HNS Posted May 17, 2014 Posted May 17, 2014 Anyone else, besides myself, who A/b-ed these two guitars ? The Gibson SWD (Mahogany neck) vs Martin D-21 Special (Spanish Cedar Neck). I own them both I might have to choose to keep only one and may need some input from people here, and need some help on what to do.... what the resale vale is, what would be a keeper in the long run. 1-My 2005 SWD opened up quite a bit, it's more midrangey, bassy and darker than the still tight Martin D-21 Special. The SWD was made before they split them into Studio, Standard and Custom. It also has the mini hummingbird pickguard. It' great as a singer's accompaniment ! .. (I don't sing). 2-The Martin has more of a scooped midrange and is louder but still needs to open up, it might not be taking lights that good either. The SWD takes mediums just fine. It also has the Spanish cedar neck making it lighter. It's a discontinued model, only 604 were made. Both are comfy to play. I just can't make up my mind Daang ! EDIT: FWIW Both guitars are very different. I compared them using Martin SP 7100 PB Lifespan light strings changed at the same time. The Martin has a very wide tonal palette, more bass and trebles and but is slightly mid-scooped. The Gibson is exactly the opposite, it's tighter, it's got pronounced and elevated mids, with good bass (less than the Martin) and compressed highs. The Gibson has a lot of overtones, making it lush and excellent for vocal accompaniment and rhythm (singer songwriter ? ), but at the same time when playing single notes with chords, the single notes can get subdued in the lusciousness/Overtones. The Martin shines when playing single notes with chords. They ring out loud. It's also louder and more chimey than the Gibson. The Gibson. which is older than the Martin, is more (volume) responsive to the touch, when playing finger-style.
Matters Posted May 18, 2014 Posted May 18, 2014 My vote is for the Martin. Those specials are absolutely fantastic guitars. I love the clarity they have.
Allie Posted May 18, 2014 Posted May 18, 2014 Anyone else, besides myself, who A/b-ed these two guitars ? The Gibson SWD (Mahogany neck) vs Martin D-21 Special (Spanish Cedar Neck). I own them both I might have to choose to keep only one and may need some input from people here, and need some help on what to do.... what the resale vale is, what would be a keeper in the long run. 1-My 2005 SWD opened up quite a bit, it's more midrangey, bassy and darker than the still tight Martin D-21 Special. The SWD was made before they split them into Studio, Standard and Custom. It also has the mini hummingbird pickguard. It' great as a singer's accompaniment ! .. (I don't sing). 2-The Martin has more of a scooped midrange and is louder but still needs to open up, it might not be taking lights that good either. The SWD takes mediums just fine. It also has the Spanish cedar neck making it lighter. It's a discontinued model, only 604 were made. Both are comfy to play. I just can't make up my mind Daang ! I say sell on of the cars or maybe the summer cottage on the lake or even.........the first born, anything but sell one of those two precious instruments......I mean really! what are you thinking?
HNS Posted May 18, 2014 Author Posted May 18, 2014 I say sell on of the cars or maybe the summer cottage on the lake or even.........the first born, anything but sell one of those two precious instruments......I mean really! what are you thinking? .... sometimes you gotta choose ! often it's a bad deal !
HNS Posted May 18, 2014 Author Posted May 18, 2014 The J-45 TV is a good choice, have you a/b-ed one to a D-18GE ? Cheers
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