Lower-end Martins

[aahzz]

Hmmm...I'm considering getting a new toy, and need to keep it in the lower price range if I do. What's the consensus on the lower-end type Martins, particularly the D-15, DM, and DR? Or, if I get a bunch of unexpected cash, the D16RGT?

[GeetarGoul]

I like em. You should be able to get one used for around $400- 500? ANd maybe a new one for $575?

[hank]

Excellent choices. I had an '01 Martin 000-15S, 12 fret neck, slotted peghead for six months or so. I sold it to buy a Les Paul. I'd love to have it back. hank

[Gazza]

D-15, I have almost bought one several times, they are good guitars.

[pickdropper]

I have a cheap Martin D-1R road whore of an acoustic that I just love.

I bought it at a pawn shop for about $400. It's case had grateful dead stickers on the outside and the inside smelled like a mixture of pot and my grandmother's basement.

Besides that, this Old Yeller of a guitar had a bridge that looked like it had been reattached with fudge.

After having it rebridged and setup, this is possibly my favorite guitar. It isn't as pedigreed as the better Martins, but it sounds and plays great to me.

[Nelson F]

Martins what can you say! they don't even make a Bad Cheap Guitar!

[solimar]

I'm in the same boat. I want to buy a guitar for under $900 and I've looked at DM's and a D16. I believe that the d16 is all solid wood. opinions?

Are there any non-Martin's I should look at?

Thanks in advance.

[solimar]

I apologize in advance for asking a question in someone else's thread :);)

[brianf]

Originally posted by Nelson F
Martins what can you say! they don't even make a Bad Cheap Guitar!

How true!!!

brianf:brianf

[Heritage 80]

Originally posted by solimar
I'm in the same boat. I want to buy a guitar for under $900 and I've looked at DM's and a D16. I believe that the d16 is all solid wood. opinions?

Are there any non-Martin's I should look at?

Thanks in advance.
I love my D16A. Loud and balanced, and plays great. Mine's solid ash sides and back with a Sitka spruce top. Can't beat it for the $$$ IMO.

[skeamo]

i did a lot of acoustic shopping before settling on a martin DR. it beat out the J-45 and comparably priced taylors IMO. it's very well suited for lead and fingerpicking but is somewhat lacking when strumming chords. it has practically no finish so it's fragile, not a campfire guitar. the odd thing is, i never see the DR advertised anymore, almost like they no longer exist.

[fantom1]

I've got an 000-15S and if nobody told me it was a "lower end" Martin I wouldnt believe them. It sounds very very good regardless of price.

[hank]

fantom1: Great news! You'll love it. I missed mine so much, I bought a mint used one a few months ago. Then, my son who's now 26, absconded with it. It's a secret, but I bought it for him anyway.

Enjoy it! hank:D

[fantom1]

Hank you're losing your mind! :lol

http://www.cafewah.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1671

[hank]

What mind? :lol

[Nelson F]

Originally posted by hank
Excellent choices. I had an '01 Martin 000-15S, 12 fret neck, slotted peghead for six months or so. I sold it to buy a Les Paul. I'd love to have it back. hank

Hank what R U of all people doing with a Les Paul ????

[hank]

Nelson, as in all things musical, I am a poser! :lol :bh

[Nelson F]

Originally posted by hank
Nelson, as in all things musical, I am a poser! :lol :bh

:brianf :brianf :shred :play :play :band2 :band2 :shred :davep

[hank]

I wish I had your talents Mr. Nelson! :cool: :D

[Nelson F]

Thanks Hanks ~*~:eek:

[johnlg]

The 15's are all solid wood, the mahagony looks, sounds and smells fantastic. As you can see from my avatar, I'm partial to the 15. The mahagony has a very deep tone and blooms rapidly. You can still find them on line for $600.00. I had bone work and a K&K pure western installed in my D-15 for an additional $180.00 - great recording and all around dread.

The 16's have scalloped bracing and the tops are very lively - the fret boards are Micarta which drives some purists nuts but I think that micarta looks and plays very well. A D 16 GT or an OM 16 GT will cost $767.00 from Elderly. If you play figerstyle and want a great overall guitar for strumming, fingerstyle etc. The OM 16 GT's have an 1 3/4 nut and a 000 body - very versitile guitar, I ordered mine from www.elderly.com My OM arrived polished and restrung - it was perfect.

The x's have solid tops and laminated sides and back - $460.00 no case. Great sound and action. If you live in a cold area, they are great guitars for travel in cold weather. I live in Wisconsin and it is 4 degrees F out tonight. I bought the X box for travel and winter trunking. It's indestructable.

There's 3 great choices for less than $1000.00 each. I am partial because I have one of each of the above but depending on your needs, you won't go wrong with any of these.

John

[hank]

Good points John.

My son just acquired my 000-15S. He is pumped! Sadly, I'll have to find another little 000 12 fretter to replace it. :)

[johnlg]

Hank,
If you could live with a 14 fret OOO-15, there is a brand new one for sale in Milwaukee for $547.00 with case. A GC just opened in a west Milw. suburb and they have a perfect -PERFECT OOO-15 - in the acoustic cabin for $547.00 with a big sign that says "lowest price in the nation". I've played it twice and it's perfect. I don't know if they have a bunch or just the one. No one is touching it -perhaps the sign scares people, I don't know. The strings are still squeeky clean and shiny. It smells great too.

I don't work there, I'm not even a GC fan (I've bought guitars from MF on-line but never from GC).

12 fretters are so comfortable to play and the slotted head stocks are really special. Oh well, had to tell someone about the beer town deal on the standard 14 fret OOO-15.

[Lee510]

Hi guys, I'm a newbie so bear with me...

Can someone explain to me how "laminated mahagony" on the DM and DM-12 differs from regular mahogany on all other models?

thanks!
Lee

[bluesjuke]

I have an HD 28V but I love (& want) a D 15.
Everytime I get my hands on one I can't put it down. These things Boom!
Nice size & good projection too. The price is right.
I have read a lot of reviews on these by those that have several high end Martins & quite a few of them said that is their favorite.
Don't believe it would be their Desert Island acoustic but for all around everyday not worrying about every scratch they are great.

Keep in mind if looking for a D 15 that they come in Mahoghany or Saple. Both are fine but if you prefer the mahoghany as I do check first.

[sliding-tom]

Anybody have encountered or has a "Shenandoah" model?
I've always been desperate for a 000 - size Martin, but couldn't afford one when I happened upon this line in the 80s. Being amazed at the price (rosewood body, headstock inlay plus Martin Thinline pup), I later found out that these were made from prefabricated parts made in Japan and then built into guitars at the Martin factory. The parts had been prepared for a poly finish but since Martin only used nitro they had to put some extra work into finish preparation :bang . I think, the sides and back are laminated, but anyway, I really dig mine - great lil' blues guitar! :wail

[bluesjuke]

Martins what can you say! they don't even make a Bad Cheap Guitar!


Played one of the Martin low end 12 strings a week ago with the laminated neck.
There were two high end Martin 12 strings in the room also, one used, & one new.
The cheapest of the three sounded best & was only $549..
Would have brought it home if not for the wife factor.

[bluesjuke]

I had bone work and a K&K pure western installed in my D-15 for an additional $180.00 - great recording and all around dread.
John


I just posted in the HD 28V thread about the K&K I put in my well.....HD 28.
My next Martin will be a D 15 & I was thinking of going the same route again as I don't think you can beat the K&K.

Glad to hear that it worked well in the D 15 as well.

[sliding-tom]

"The wife factor" :rofl I like that!