what first martin gtr to get?

[Bolero]

any advice on buying a martin acoustic?

new? used?

right now I have an old fender acoustic ply-body thing that's a little above campfire grade....but it's a good beater so it'll save the good gtr from everyday abuse.

anyway, I'm thinking of springing for either a martin or a gibson acoustic, & don't know much about them?

thx!!

[Mike Hansen]

I like the Gibson Advanced Jumbo RI's and also the rosewood
J-45's. It's hard to go wrong with anything coming from Gibson Montana these days, I think.

Some of the best Martins I've played lately have been the D-18V and the HD-28V's.

You really need to play a bunch and see what speaks to you. :2c

[GeetarGoul]

Go to a store with a lot of them. Hopefully not a Guitar Center.

The 16 series Martins are all solid woods and under a 900 bucks new.

[stevedenver]

This is one area where i think it is better not to try not to 'trade up' if you can avoid it, buy the best one you can possibly afford and be done with it, youll have it for years, and it will break in and get better-and as for GC -while not my favorite -you may find some deals-i bought a second 1976 D28 dead mint and a great player (but not yet opened up) for a grand out the door-from time to time there are some very good prices and close outs and even used guitars-the prices for 'vintage' stuff are stupid tho

[brianf]

I almost bought a Martin 000-28 last week but it was gone. (Got an amp instead.)

I don't know what you are looking to spend but the 000-28 (smaller body) or the D28 or D35 are all great sounding and looking.

Go to Martins Web Site. It's sort of interactive. They can answer all your questions.

brianf

[stevedenver]

the first martin to get is the very best one you can afford-i have found that if you buy a good accoustic, you can have it the rest of your life, and use those years to break it in - i also beleive the upper end guitars will hold thier value

my own opinion, and far from the mainstream, is to patiently look for a 'dark years' Martin ala seventies- there are some good ones out there if you look - they are not sought after and may be a very good buy-i bought a dead mint 76 d-28 for under 1000, and it plays great and sounds almost as good as my 68 brazillian...!


the new ones have a truss rod-this may save hundreds in the event you need a neck re-set (not at all uncommon)

[brianf]

Bolero; Did you get a Martin yet? If you are up and walking now go see Brent at The Guitar Shoppe. He always has several in stock. From entry level to the all rosewood back and sides Eric Clapton. He also just got in the Paul Simon model.

brianf

[buster]

Just purchased a new D28 today.
I originally want looking for a mahogany guitar (D18), but was chosen by this lovely D28. Actually, I think I was seduced!

[johnlg]

The entry all wood Martin is the D-15. All mahagony with a rosewood fretboard. Lifetime warantee. The new price is about $670.00 with a case. As you can see from my avatar, I'm partial to them. Mine is about 2 years old and it sounds better every time I play it. The 16 series has mahagony sides and back with a spruce top, the neck is spanish cedar (really nice) and the fretboard is micarta. I have an OM 16 GT for fingerstyle. The micarta fretboard plays fast and looks great. Some players don't like micarta because it is not natural. I often point out that the fretboard, unlike the sides, top, back, bracing, and ribbon has little to do with tone. Speaking of bracing the 16 series has hand scalloped bracing so the tops are very lively and no two sound alike. OM. D. and OOO 16's are running $770.00 from Elderly.

Martins website has a section called "Choosing your Martin" that will help you and another great place is www.elderly.com

Elderly has multiple photos of every Martin guitar in their stock and the in-house photo shoots are like really good e-bay type pictures. You can look at guitars that have not been photographed in a super-duper photo studio with soft lighting.

The prices on their site are not what they actually charge, they post the minimum allowed internet price ( set by Martin). When you call them or request an internet e-mail price it will be lower than the web site price.

No I don't work for them, I bought my OM from them and the service and care that I recieved in shipping and set-up was outstanding.

Don't but a used Martin unless you find an older guitar that sings like a dream. The lifetime warantee that they offer is outstanding. If you find a 2 year old guitar that is discounted 20% - be careful. The warantee is not transferable. The warantee is only granted to the first owner.

Have Fun,
John

[maidenstrat]

i always thought my first one would be a 000 28 but i played a d35 the other day and i loved it. might have to get them both, might have to rob a bank to fund it though.

[bluesjuke]

I like the Gibson Advanced Jumbo RI's and also the rosewood
J-45's. It's hard to go wrong with anything coming from Gibson Montana these days, I think.

Some of the best Martins I've played lately have been the D-18V and the HD-28V's.

You really need to play a bunch and see what speaks to you. :2c


I agree.
Whenever I'm in the GC acoustic room I will play any & every guitar worth playing in there & every time the HD 28V wins out of every brand & model in there.
I never have seen a D 18V in there though.

[sinner]

I really like the new Martins. They look beautiful and play much nicer (easier) than some of the other year new Martins I remember trying out from time to time. And those "new" sunburst's--wow!

But, someone above mentioned the Gibson J45--they have been very consistent too. It depends on the tone and feel you want. Luckily, there are stores that usually have many of each in stock. If you can afford a high end model, it's nice to know you will have a guitar to keep forever, and they do get better and better with age. Play them all and you'll know...

[rockandroller]

COWBOY!!!

http://www.rfcharle.com/Images/ListeInstr./CowboyII.jpg

http://www.12fret.com/new/martinCowboyIII.jpg

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Gryphon/NewInstGallery/Guitar/Martin/CowboyX/CowboyXViews/cowboyx02.jpg

I love those things... they sound GREAT, too!

[sliding-tom]

Now that's a cool one - can you only play cowboy songs on it? :play

[PKK]

You didn't mention price range, but my advice is to get an HD28. I prefer the HD28 over the HD28V, but you should play both. I've owned the RW-J45, and I was dissapointed in the lack of punch. The HD28 blows everything in the dust as far as I'm concerned (no disrespect intended), with the possible exception of the D28. Anyhow, I've had my HD28 11 years and it's a cannon! I love it :)

PK

[stevedenver]

well warranties are great as are truss rods
new guitars are also great

but a used guitar is - well stable-price wise (if you get a good one) and wood wise

typically an older guitar, especially two or more years is likely to have seen most of its problems-not all-but most-especially with neck and finish issues

i would not ship my guitars to martin for repairs-just dont wanna take the time, chance, and not be able to talk to the repairman, etc

my martins are not truss rod versions, and i wouldnt send them even for a pricey re-set-given this, truss rods are great

my point is that warranties are great but they have thier own issues-shipping a prized accoustic is NOT something i want to do unless theres no alternative-the repair costs for a local expert are worth the reduced risk-