High-end Martin Acoustics

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Tadpui

Tadpui

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I'm in a unique position to purchase a high-quality acoustic guitar. I'm not a stage performer but I do record in my amatuer-quality home project studio. Mainly I just strum and sing to my wife and dog.

But I want a guitar that I'm going to keep until I die, and hand it down to my children. I bought a Les Paul Classic about 10 years ago with the same intention, and it has made me happy each and every time I've played it. Even though I don't perform on stage, playing my Les Paul in my basement to nobody but the crickets and the cobwebs makes me happy at a very fundamental level and I'll have that guitar until I die.

So I'm looking for the same caliber of acoustic guitar. Something that inspires me deep inside, something that I can't wait to get home from work and pick up and play every day. I've just started my search in the past few days and I went to my local guitar botique to start playing acoustics to find my next soul mate.

Although I can't remember the exact models I've tried so far, I played an orchestra-type Martin and a dreadnaught that had Adirondak Spruce tops in what the guy at the shop called a "pre-war" setup. I thought that they both sounded boxy and unimpressive.

I played a Breedlove dreadnaught that didn't sound bad, but didn't wow me either.

I played a Gibson Advanced Jumbo that came pretty close to what I'm after, but the dead strings on it made it tough to determine if it was truly my top choice.

I spent a bit of time with a Taylor cutaway that sounded great, even though the strings on it were obnoxiously heavy (and I'm a heavy string kind of guy) and it was tuned way low. It was a beautiful instrument with mother of pearl rosette and binding, and a beautiful light-colored top (not sure what wood it was..it didnt look like spruce but you could fool me).

About a year ago I played a Martin HD-28 and it made the hair stand up on my arms and neck. It was perfect for me. Powerful, powerful bass, silky smooth mids, and chiming highs. They didn't have one in stock during my visit the other day so I didn't get to refresh my memory on how it suited my tastes, but I'm still pretty sure that's what I'm after. The salesman said that he's getting an HD-35 in stock here in a week or two and that he though that I'd love it if I liked the HD-28. So I have a week or two to kill until that guitar arrives. So in the meantime, I want to go play all of the high-end production acoustic guitars that I can in order to hone in on what I want, and to make sure that the HD-28 or HD-35 are going to be the kings of the hill for me.

So any of you fellows and experts that have lots of experience playing high-end guitars, and high-end Martins in particular: what would you recommend that I play over the next couple of weeks during my search for a keepsake guitar that'll live happily in my posession for the rest of my life?
 
I can't play guitar.

A friend of mine has a Martin D20 his Dad bought way, way back and I recorded it a bit.

It was the best acoustic guitar I ever worked with - so much character. Really in a different league than others I've heard.

I'm a drummer/keyboardist, and I'd say that those guitars are the equivalent of what Istanbul K's are to cymbals.

As time goes on, I only want to use that level of instrument.
 
I have a Les Paul Classic also, I love the high output 496R and 500T pickups. I also have an HD-28, It is an excellent guitar. My friend who is a drummer bought an HD-35, It is a great guitar also, although it tends to be a bit more boomy than the 28.
VP:cool:
 
You are fortunate to be living at a time when some of the best guitars that have evr been built are being made. A Martin HD 28 is indeed a very fine instument. A good example of a Gibson Advanced Jumbo is also. So are guitars by Larivee, Collings, and many others. Take your time and try as many as you can. Ask the dealer if you can try out that AJ with fresh strings. I bet he'll do it.

I have a Northwood MJ that still gives me goosebumps when I play it. Northwood is one of many small shops that are out there building instruments with individual craftsmanship. I believe that he is still affordable enought for your consideration.

If you aspire to make many recordings in the future, also give special consideration to the OM sized guitars. They often record better than their big brothers.

Good luck
 
Tadpui,
Have you been over to Mass Street Music in Lawrence? I think they probably have the largest selection of high end guitars in the greater KC area.
 
I was fortunate enough back in 1973 to acquire a brand new Martin D-35 from a Martin factory employee. He got it at a deep employee discount but didn't play. I was happy to take it off his hands. Almost 36 years later, I still play it almost daily and it sounds better year after year. It's hard to imagine playing anything else. Best money I ever spent.
 
Yes, this is truly the golden age of steel stringed acoustic guitars and there are so many choices from from manufacturers big and small. Still, you can't go wrong with an HD-28 and it should be on anyone's short list for dreadnaughts. One variant you may want to look at in this price range is a Martin D-21 Special if you can find one. Though I've always been more attracted to Gibsons and Guilds, the D-21 I've had the last year continues to impress.
 
I would also mention that mahogany is not inferior to rosewood as a guitar wood. Many of the finest guitars I have played were mahogany back and sides rather than rosewood. Listen with an open mind and you may find that a D-18 or J-45 is better suited to you than the HD-28 or Advanced Jumbo.

A good J-45 is a good guitar indeed.

Be sure to check out Huss & Dalton if you get a chance. They make both Martin and Gibson style guitars in a small shop in Staunton Va. Very fine craftsmanship.
 
I play a mahogany Martin (MC16-GTE, not one of their highest end, but a very nice guitar nonetheless), and I'll happily back you up there. :)

That said, one of the nicest guitars I've ever played was a '70's Gibson acoustic. I'm afraid I can't tell you much of it - it belonged to an ex's dad - but it was just such a sweet sounding guitar.
 
My favorite picks when I see someone wanting a nice acoustic are.

Martin HD28

Taylor 800 series

But any really depends on what your doing with it.

I'm partial to smaller bodies myself and less expensive ones ;p
I picked up 00016GTR and a Taylor 412CE both pretty nice for
finger picking and light strumming.

For heavy duty strumming the HD is a natural.
 
Hard to go wrong with a Martin, at least with a good one.

I think you are already doing the right thing - play as many guitars as you can. I would suggest that you not limit yourself to new guitars, though. There are some very fine used Martins on the market. Most stores will let you take a guitar for a few days to try, so take it to a good repair shop and have them give it the once over to determine if it is in good shape. But mostly, just keep playing as many guitars as you can - that's the best way to decide what you want.

I'd also caution you that if you really want a guitar to last the rest of your life, you might want to think about a smaller guitar. Drednaughts are great, but they are big enough that as you get older you have a very good chance of developing shoulder problems that make them hard to play. I'm not saying this will necessarily be a problem for you, but I know a lot of guys for whom it is a BIG problem.

And, if you've got the money, go look at some small shop builders. We specialize in making the hair on your arm stick up. If you can find a shop that carries guitars from some small shop builders, do try to give them a listen.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Hey everybody, thank you so much for your replies. Your expertise has proven to be very useful. I really appreciate the input.

Well, last night I found it. The one. Hiding behind a glass case in the "Martin room" inside of the acoustic room in the Guitar Center of Independence, MO, I found it. It turns out that the guitar I was destined to spend the rest of my life with was a Martin D-41.

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Congratulations!!!

I bet she's a honey.

I love it when I wish someone good luck and they get it.
 
DrewPeterson7 said:
Gorgeous guitar, man. :D
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Thanks man. I don't have kids, but I can only imagine that getting compliments on my guitars feels about as good as getting compliments about how pretty the daughter looks in her dress for the big dance, or compliments on the son that ran the game-winning touchdown on a Friday night game :-D

I've sent pics to everybody I know with a cel phone or an email address so far. I'm gonna be one of those obnoxious parents that's constantly cornering people at bus stops and grocery store lines, showing pics of my new "kids".
 
Tadpui said:
Thanks man. I don't have kids, but I can only imagine that getting compliments on my guitars feels about as good as getting compliments about how pretty the daughter looks in her dress for the big dance, or compliments on the son that ran the game-winning touchdown on a Friday night game :-D

I've sent pics to everybody I know with a cel phone or an email address so far. I'm gonna be one of those obnoxious parents that's constantly cornering people at bus stops and grocery store lines, showing pics of my new "kids".
Click to expand...

Yeah, and unlike me, 20 years from now your baby won't be in college.
 
Does that model come with bone bridge pins? My HD-28 came with plastic that I replaced with ebony. A noticable difference in the sound.
VP
 
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