Marlboro acoustic ?

[toyL]

Marlboro unknown (from Marlboro points plus $ shipping/handling)
A friend gave me this new "Marlboro" guitar a couple of yrs ago. Aside from the binding, it looks a lot like a Martin D-28, although it's a bit heavier than the few Martins I've played. The tuners look just like Martins, but they have no markings. It's very well made, with nice binding along the neck and body-top and back. The back and sides appear to be solid rosewood. It's fairly heavy, and is slightly taller than my Washburn D-15. Neck appears to be mahogany, fretboard is rosewood. It plays easily, stays in tune, and has a rich deep (quite vibrant) sound. The solid spruce top has a few small manufacturer-blemishes (visable in the close-up pic). I assume these minor blemishes resulted in "REJECT" at the manufacturer's final inspection, which ultimately caused it to wind up in the hands of Marlboro, rather than getting a proper serial number and manufacturer's logo. In fact, it has no ID markings at all. Just wondering if anyone has an idea of who manufactured it? Thanks.
NOTE: sorry if this has already been covered.

 

[DuddyGuy]

Just by looking i would say it was made by a company that i can't remember the name of, but they supply the basic guitar with no finish work and no hardware to other companies to sell.

That exact guitar is sold/has been sold by carvin, ibanez and a few others, ibanez at one time branded it as part of its art wood series (one of the higher end art woods). It is a solid top guitar and matures very well. In fact that particular model is one of my favorite acoustics,

Once they get about ~10 years old they really come into their own and have a very bright tone which just cuts through any mix of instruments your playing with. I own an ibanez branded model and have recommended the carvin equivalent to quite a few people and no one has ever been disappointed. New, most manufacturers sell this guitar in the 375-550 range, which is an excellent deal imho.

All said and done, definitely a true axe.

 

[DuddyGuy]

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=C250&cid=75

carvin

i looked on the ibanez site and they apparently no longer sell that exact guitar but did at one point... if i can find a camera ill post a pic of an ibanez branded version.

also i would assume yours went directly from the original manufacturer to someone marlboro had contracted to finish, as you may notice the head is abnormally long, they leave the companies they sell to room up there to cut different shapes out of the head so it doesnt look like they are all selling the same guitar

 

[JRSIV]

These are awesome acoustics for what they are! I got one in 2001 for Christmas from my Mom and it has aged so well and sounds better than several guitars I've heard that cost 4 to 5 times as much!

I researched around the web and heard alot about how it resembles and sounds just like a Sigma D-28 copy. I've also heard the brand name Dixon thrown around. Whatever the maker, it is a steal if you can get one. Nice bottom end and suprisingly well made. I've tuned mine down a whole step and it absolutely roars! Songs in D sound massive.

 

[JRSIV]

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=C250&cid=75

carvin

i looked on the ibanez site and they apparently no longer sell that exact guitar but did at one point... if i can find a camera ill post a pic of an ibanez branded version.

also i would assume yours went directly from the original manufacturer to someone marlboro had contracted to finish, as you may notice the head is abnormally long, they leave the companies they sell to room up there to cut different shapes out of the head so it doesnt look like they are all selling the same guitar

I don't think it's a Carvin. They have long made direct shipped guitars and aren't in the business of supplying guitars to other brands as far as I know. The bridge and other appointments (tuners, pickguard) also look nothing like the guitar shown.

Electric manufacturers like Cort have supplied small companies with Strat copies for years and they always suck. That's what makes the Marlboro acoustic so cool; it's made really well and sounds great.

 

[DuddyGuy]

I don't think it's a Carvin. They have long made direct shipped guitars and aren't in the business of supplying guitars to other brands as far as I know. The bridge and other appointments (tuners, pickguard) also look nothing like the guitar shown.

Electric manufacturers like Cort have supplied small companies with Strat copies for years and they always suck. That's what makes the Marlboro acoustic so cool; it's made really well and sounds great.

yeah its not carvin... i was just saying carvin uses the same guitar i worked in the cabinet shop and on the guitar line at carvin, which was when i first realized the same guitar as the art wood was being supplied to multiple manufacturers