and I end up staring at my fingers, thinking "um, ok, now they do what?"

Exactly, I consider myself to be a pretty good player but I hardly ever felt comfortable trying out instruments in a store.

The idea of having somebody else play the instrument while listening is great because you never hear what an acoustic guitar truly sounds like when playing it....

Though naturally the sound will be very different with a different player, the tonal character of the guitar will still shine through.

[Ciaccona]

One thing I can't get tired enough of saying is that each instrument will sound different than another.

people go to a store, try a guitar, and the shop assistant goes to the storage and brings the same model brand new in a package. same model, not same instrument.

I remember being at a store trying out some accoustics with a friend.
he played one and fell in love with it. it did have some scratches etc. but it would look like that anyways after some time of playing. so he tells the asissants that he wants to have that guitar.
the guy said "ok, I'll go back and get a one"
my friend answered: "no no, I want this one!"
the shop assistant was completely baffled, he said he couldn't remember that happening to him before.

some weeks ago I played some Telecasters in a shop. one of them did sound absolutely beautiful while the one next to it did sound horrible compared. many people would have been surprised seeing that the lovely one was about half the price of the other one.

[tropicalhotdog]

Like falling in love with a girl and then lifting the veil on wedding day and finding her ugly sister.

Sorry, is that sexist?

[BeatleFred]

Yes, I agree the M series (0000 size) is great. My brother has an M-36, and I traded my Collings DS-2H for a Gruhn 0000-18GE, the adirondack spruce top gives it an especially nice tone. I tried an M38 at Mandolin Brothers and it sounded excellent, if someone by now has bought it, they got an awesome guitar.

I didnt mention the M/0000 models to the person who asked for a recommendation because these models would be out of his price range, and the M 36 and 38 dont have the 1 3/4" neck size (unless custom ordered). Thats why also I didnt suggest a 000-1, I think that would be a good choice as well, but again, no 1 3/4" on it.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by Randall

He also stated he has a 1k budget.. he's not going to find a decent Martin in that price range.. not new.. period.
Martin outsources their lower end guitar builds to japan and god knows where else... nothing special.. I play them every time I walk in a music store.

We are simply making him aware some options and alternatives.. WTF is your problem?

Bingo! Once you realize that there are far better guitar in this price range than what Martin has to offer, you quickly realize that all subsequent suggestions in this thread are actually well-intended and wise bits of "advice."

Like no other instrument or piece of gear, you HAVE to play as many guitars in your budget as possible. 5 D-28s won't sound the same, 5 Taylor 810s won't, 5 Blueridge, 5 Larrivees, etc.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by lane thaw

Somogyi was impressive.

At >$20K they should be. Some of the most beautiful guitars on the planet btw. They're pieces of art. But modern sounding. Not trying to go after that older Martin tone. They also tend to be fingerstyle guitars and wouldn't compare with a Martin D of any kind.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by Chas3

"my F)@*# problem is that everytime someone ask an advice about "A" or "B" someone here will always say "C" "D" or "E" only because that's what THEY bought. it's just getting old that's all!!"

Why get so hot about it? This is an open discussion forum. Even if you start a thread it doesn't mean you own it; certainly not if you didn't even start it.

Seems that there's always somebody determined to add some unpleasantness to a topic. It's why I usually keep my comments to myself.

+1! And the opposite is even more accurate -- the majority of guitar owners own Martins and would defend their choice on a forum, much more so than anyone suggesting a different brand. I'd only take advice from someone who is not married to one specific brand.

[GYang]

Originally Posted by djbrough

Have you thought about Larrivee or Guild?

Look elswhere, modern Martins sometimes disappoint from many points.
I have 4000+ HD Martin from 2005.
I had problems with neck coating, so it was re-coated.
Neck was little bit uneven and practically curved after some time to extent to become unplayable.
Top cracked and not because of air drieness, as Martin serviceman explained by phone to me, but due to low quality of workmanship. I decided to give guitar to my loval luthier and he dissasembled it.
He showed me very clearly and photographed many elelments that simply made guitar's top and bridge so unstable. This material is prepared to be sent to Martin & Co. with request for full refund.
I had so many headache with guitar that sounded pretty OK first couple of months and than sound 'degraded', but maiunly due to aforesaid problems.
Funniest thing is that some lesser guitars played simulatenously didn't show and similar behaviour.
I don't trust Martin anymore and think that their guitars are heavilly overpriced.
I heard about similar problem from other owners, too.
I hope to see my money back and buy another small luthier's guitar.

[betamatt]

If you're set on a Martin I'd look for `70's vintage. I've played a number of them that are great instruments, and you should be able to find some decent ones in the $1,000 range. Plus, you're buying a piece of wood that's already dried and aged for 30 years - that's a good thing. Just remember when buying new or used, to reiterate what everyone else is saying: hold out for the right individual instrument.

[steelyfan]

I have absoutley no doubt that Martin makes great guitars, they just seem like the new "HArley Davidson" of guitars to me. "i'M SERIOUS ABOUT MY GUITAR PLAYIN, SO I RIDE A MARTIN" . he.he. This coming from a guy who's been playing for a year, and needs to make sure everyone knows he's got a big one, I mean a nice "boutique" guitar.

[Jim Williams]

I used to like Martins, back in the 60's and 70's. There wasn't much else to look at then.
Laurence Juber has a real nice 000 1935 Martin, he had Martin copy it and it's available as the Laurence Juber model. It's only around $3500.

I've played Collins, Guild, Taylor, Larrivee and many others. Then one day I played a Santa Cruz.

Game over for me. Now all I need is an extra $12,000 to buy one. Those guitars are a cut above anything else out there, a serious cut above.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[tropicalhotdog]

Originally Posted by steelyfan

I have absoutley no doubt that Martin makes great guitars, they just seem like the new "HArley Davidson" of guitars to me. "i'M SERIOUS ABOUT MY GUITAR PLAYIN, SO I RIDE A MARTIN" . he.he.

That's maybe not such a bad analogy. They're both iconic within their industries, but there are a lot of great yet more affordable alternatives. They deserve their reputations, but they also have their drawbacks. They are both a bit overpriced. But people who are really knowledgeable and serious about their playing/riding do understand why they each have their reputations.

And people with long hair seem to like them.

[chet.d]

Originally Posted by elambo

+1! And the opposite is even more accurate -- the majority of guitar owners own Martins and would defend their choice on a forum, much more so than anyone suggesting a different brand. I'd only take advice from someone who is not married to one specific brand.

Agree.

I own and love a Martin 00015 (auditorium style & around a grand I think). I also love taking an afternoon to drive to the Martin factory here in PA and have them make an adjustment if needed.
Those folks are simply great IMO.

That said, I also have an old Gruhn design "Hohner" acoustic. It plays great (maybe even more comfortable to play than the 00015) and also records very well, again IMO.

What the heck ever works at the time you need to track is all I really care about.
I try, these days, to not get hung up on "this one is the one".... it's all relative.

[days]

A few years ago, I spent what seemed like countless hours looking for a decent guitar for around $1,000. There weren't any.

Then I remembered that in my entire life I have never regretted spending a lot of money for something that I knew would make me happy. So, I bought a Collings for about $3,500. I'm glad that I did.

(As a sidenote, last year my girlfriend purchased a small parlor guitar - basically, a guitar for picking, not strumming - for $800, that is unbelievably good for the money. Beautiful solid tone, smooth action. I'd never heard of the guitar maker before: Blue Ridge. I love playing it. Highly recommended for finger-picking players.)

[TurboJets]

The OM21 is really nice but for far less $$ I bought an OM-16GT and it's one of the best recording guitars I've worked with...to me.

They're no longer in production but you can still find some dealers that have 1 or 2 in stock from like 2004/2005. Usually listing at $1,200 I picked mine up for around $700. IMHO the OM16GT definitely has that "wow" factor.

[vernier]

'

[elambo]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

I've played Collins, Guild, Taylor, Larrivee and many others. Then one day I played a Santa Cruz.

Game over for me. Now all I need is an extra $12,000 to buy one. Those guitars are a cut above anything else out there, a serious cut above.

Guild, Taylor and Larrivee and pretty inexpensive guitars, not good examples of the best-of-the-best. Collings on the other hand sits near the top.

If you had $12k to spend and you ended up with a Santa Cruz you'd need to strongly consider having your head examined. Give me $6k consultant's fee and I'll show you several guitars for $6k which would make you soil your trousers.

$3k gets you a nice SC. I saw a Steve Swan special edition for $2,400 recently. A very nice guitar.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by days

Then I remembered that in my entire life I have never regretted spending a lot of money for something that I knew would make me happy. So, I bought a Collings for about $3,500. I'm glad that I did.

Congrats! There's nothing else like a Collings and no one can match their impeccable reputation. It's a very addicting brand. Not only do they make great acoustics but their electrics are unbelievable. Their I-35 is the best elec gtr I've ever played. Almost makes even me sound professional.