How many of you own Martins?

[Jeff_L]

Arcie,

You mentioned in your original post "OM gas", so I'll chime in.

I had an OM-35 a few years ago, and the only reason it's gone is because I came across the Goodall. The OM-35 was almost everything I wanted a small-bodied guitar to be - reasonably loud, great tone, a resonant bass, with clearly defined mids and trebles. (Obviously, the Goodall has more of the same things or the Martin would still be here.)

I really don't think you can go wrong with a Martin OM. They stopped making the OM-35 a couple of years ago, so you might have a tough time finding one. The M-36 is almost the same, although I believe that M has a 1 11/16" nut where the OM had a 1 3/4" nut, and I'm not sure about the M's bracing - scalloped or not. The OM had scalloped bracing.

Keep looking. A Martin OM is definitely worth the time it takes to find one.

One mans's opinion,

Jeff

 

[fungusyoung]

Even though it's subjective, can someone try and explain the Martin "sound" to me?

When ever I go to a store to play guitars I always play them, but the ones I've played just don't do anything for me.

Yeah, me either Graham. I stop in at the local GC's frequently, just to play and see what's available.

OK, I'll take a stab. The scenario you describe is exactly what the problem is, at least in my experience.

Just before my 35th birthday, my wife said "let me get you a real nice guitar for your birthday, you've always wanted one". She was right, and we went looking. She's awesome, obviously. At the time I was living about 25 minutes from Nazareth so I did some research, then we checked out a couple local dealer/shops. One I believe was called Meadow Music in Kutztown, PA. Very nice people in there. They introduced me to the 15 series, and pitched it as a "great entry level option". A short time later we went up to what I thought would be the best dealer in the area, Nazareth Music Center. Well, that was a good call. Not only did they have an amazing selection, they were nice as could be and very carefully looked after every guitar that was test driven (you had to wear an apron... still do today!). There's no doubt that they get a very choice selection of Martins. I played a D-15, J-15, 000-15 and a 00-15. Bear in mind, I couldn't play a lick (still really can't), but I bought the 000-15 the next day after some thinking. Best birthday present I've ever gotten. I'll never part with it.

Martins take a lot of time to open up. I can't really explain it except to say both the 15 and 16 series guitars I've owned just got better and better over time. Both sounded good, but not stunning, when I first bought them. But, after being played a bunch and given time, they get sound fabulous. When I first got Scratch's D-35, I never expected to love it like I do because I was never a rosewood guy, but it was instantaneous. That guitar feels and sounds so great, suits my style so well, etc. that it completely caught me off guard... in a very good way! To me, Martins sound more full than a Taylor. They sound richer than the Gibsons I've tried. They are about equal to Guilds (though they have their own voice as do Guilds), which obviously puts Guilds in the better value slot. But, these generalizations probably won't do you or anyone much good. Like with any guitar, you have to find the one that speaks to you. Martins never speak to some.

I will say this without turning this into a rant against GC... every time I've played Martins in large chain stores, the set ups have SUCKED, the strings were often dead and the action was always annoyingly high. It's just my experience in many large stores, all over the country (mostly in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast & West Coast) during the past 5 years. In contrast, I rarely had this problem with the Taylors I tried. Luckily, by the time I played them in big shops, I had already played a bunch that were set up very well in Nazareth area shops so I knew this was a QC issue with the store.

I'll never forget the sweet smell coming from inside those cases that first day at Nazareth Music. That was oddly alluring because it just made it all feel all the more right. I can still smell it a bit today 6 years later when I open the 000-15 case, but it was overpowering those first couple of years. The guitar, though... not a year has passed where it hasn't sounded better.

 

[Graham]

The guitar, though... not a year has passed where it hasn't sounded better.

Thanks Mike.

I did get to play the D-35 that you have from Scratch and I do remember it being a fine sounding guitar. Smooth sounding, to me.

 

[kydave]

Even though it's subjective, can someone try and explain the Martin "sound" to me?

Full, rich bass mixed with crisp trebles and a good tonally balance mid-range to even things out. That is a good D-28 ... the Martin sound.

Back in the day, when I was ready to sell my '60s rock gear and go acoustic there were the Big Three: Martin, Gibson, Guild - in that order. You had a Gibson or Guild generally until you could afford a Martin. The Gibsons were thumpy with the occasional outstanding full bodied sound. Guilds made the best acoustic 12 string, but few people took them seriously as a 6 string (back in Bluegrass country [Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee] in the late 60s going into the '70s). Martins, and the Martin D-28 in particular, reigned supreme, with the nod to the cutting power of a D-18 for the lead guitarist sometimes. But a good D-28 did it all and did it all better than anything else around.

Any of those three guitar makers will have outstanding individual guitars that will beat the brains out of some of the other brand. Wooden guitars are like that . But if you keep the comparison at apple to apple and orange to orange, go into good stores with well set up and cared for instruments, you will not have any problems finding Martins to blow your socks off. Not that you can't find Guilds to do the same, especially the Adi topped Bluegrass (BS & BJ) models lately. But they are generally built more heavily and less consistent than a similar Martin in Adi, scalloped bracing, rosewood or hog respectively. The Guilds in Adi are a helluva deal when you find a good one though, costing subtantially less than the Martin counterpart.

On the other hand, I'd rather have a GAD 30R than most cheap Martins... Go figure.

 

[cuthbert]

Even though it's subjective, can someone try and explain the Martin "sound" to me?

Full, rich bass mixed with crisp trebles and a good tonally balance mid-range to even things out.

Well, this definition is used for EVERY good acoustic guitar on EVERY forum, for EVERY name the poster liked.

About hte D-28, honestly I played four of them in my life and they were all mediocre guitars. I played a D-28 in the shop where I bought my Ovation BCS and the Ovation had more volume, I surprised about that, the Ovation is such a small guitar, basically a OOO...

I had the oppurtunity to paly other two side by side, one with rosewood or striped ebony bridge, and one with a nice black ebony bridge: the latter was very bad, although aestetically was great.

I had more fortune with the D-35, that I consider a superior guitar. Different arguemnt for the MCs, they were super instrument and Stewe Howe's is one of the best soundign guitars I've ever heard live.

In general, the equation is simple:

Martin=OOOverrated.

Triple O, of course.

 

[Graham]

In general, the equation is simple:

Martin=OOOverrated.

Triple O, of course.

I didn't intend for my post to become a beat down on those who don't care for Martins. The thread started as an innocent "How many of you own Martins", please keep it civil.

 

[cuthbert]

In general, the equation is simple:

Martin=OOOverrated.

Triple O, of course.

I didn't intend for my post to become a beat down on those who don't care for Martins. The thread started as an innocent "How many of you own Martins", please keep it civil.

I think that the answer "they're overrated" is civil. Better I said that some of them are overrated, the D-28 in particular (gods, I've enugh of listening to discussions such as "if you don't have a d-28 you arent' a real player!"), while others are underrated (the M series first, then the "strange" models that were rejected by their traditional customers), so I think we're still in the realm of the open and honest discussions among people who think differently.

 

[sfIII]

I'll chime in.. I have a OOO-15S.. I love the wide fretboard, Sounds real mellow, it is great for finger picking.. But these days I'm mostly stuck on a GF-40 and a Tacoma F47R.

I got the Martin, because of a recommendation by Hans on this or the previous board.

 

[TonyT]

Zowie, I found a Martin M-38. 2007, NOS, in a shop today for $!500. I'm no genius, but that seems crazy cheap, does it not.

 

[kydave]

Tony,

If you're saying what I think you are, grab it - run and never look back! The M-38 is a great guitar.

The M or 0000 (same thing) Martin is actually not an overlooked model so much, as just not made as much. They are getting a lot of good press in Martin circles for sure. I chased around for years to find a used 0000-28H (there were only 256 made) and it is right up there with my old D-28 with the guitar I'd like to be around for the rest of my life.

One reason Martin does get some bad PR these days is that they used to never make low end crap, or if they did it was called Shenandoah or Sigma or something other than Martin. Nowadays, they have some lines that are not worthy of the name.

Dave

 

[cuthbert]

One reason Martin does get some bad PR these days is that they used to never make low end crap, or if they did it was called Shenandoah or Sigma or something other than Martin. Nowadays, they have some lines that are not worthy of the name.

Dave

Ehm, when I was akid one of my friend had a Sigma D-41, and was a beautiful guitar, perfect for a thirteen years old boy. The Shenandoah was labelled Martin on the headstock, and as a matter of fact they were much better guitars than the present low end Martins made of formica. At least it was wood (laminated) and at least there was some kind of finish.

P.S.Oh yes, I'm pointing at Shenandoah as well on evil bay... :roll:

 

[TonyT]

Tony,

If you're saying what I think you are, grab it - run and never look back! The M-38 is a great guitar.

The M or 0000 (same thing) Martin is actually not an overlooked model so much, as just not made as much. They are getting a lot of good press in Martin circles for sure. I chased around for years to find a used 0000-28H (there were only 256 made) and it is right up there with my old D-28 with the guitar I'd like to be around for the rest of my life.

One reason Martin does get some bad PR these days is that they used to never make low end crap, or if they did it was called Shenandoah or Sigma or something other than Martin. Nowadays, they have some lines that are not worthy of the name.

Dave

I'm gonna play it tonight and probably lay-away it. I don't have that kind of dough sitting around. I can't wait to give it a whirl.

 

[Scratch]

I had an early Shenandoah 12 string that played quite nicely a couple of years ago. Wasn't up to par with US Guild 12ers, for sure, but actually sounded better than the GAD 12 string I had at the time...

 

[chazzan]

Martin guitars is one of the reasons I am at this website- let me explain.....

in 1999 I could not find any decent/ reasonable costing/good condition "vintage acoustic guitars" so I bought a new 00028 Martin standard series made left handed- it sounded OK, not bad, but not great- when I lucked out in 2003 and found a 1978 f-30 for $535- it blew the Martin away in all areas hands down. (as well as a 1991 gibson j-45 that I sold right after I got the Guild)

Summer of 2004 I broke down and bought a guild Mark II from a store w/o actually playing the guitar first (because I could not find a Mark II or any guild in my area for years (Chicago area) besides the big dreds)
That little classical also blew away the Martin in volume and tone! The only good thing about the Martin was, due to the name, I was able to sell it after 5 years and get most of my $$$ back.

That's what sold me on Guild!

IMO most of the Martins I played 15 and better series are good guitars, but nothing special, well made but not much "soul" (dare I say) that is a new topic in itself what gives a guitar "soul"

 

[Pike]

edit: I've had my hands on lots of Martins and lots of Guilds. I've kept four Guilds and one Martin.

 

[Cypress Knee]

Here is the best sounding Martin I ever played, I think - 1944 D 28:

Unless it's this one - 1930 OM 28:

These belong to Bob Hamilton, a gentleman of the first order who brings these and others in his magnificent collection to guitar gatherings and allows the unwashed masses to play them.

There are no guitars like them in current production, not Martin, not Taylor, not Guild, not Gibson. The sound that emanates from those instruments is wonderful and something indeed to behold.

If you ever play one of them, you will understand why everyone wants a Martin - they are hoping to find a guitar that will sound like that some day!

You can visit the full thread and see some pics of his other guitars at umgf.com. Go to the gallery area and look for a thread called "used guitars revisited" by pickaheringbone.

CK

 

[kydave]

CK,

Thanks for posting those pics, words and thoughts.
Anyone who has played some of the Great (with a capital G) Martins knows why, as you say, that is the ultimate steel string guitar acoustic sound. Growing up in Bluegrass Country back in Kentucky and starting to play music in the early '60s, I was fortunate enough then and since to have encountered many great pickers and great Martins, and shared the stage with more than a few, too.

The classic pre-war D-28 is THE yardstick by which all dreadnaught acoustic guitars are measured, even if some folks don't realize it.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Almost bought a Martin on 5 or 6 occasions.

 

[Scratch]

I just can't help but respect a company that has been making guitars for 176 years . They've stayed in the same place, Nazareth, PA. Something to be said for corporate stability and staying in touch with your roots. I understand they are also pretty good to their employees.

 

[Tunes]

I just can't help but respect a company that has been making guitars for 176 years . They've stayed in the same place, Nazareth, PA. Something to be said for corporate stability and staying in touch with your roots. I understand they are also pretty good to their employees.

Man oh man - is there ANY company, franchise or brand that has survived and prospered for 176 years? That is crazy. That is one of the reasons I had to buy a Martin, really, anything that has endured that long and is still going strong has GOT to be doing something right.

I have not heard hundreds of guitars, but certainly dozens and have played most major brands (Gibson, Larrivee, Taylor, Blueridge, Collings, Seagull, Godin, Cole Clark, Washburn, Takamine, some others). There is an amazing warmth to the Martin sound that is very hard to reproduce. It may not get up and grab your unmentionables, but it strokes you in a comforting kinda way, but yet is capable of getting a real big voice out there without making your teeth ache. Oh yea - my Martin just smells nice too.

Having said that, given the choice to spend money on a new guitar, I went with a D-55. You all know why.