what to buy?

[Rufes]

I have a budget of about 2000-2500 bucks for an acoustic. Used or new. I play both fingerstile and pick and want it mainly for blues.

I am considering some guitars but the problem is that there is no way to try them and I have to buy it from internet so I have to do a good research before taking a decission.

What would you recommend me?

What are the main differeces (tonally) between the 00018, 00028 and 00028EC?

Is there any reliable shop from where I can buy used acoustics?

Thanks guys

[Plankspanker]

For fingerstyle Blues, I don't think you can go wrong with the 00028EC. I've owned a few and found them to be fairly consistent. I know there are plenty of dead sounding ones in the Guitar Center's acoustic rooms across the country, but those are all neglected guitars for the most part subject to inhuman abuse.

One thing about this model is there are plenty on the used market, bought by EC fans or non-players, who decide they don't really need that much guitar. So there are some deals to be found if you have the patience and stomach for Ebay. Personally I like the dark Sunburst 000-28EC.

The 000-28s have East Indian Rosewood backs and sides, the Clapton model has the '30s vintage shaped V neck; the 000-28 has a "low profile" neck, which has less shoulder and easier for small hands. The Clapton neck is also a tad wider at the nut and wider string spacing at the 12th fret than both the other models. The main difference with the 000-18 is that it has mahoghany back and sides verus the Indian Rosewood. You might want to take a look at the 000-28VS, which is a 12 fret slothead with a wider neck and longer 25.4" scale; these are like finger pianos, very articulate and excellent for Mississippi John Hurt playing style.

Here's a link from the Martin website that might answer all the questions regarding specs on various models; just click on each guitar for the spec details.

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/choosing/model.php

By the way, there's a dealer Maury's Music, who specializes in Martins and is located near the factory. Apparently he knows what to look for and gets some great sounding guitars.

[Rufes]

Thanks a lot :)

How would you say those models differ tonally?

[Plankspanker]

Check out this link for sound clips.

http://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_guitar_video_clips

That 000-28VS sounds nice!

[Rufes]

Check out this link for sound clips.

http://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_guitar_video_clips

That 000-28VS sounds nice!

That's a GREEEEEEAT link

[Plankspanker]

This one sounds better than the 000-28VS IMO, it's the 000-40S MK
"Ragpicker's Dream", that was debuted at the 2006 Summer NAMM.
Only 155 were made; it's the ultimate 12 fret slothead, Italian Alpine Spruce Top, nice full V neck, 1 13/16" nut, Style 42 fretboard appointments, ebony pyramid bridge, fossilized ivory nut, bridge saddle and briodge pins, Historical rosette, and many other unique features only found on this model.

http://images.lilypix.com/displayimage.php?pid=35507&fullsize=1

[bluespckr]

Sheesh! What? No love for a D-35? lol. I don't think you can go wrong with the EC model, either.