Sevendaymelee

All of this is true, but if one wants vintage, and the sound of vintage, the advantages mentioned are almost valueless to the buyer.

On reverb, there's a 70's Jumbo in "good" condition with the original pick guard. Price is $2,295, with an make-offer option. So $2,500 appears a bit pricy.

Interesting. I wonder why? To compete with Martin at the time?

I'm not an expert either, but I own a Southern Jumbo, and this one doesn't have the slope of mine. Advanced Jumbo, perhaps? In a natural top?

Sounds good, but it doesn't sound anything like an old Gibson, which is what it's attempting to replicate.. And for that money, you could literally get a great old guitar.

They offer you those refunds because they're just going to take back the guitar, polish it up and then sell it as new to another guy who wants it. You get what you pay for, and any place that takes back anything (and Guitar Center just about does), no questions asked... it's probably a sign there's something fishy going on. But hey, it's your life. Do as you please. I'm not a Sweetwater guy. I'm just anti Guitar Center because they're the most sterile, corporate, shady, underhanded dealer in the country. It's anywhere but there for me. Even if I have to pay more.

There's a reason Guitar Center has the reputation it has. I believe you and your experiences, but it's pretty well known stuff.

Why not buy the guitars from Sweetwater and then have them set up some place else? No need to cut your nose off to spite your face. Sweetwater is a better dealer than Guitar Center.

I like Martins and Gibsons, but I think I prefer the Gibson headstock to the Martin.

D-18.

I've broken out the 50cc scooter. I fill 'er up on one gallon of gas and get around 100 miles out of it lol.

Really? I thought it was simple typo, and you were trying to say, "If it were me." lol But that's far more interesting!

🤔

I will keep buying vinyl records, tapes and CDs until they do not exist anymore. And then, when they don't, I'll quit listening to music all together outside of terrestrial radio. Streaming is souless for me. It's like getting to smell a really good meal, but never getting to eat it. No thanks!

I've had the same silver Kyser capo since the 90's and it has never failed me (I use it on all my expensive guitars, including nitro Gibsons), nor let me down. Inexpensive and lasts forever. Also super easy to use. But as the above poster mentioned, whatever capo you use, please... don't clip it on the guitar. I don't know when that started becoming a trend, but don't. Take the extra two seconds to reach into your case and get it when you need it. Or set it nearby your stand. Clipping it on your guitar will ruin the finish.

I think the winter months speed it up, but ultimately, it's probably how they (A-ddario) all come in one resealable pouch instead of their own pouches. I went to great lengths to keep mine from drying out. I kept the bag sealed, put it inside another ziplock baggie, then put that baggie inside a sealed tuperware container lol. They still ended up drying out in a month after putting them in my guitars... which was significantly faster than when I used the ones which came in their own pouches (those lasted between four and six months long). So I really don't know what's going on. Maybe I got a bad batch? Whatever the case, I'm not spending 60 dollars on a 12 pack anymore. I'm either going to spend more on the individual pouches, or going back to the sponge method. I haven't made the decision yet, but I'll probably end up getting the individual packs because once you get use to humidipaks, it's tough going back to wetting a sponge every three days lol.

I don't have too much experience with those, but when I ordered a twelve-pack, only the first four (I used them on two guitars and only in the sound holes) worked as they should. The next round dried out a lot faster, and it was a continuous thing from there to the point where at the end, they were drying out in a month despite putting them in sealed baggies when playing etc. So maybe the problem is in the packaging. When you buy your standard pack and use it, they are completely air-tight and sealed properly. When you buy a twelve-pack, they all just come in a reusable bag, which obviously isn't nearly as good.

Oh wow, that's pretty cool! I didn't even know those things existed. I might have to try one out.

Glad you like the guitar. I have a 2020 which I love as well. Quick question though. What is that thing on the high-e side of the sound hole?

Congratulations... it's much deserved, especially considering the hill needed to be climbed in order to get there! On a side note, I would like to thank you, and all the rest that contributed their own retirement stories. It made me feel really, really young (which is rare these days)! 😂😂😂

Haven't had the pleasure of trying one of those myself. I've got a 00 in the house, and I've played a 000, but no 0000s. Always wondered where they sit on the EQ scale.

Technically peaking, only a Martin can be a dreadnaught since that's the name they came up with for that size of guitar. But as to what people consider to be one, that's never going to settled. I personally consider the J-45 a dreadnaught, but other's may not. It's certainly not a 000 though, I know that. Way more bass than one of those (usually).

Trash? I believe you, but I can't say I've ever heard anyone call Martin guitars trash. Even the people who don't like them, I haven't seen them go to that extreme lol.

Well, it's up to the owner. If he/she wants it refinished, it's fine by me. But I would never do it.

I either use pick, or I don't. Can't do both at the same time. I suppose I could, had I learned to do it back in the day, but I don't have the desire to learn it now. And even if I did, it would be a lot harder to learn since I'm not a teen anymore.