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Went over to the dark side


ksdaddy

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Not a huge Martin fan. I've only owned 2; a 1946 00-18 that I swapped for my Les Paul, and my father's 1981 M-38. In 2005 I had the neck reset and a new board with snowflake inlays added. Sounds like the gates of heaven opening up but I don't care for the feel. Never did, probably never will.

 

On a lark I bought a 1994 HD-28. Strings were from 1994 I think. Nice guitar, not sure if it's a keeper. It plays "good", not "Gibson good" but better than most Martins I've played. It's deep and transparent if that makes sense.

 

The honeymoon may wear off. Not sure.

 

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Im still looking for a Martin

 

tried a few there the other week before I got my J35...none grabbed me..tho a 10 yr old sounded really nice..but it just didnt suit my voice ! and was 500 quid more than i wanted to spend..

 

yopu must have got a good del KS :).. the rossette looks a lil over 'complicated' ? to my liking tho..

 

Im sure there a M out there for me somewhere ...

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I've owned Gibsons, Taylors, Larrivees, a Lowden, a Thompson....I've borrowed and extensively played Bourgeois, Greven, Collings....

 

Never owned a Martin. I've played a couple I really liked but they were both smaller bodies. Nothing substantive against them. I love the sound of a good D-18. But a standard dread is a big, boxy, unattractive thing to me. The Gibson jumbo (slope) is much more graceful. Even the Hummingbird, with it's wider waist, is somehow more elegant and balanced. Oh and I love a good burst and Martin doesn't have a clue what one is supposed to look like. Never have.

 

Different strokes and all that.

 

P

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It does its job well but so do both of my J200s that sit in their cases. Meanwhile my '64 Southern Jumbo gets played and played and played. Sometimes a favorite cant be judged by its volume or frequency response.

 

 

ksdaddy - I hope you enjoy your new Martin! Sure looks like a find.

Had to stress your post above to smile and nod at the last sentence, re: 64 SJ - " Sometime a favorite can't be judged by its' volume or frequency response".:rolleyes: Words of wisdom!

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Yep. I was at the local music store today and there was a mid 60s J-50ADJ being repaired. Old, dirty, funky. It was hawt.

 

There's also a 2001 SWD Deluxe on consignment for $1795. Not a steal but it sure was pretty.

 

I just love guitars is all.

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It does its job well but so do both of my J200s that sit in their cases. Meanwhile my '64 Southern Jumbo gets played and played and played. Sometimes a favorite cant be judged by its volume or frequency response.
It's about what tickles the ear, isnt it? Or what sounds good behind your singing. My 2c, the 28 would be closer to what the SJ does for you than the 200s. Right or wrong?
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On a lark I bought a 1994 HD-28. Strings were from 1994 I think. Nice guitar, not sure if it's a keeper. It plays "good", not "Gibson good" but better than most Martins I've played. It's deep and transparent if that makes sense.

 

 

That must say quite a lot - HD-28's are brilliant guitars. Right there in the gab between the 28 and the HD-28V.

If I hadn't owned the latter and my dear D-35, a HD-28 would be on the list.

 

How I'd like to hear the '64 SJ. They can sound so extremely good.

Just put the original ceramic saddle back in my '63 and touched after sundown = Stellar !

So mellow and warm, still crisp.

Of course otherworldly beautiful.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well, the HD went away last weekend. It was a GOOD guitar. I mean it was a really good guitar. However I get antsy when I have a bunch of money tied up into something and don't foresee using it on a regular basis. It about drives me nuts I have 2 J200s sitting in their cases but that's another story.

 

I sold it locally at a princely profit of $50. Celebrated by buying a set of Elixir Nanowebs for the '64 SJ (not installed yet).

 

I was upset though, that I had sold the 2008 SG I restored from junk to help pay for the Martin. I didn't HAVE to financially, I just felt guilty. Now the SG is gone....

 

...so last night I bought another one.

 

Or I say I did. It's a 2000 SG Special that looks super clean, $400 BIN. I pulled the trigger and "paid" for it but the seller is an ebay newbie and apparently hasn't claimed the payment yet. Hard to say what's going on there. I emailed the seller and have't heard back from him. I'm getting skittish. I know Paypal holds funds in limbo with new sellers until so many days go by and/or delivery is confirmed.

 

Dunno. Sweet deal, I just hope him being a new seller doesn't queer it up.

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I've owned Gibsons, Taylors, Larrivees, a Lowden, a Thompson....I've borrowed and extensively played Bourgeois, Greven, Collings....

 

Never owned a Martin. I've played a couple I really liked but they were both smaller bodies. Nothing substantive against them. I love the sound of a good D-18. But a standard dread is a big, boxy, unattractive thing to me. The Gibson jumbo (slope) is much more graceful. Even the Hummingbird, with it's wider waist, is somehow more elegant and balanced. Oh and I love a good burst and Martin doesn't have a clue what one is supposed to look like. Never have.

 

Different strokes and all that.

 

P

 

I have one Martin - the Jorma Sig M size (0000) that I custom ordered in sunburst.

 

I was very nervous about the burst, since I hold the same opinion of Martin bursts as you do - but I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the case.

 

This body size is great as well - looks good & still has an easy-to-play depth.

 

http://music.jeffersoncampervan.com/JormaM30.html

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I know they're all different but when I had the 08 Faded I also briefly owned an 04 Standard. The Faded had a beefier neck but was also lighter and almost shook when you hit a chord. I'm hoping that's a Faded attribute. Barely any finish and balls to the wall rock and roll.

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