I’m thinking of getting a new guitar! Specifically the Martin HD-28V. I play a variety of styles but my own artistry lies in solo fingerpicking. What do people think of Martin? Obviously their reputation is outstanding. I really like the guitar and I have been told it will sound even better over time. I have looked at a lot of guitars including Taylors and Lavarees. This one seems to appeal to me the most. I am essentially looking for a grand piano in a guitar form.
Guitar suggestions people? What do you like and what do you think about this Martin?
I’d give a look at acousticguitarforum.com and do a little research there. They were very helpful during my guitar search last fall.
My conclusion is that while Martins can be truly excellent, they are maybe a little too mass produced for each one to be excellent. The smaller makers can do a lot more hand tuning of the top and bracing than the big boys do. I really enjoyed all of the Huss and Daltons, Santa Cruzes and Collings that I played, but there were certainly some Martins that I liked better than others.
Also, I’m not a fingerpicker so not up on some of the current thinking, but I think that something other than a dread might be a better choice. The D-28 strikes me as being more of a flatpicking instrument. Might want to look at something like a OM sized guitar.
Anyway, play a lot of guitars. Have fun with the process, I sure did. And you’ll find the right one and know it one of these days.
Here’s an interesting link I just dug up that sort of backs up my claim that you might want to look at a more fingerstyle oriented guitar than a big ol’ dread…
You guys are awesome. In all honesty I have had some doubts about the Dread…but I couldn’t put into words. That article was very informative.
I’m trying to get something from Long and McQuade as I can trade in my double bass there and they have a sale this month. I was originally drawn to a Larivee. What do you think of those guitars?
Unless you are going to be standing up while playing, don’t get a dread. I owned a Martin D18 for most of my life (purchased circa 1968) and my right arm would sometimes hurt from being pinched where it draped over the top (and I’m fairly big, 6’ 200 lbs). A dread also eliminates the possibility of holding it in the classical manner. The guitar was a cannon, but always too bassy for fingerstyle.
Look at OMs. I also like the Lowden Os, which are basically Jumbo guitars, but they seem just enough smaller than the dreads to accommodate me. I also really like the 1 7/8 " fingerboard (I, too, am a fingerpicker).
I don’t really know Larrivee, so I can’t comment on them. I like Breedlove, though they may be too bright for some.
Also, ignore the ‘sale’. That will only pressure you into making a quick decision. Take time.
I’ve only played three (I play left-handed, so opportunities are rare), and those only briefly, but they had an ease of playing and sweetness of tone that appealed to me. They didn’t have as much sound projection as the typical Martin, but I think they’re well-suited to more intimate styles.
I want to get rid of my double bass so the only way I can do so is by trade in. Who carrys Lowden Guitars? I am interested because Don Ross used to play them.
I just noticed this thread - why isn’t it in Cafe Society?
Pork Rind and **ethelbert **are right - if you are a fingerstylist, you don’t want a dreadnaught - they were designed for flatpicking to cut through a larger combo arrangement.
Gibson 00’s or the LG-2 are wonderful small-bodied guitars. I have an old LG-2 that is my favorite acoustic. Extremely well-balanced for picking-type stuff.
You should try playing both rosewood and mahogany-bodied guitars. Rosewood has a bit more sustain and complexity to the harmonic - which can be great, but can also “crowd the sound” a bit if you play jazzier or faster patterns - in that case, the woody, warm tone of mahogany can suit you better. I am a 'hog kinda guy myself.
In terms of newer Martins, I was in GC recently and tried their most recent attempt at user lesser-expensive materials - the 000X1. I was very pleasantly surprised - solid top and very balanced and responsive for a guitar priced at ~$500. Ideal for fingerstyle and picking.
Hereis a detailed review I found online that seems well written.
Lowden guitars have gone through a number of changes. You can read the history here. My own guitar (an O-32) and experience with Lowden guitars dates from before 2004, when they were still being produced at Newtownards. I have never so much as seen one of his newer guitars (although I have never heard any bad things about them). A complete list of dealers can be found at the previous link.
I bought my D18 in 1977, was a fingerpicker then, am a fingerpicker now, and have been thoroughly satisfied. I’ve never had the discomfort alluded to above, and I’m not a big guy. What ethelbert called “too bassy” I’d call “a robust bass” which I built into my style. (Such that it is - I’m a serious amateur not a professional.) I’ve got medium strings on it, and adore the sound.
That said, the god of fingerpickers, Bruce Cockburn, I believe used a Larivee for all his classic fingerpicking songs (Lions, Tokyo, etc.) and there’s no arguing with that, is there?
As I said, I owned a D18 for over 30 years. It was basically the only guitar I used and I played (and loved) the crap out of it. It was only when the guitar started to become unplayable (action got too high as the bridge raised up) that I started looking around. I had pretty much assumed that when I could afford it, I would get me a D45 (basically a tarted up D28). After playing a lot of guitars, I came to the conclusions I spoke of earlier. I also decided a little bit of abalone went a long way. I would like to think its because I’ve gotten wiser. I’d like to think that, but its bullshit. I’ve just changed. Yes sir, you could get yourself a Martin dread and be a happy man. Look around some and buy what your heart desires.
I have a DCM. It’s the cheapest grade of Martin that still has a solid top. I think it is a great sounding guitar and an easy player even for me, primarily a Fender electric player. At campouts where several people bring acoustics, it’s always the loudest and to my ears, the sweetest sounding. Of course it must be taken into consideration that the others are typically bringing thier “beaters” and my Martin is my only acoustic so that’s what I bring. Also, me being the loudest is not really a good thing!
You can get that fixed. It’s a pretty common malady. Just take it to a luthier. Unless you’re looking for an excuse to buy another guitar, of course.
I play fingerstyle on a Taylor 712 and have been more than happy with it since I bought it in 1992 or thereabouts. I haven’t seriously looked at another acoustic since. I played dreadnoughts up until then but the Taylor really opened things up with it’s balance and easy action.
Just curious - how old were you when you got your D18? I was 16. Saved every cent I had from teaching guitar for two years in order to get it. Was the biggest day of my life up to that point!
Regarding your bridge lifting - back then Martins came with a lifetime warranty. I actually had a problem with the pick guard lifting and splitting the top in the 1990s and contacted the good folks in Nazareth. I had no documentation, but they looked things up in their file (I think there’s a serial number on the label), and arranged a local luthier to fix it. He did a great job and it looks virtually as good as new.
Give them a call - I’ll bet they’ll fix your bridge free.
Back in the 70’s I had the braces shaved. The luthier (Matt Umanov) would reach into the guitar and scallop the braces. It was generally thought that the Martin Dreadnaughts were overbraced and you could make them louder by removing some of the bracing. Well, it did make it louder, but it also invalidated the warranty. I priced having it (a neck reset) done (it also needed a fret job) and it came to about $800. Cosmetically the guitar was a wreck, so I let it go.
I was about sixteen when I got the guitar as well. I paid $250 for it, brand new.
I just tried a Morgan guitar that I really liked. I think you guys are right about the Martin…while a fabulous guitar not quite what I’m looking for. The Norman I tried though was 4000$ (yikes) It was made of Koa & Bearclaw Spruce. It sounded fantastic! Balanced and suitable for both strumming and fingerstyle. I’ve learned that Sarah McLachlan plays one (Yay!) as does Nickelback (boo!)
I am so damn picky over this, I want the best guitar possible. Does anyone on this board own a custom acoustic of any kind? I really want a Betneau guitar, but they are about 6000$! His website is here: http://www.beneteauguitars.com/
Maybe I should get something more mid range until I can save for one of his. I want his fan fret guitar.
That was common for late-60’s and 70’s Martins which were built with heavier bracing - commonly thought to avoid all the service work on the thinner-braced (but better sounding) earlier Martins…
**Quasi **- the Betneau’s are replicas of older style guitars - his “Nick Lucas” is a re-do of a Gibson parlor guitar from the 30’s. There are plenty of other makers doing the same thing, at a variety of price points depending on whether you go for mass-produced vs. handmade. Smaller-bodied guitars like Parlors are in vogue right now so there are plenty to try…
