How many of you own Martins?

[cuthbert]

I don't own a Martin, but I tried many though the years.

To be honest, I found them better than average instrument that were almost unplayable due to high action, bad shape of the nut and saddle, and curved neck, in short, they were just good for generica strumming. Of course, a good set up by your trusted luthier can solve these problems, but in a very expensive guitar I do mind.

Once my luthier wrote to them a letter complaining about the high action and scarce playbility of their guitars, and Nazereth sent a EXTREMELY ANNOYED fax stating that they were making guitars for professional players, and if he and his customers weren't able to play a Martin it was their own problem... :roll: :roll: :roll:

Neverthless, I would like to purchase a Martin MC-28, one of these with the oval soundhole, but they're very difficult to find, and I'd love to own a new MC-38 Steve Howe, but that guitar is simply...too expensive.

 

[dadthrash]

kydave and Pickoid,
Quarter Sawn/Straight Grained Brazilian all the way! I looked long and hard for one like this, and paid a PREMIUM price for it. I also looked at 8 of the Martin D-28 Authentics.....none were as nice as this GE.

It plays and SOUNDS better than it looks! (I played a few...and none had the Projection, Bass Resonance, and Brazilian Mid/High Chime and Sparkle of this one!) YEEHAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks,
MRT

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Yes I own a Martin.
It's a 1981 D35 that I bought new in 1981. [$870.00]
I love it and it's the guitar that I judge all other guitars against.

 

[taabru45]

Great pics Joan, but if you're anywhere near West, like Arlington, leave that nice turquoise jewelry at home, or he'll be wanting to somehow end up with it, to match his 72 of course. :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[kydave]

I don't own a Martin, but I tried many though the years.

To be honest, I found them better than average instrument that were almost unplayable due to high action, bad shape of the nut and saddle, and curved neck, in short, they were just good for generica strumming. Of course, a good set up by your trusted luthier can solve these problems, but in a very expensive guitar I do mind.

Once my luthier wrote to them a letter complaining about the high action and scarce playbility of their guitars, and Nazereth sent a EXTREMELY ANNOYED fax stating that they were making guitars for professional players, and if he and his customers weren't able to play a Martin it was their own problem... :roll: :roll: :roll:

Neverthless, I would like to purchase a Martin MC-28, one of these with the oval soundhole, but they're very difficult to find, and I'd love to own a new MC-38 Steve Howe, but that guitar is simply...too expensive.

See, now this is a wonderful example of why there are a variety of thriving guitar making companies, big & small, in the world.

To my way of thinking, it is MUCH easier to adjust the action of a saddle or nut LOWER than to make it higher (which obviously involves replacing). Anyone that talks like your luthier did to Martin is probably used to making acoustic guitars for players who like them set up practically like an electric.

And the variety of what appeals to who is also illustrated by you liking a cutaway, and the non-traditional oval soundhole, both of which turn me off in the extreme. But neither is inherently better or worse...

Pick on!

 

[cuthbert]

See, now this is a wonderful example of why there are a variety of thriving guitar making companies, big & small, in the world.

To my way of thinking, it is MUCH easier to adjust the action of a saddle or nut LOWER than to make it higher (which obviously involves replacing). Anyone that talks like your luthier did to Martin is probably used to making acoustic guitars for players who like them set up practically like an electric.

And the variety of what appeals to who is also illustrated by you liking a cutaway, and the non-traditional oval soundhole, both of which turn me off in the extreme. But neither is inherently better or worse...

Pick on!

Well, Dave, lowering the auction is indeed MUCH more difficult than raising it, because you need to have a guitar with a straight neck, non issues on the fingerboard extension, frets all at the same level...it involves a lot of work if you want to have a instrument completley playable on ALL the fingerboard, that doesn't buzz on even one single fret, and allow the player to play anything from heavy strumming to fingerpicking to solo work. You don't really need to replace a low nut, there are shims, usually made of ebony, to raise a bone, it's not a problem for that.

In my case, when I play a guitar, it doesn't matter if it's acoustic or electric, I need to do everything with her, and I need the entire fingerboard, that's the reason I need a cutaway (I also play solo on 12 strings...), for the oval soundhole, I'm attracted by non conventional designs, the MC series of the 80s were marvellous guitars because at that time Martin tried to make things different, not just the same old D-28, they experimented.

Personally I heard Steve Howe playing his old MC-28 and I can assure you that's a great guitar, with a strong and balanced sound, a guitar you can play everything with.

And this is not little, imo.

 

[kydave]

... lowering the auction is indeed MUCH more difficult than raising it ... there are shims ...

Obviously we get our information from different sources.

 

[6L6]

I've owned 8 Martins over the years. Currently have two:

'98 D-45V
'09 D-35 Custom

 

[gretschbigsby]

Yep, owned many over the years.... now I have 3: 000-28EC, 000-15S, 5-18.

I like Martins very much. I like Guilds very much. But if I had to have only one guitar, it would probably be a Gibson.

 

[Dr. Spivey]

I think the Martin 000/OM models are among the best Martin has to offer, I'll probably own one someday. Martins have always come with the action on the high side, I'd rather lower it than raise it.

One thing that does annoy me about Martin is, the last 10 years or so, they don't bother to ream the bridgepin holes. They are drilled straight with no taper. The pins stick out like tombstones in some old neglected cemetery. Not cool.

 

[fungusyoung]

Some great stuff in this thread!

 

[chicagowineguy]

I'm into Guilds 'cause they really have the best QPR out there. BUT--if I can find a Martin OM or 000 ( I really liked the 00016GT I played a few weeks ago) that I can afford, I think I'll go for it. Guild dreads are just unbeatable, but Martin may have the edge in smaller-bodied design. If Clapton is okay with them, well...

 

[Pike]

I own a fantastic spruce / mahogany Martin, a 1986 D16M. Built more like a D18V, but no D18 can touch it. Nothing at all like the new D16's, it's got a dovetail neck joint and forward shifted, scalloped bracing. "Use medium guage or lighter strings" burned into the spine. Loud and resonant, nicely balanced, with deep thunderous bass. Although a bit louder, even this guitar doesn't have the awesome deep woodsy voice of my Guild D40.

 

[taabru45]

Oops.....I wrote this and posted it in the wrong forum.....please forgive me :? Steffan

Way back in about '69, I bought a Martin, that didn't sound that great, I didn't think, now at that time I had my precious 66 Braz D50. This Martin had the name in pearl inlay type vertically. I think it was braz, but can't quite remember. The top was arched, and had a round hole. Never was able to find much about it, lately I found something, There were 54 of these made, and very few in original condition, because many of them were converted to flat tops....I didn't have it too long, but wonder what the value of it would be now :shock: :shock: . Steffan
http://www.provide.net/~cfh/martin.html#c3

_________________
What you're seeing isn't necessarily what you are looking at.

 

[CWood8656]

Barbara and I have a 2008 Martin 00028EC. I lowered the action with a FWI saddle from Bob Colosi, and replaced the pins with Colosi FWI ones. I Did indeed have to sand awhile on the pins to get them to fit the non-tapered bridge pin holes. I didn't want to ream a new guitar, probably will do that one of these days. It's a fantastic playing and sounding guitar.

Doesn't change our love of Guilds a bit.


Chris.

 

[jgwoods]

I have a 2006 OM-21 Special. It's wonderful.
I also have a Martin GraphiteII- thin body cutaway, electronics, graphite top, HPL (formica) back and sides and a "stratabond" neck. It's as close to a Strat as you will get in an acoustic guitar, and tough as nails. Sounds pretty good too given the small body cavity.

 

[Tunes]

Yes - I am the proud owner of a 1999 D-35. My first guitar - sigh. I'll always love her.

I am happy to see so many other D-35 past and current owners here. While the 18's and 28's are the classic go-to bluegrass boomers, there seem to be a whole lot of D-35 admirers out there also.

Have to admit that since I put new strings and pins on the Guild it's about all I have played for the past couple of weeks. Better take my Martin in for a curl and set, make her purdy again.

With a 3rd guitar about to join the lineup (I hope), it's certainly been a challenge to decide what to buy. The prices of some D-55's out there are approaching what I can buy a nice 1973, or even 2002 D-28 for from my local luthier (same guy I have bought all my guitars from). There is also the thought of going electric. Then what!? Yikes.

Maybe I should just invest my money .... :lol: :lol: :lol: who am I kidding?

 

[chazmo]

I love the way the -35 series has always had a 3-piece rosewood back. I've had several 3-piece backed guitars, though no Martins yet.

The new Grand J is being offered as a six string in the -35 series now. This guitar should really be a tone monster.

 

[Pike]

Better take my Martin in for a curl and set, make her purdy again.

:lol:

 

[Pike]

I love the way the -35 series has always had a 3-piece rosewood back. I've had several 3-piece backed guitars, though no Martins yet.

Here's a very cool three piece birdseye back on my Bourgeios built Washburn Apache...