HNS Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 After many months of searching for an all-rounder and getting help from many helpful members on the board I finally ended up buying a Martin D-21 Special from Ted @ LA guitar Sales. So please allow me to describe the process I went through, in the hope that it may help someone out there going through the same or similar process. I originally posted this post on the UMGF, but thought I'd post an edited version of it here as well. I hope it's not too boring. Here's the original post for those who could be interested http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/topic/146802/master/1/?page=1 I currently own, a Gibson Songwriter Deluxe, a Larrivée L-05 (Honduran Mahogany), a Breedlove, and I recently owned a Taylor GS-8 and many others over the years. Reasons for buying the Martin D-21 Special What tilted my decision towards the D-21 Special was the nut width and the neck profile. I prefer the 1’ ¾” nut because I have large hands. This narrowed my search down to the Marquis, the D-21 Special, or one of the elderly custom models, which was beyond my budget. I also find the low profile neck (and Larrivée neck profiles) quite comfortable compared to the V-neck, or even the SWD baseball bat of a neck. Issues I had with the Martin D-21 Special Although I’m neither a purist nor a traditionalist, I had two issues with the D-21 Special, the lighter Spanish cedar neck and the pyramid bridge. If I compare the D-21 special with my SWD with the Honduran mahogany neck, the SWD is definitely heavier and feels more solid. How that would affect tone, I have no idea, but I would have preferred a mahogany or even a khaya neck on this guitar, given that other manufacturers currently provide it without a premium. In the end, it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/topic/80700 http://acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=286692 The second issue I had was the pyramid bridge, and whether it would withstand the tension of medium strings or not, issues with bellying behind the bridge etc. http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/topic/141438/D21-Pyramid-bridge-Problems Comparison with the Gibson Songwriter Deluxe I can’t really compare the two objectively because my SWD, which is strung with Elixir lights, is 8 years old and has opened up quite a bit while the D-21 is new with mediums on it (they might need changing as well). Given the circumstances, the SWD has less headroom (maybe due to the light gauge strings), but has this beautiful ringing piano like sustain when flat-picked moderately (the effect of the denser neck??) The SWD is more balanced less bassy than the D-21 Special and has a lot more bling. Honestly, It can stand its own against the Martin in its own way, but the latter has the unmistakably Martin tone and has yet to open up over the years.The Martin’s neck profile- to me – is major improvement to the SWD fat neck, hands down.And finally, I think that the Martin responds much better to cross picking and strumming than the SWD, but the latter sounds better fingerpicked (I fingerpick with flesh not nails). Honestly, I like both guitars, but to those who say that Martin has better quality than Gibson, I can easily say that the Bozeman is just as good as Nazareth, at least when it comes to my two particular guitars. In a nutshell, I'm not letting go of my SWD. Although I like the Martin neck profile more, the fact that the Gibson neck is Mahogany and gloss finished gives it a classier look no doubt. I wish I could have strung the SWD with mediums though. Both guitars are different and sweet in their own right, which is better comes down to opinion. Cheers everybody and have a nice weekend Hish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Congratulations! I have a D21Special too. It is a gorgeous guitar. You will love yours :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Big hands....big nuts....makes sense to me....congrats on the new guitar!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Way to go, Hish! I'm betting your D21 opens up real nice in the next several months. I haven't played that model, but I looked at some pictures on line in regard to your post. Nice! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HNS Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 Thanks folks, I think I have a winner duo .... thanks for your comments .... here are some pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Thats's a lovely guitar. I think jannusguy has one as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichG Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Very nice guitar. I never played one, but I was GASing after a used one Elderly had, but, alas it got sold before I got off my A$$. forced me to take a ride to Mandolin Bros. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 That's a real beauty. Love the pyramid bridge, and Gibson please note that Martin seems to be able to consistently mount a pickguard CORRECTLY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HNS Posted April 6, 2013 Author Share Posted April 6, 2013 Thanks folks for the replies, I really hope to enjoy it. Bobuz, I had no problem with my SWD, what seems to be the problem ? RichG. You'll find an occasional one or two on the UMGF buy and sell forum. A few vendors have used ones here and there. I really don't know why they were discontinued if they were still in demand. Cheers H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HNS Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 I received this from Martin Guitars regarding D-21 Special "Thank you for contacting Martin Guitar and for your complement. Your D21 is a great guitar. It was produced from 2007 to 2012 with a total of 604 made, including lefty’s. Your model is not listed in the 2013 price guide. We discontinue models typically because of marketing demand, a new model is released to replace it,… Your pyramid bridge should not give you any issues compared to a regular belly bridge. They are just cosmetically different" Just thought it may interest those 604 owners of D-21 Specials ! Cheers HNS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Thats a nice looking Martin, I like the darker shade on the top wood. However, do you really feel the SWD has a baseball bat neck ? I found the neck very cumfy on mine (sold now), makes me wonder what you would think if you tried real baseball neck on the 40's Gibbys .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HNS Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 Thanks EuroAussie.... I always wanted to ask you why you sold your SWD, you posts seemed that you liked it quite a bit ... True that the SWD neck is not as fat as 40's Gibby's but in comparison to my favorite Larrivee neck, its big and its fat, but not uncomfortable, it's just different. Cheers H Thats a nice looking Martin, I like the darker shade on the top wood. However, do you really feel the SWD has a baseball bat neck ? I found the neck very cumfy on mine (sold now), makes me wonder what you would think if you tried real baseball neck on the 40's Gibbys .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannusguy2 Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Thats's a lovely guitar. I think jannusguy has one as well. MIne is a CS21-11. That D-21 Special is quite nice. Classic Martin styling. Love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HNS Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 MIne is a CS21-11. That D-21 Special is quite nice. Classic Martin styling. Love it. That's a beauty .... Enjoy ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotomsdos Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Congrats on D-21 Special Hish! Need your help,,,if you will.. http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/topic/185192?page=1#.WPI9FdR94sZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HNS Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 Congrats on D-21 Special Hish! Need your help,,,if you will.. http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/topic/185192?page=1#.WPI9FdR94sZ Sure gotomsdos.. I already replied! good luck in your search! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Goto - Finish checking, as seen on that Martin & in general, is not a structural concern. Best of luck with your quest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaplesOfWrath Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 I was bidding on one of these D-21 specials in near mint condition on ebay and lost out at $1600. Would have liked to try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotomsdos Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 I was bidding on one of these D-21 specials in near mint condition on ebay and lost out at $1600. Would have liked to try it. Oh, Good, man, Maples.. You mean that for $2499? Guess it'll go up to as least $2000 which will be my lowest bidding sum. I can add it to $2100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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