sbpark Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 Given this is a Gibson forum, I'm guessing most replies will be biased, so I'll keep that in mind. Here's the deal...I recently acquired a really nice sounding Martin HD-28 in a trade. I definitely got the better end of the deal. The guy actually traded me the HD-28 for a 2013 SG Standard (no joke!). He was in the doghouse with his wife, she wouldn't let him get another guitar, and he really wanted an SG, so he offered me a straight trade for his minty HD-28. It sounds great, and doesn't have a mark on it (neither did my SG). In all honesty it sounds amazing, thing is I play my J45 Standard 90% of the time and just prefer the Gibson sound over most Martins, and also have a Martin 000-15M that I really like. I'm thinking about selling the HD-28 and picking up a used J200. Had one that I recently let go in a giant purge where I sold a bunch of guitars and the only one I regret selling is the J200. But part of me just says keep the HD-28. Even when I had the J200 I still played the J45 the majority of the time, and at least with the Martin I have more variety in sound/tones. And when buddies come over to play it sounds glorious having a J45 alongside the HD-28. They're so different they really compliment each other very well since each of them has their own sound. Obviously I'm a big boy and can make my own decisions, but thought it would be curious to hear what others would do just for fun!
slimt Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 I think if you get the Hd28 set up just right... You won't want to put it down.. the rate Gibsons Going with this new stuff.. you might see the light..
sbpark Posted July 4, 2016 Author Posted July 4, 2016 I think if you get the Hd28 set up just right... You won't want to put it down.. the rate Gibsons Going with this new stuff.. you might see the light.. Nothing wrong with the HD-28 as far as set up. Plays like butter and feels great.
OldCowboy Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 I always dump the Martin in favor of the Gibson, have done so many times, will probably do it again. That said, if you've got an affinity for an M-series Martin, your psyche and mine may differ on the subject of "keepers" in general. Only you can make the call.
BigDawg007 Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 Given this is a Gibson forum, I'm guessing most replies will be biased, so I'll keep that in mind. Here's the deal...I recently acquired a really nice sounding Martin HD-28 in a trade. I definitely got the better end of the deal. The guy actually traded me the HD-28 for a 2013 SG Standard (no joke!). He was in the doghouse with his wife, she wouldn't let him get another guitar, and he really wanted an SG, so he offered me a straight trade for his minty HD-28. It sounds great, and doesn't have a mark on it (neither did my SG). In all honesty it sounds amazing, thing is I play my J45 Standard 90% of the time and just prefer the Gibson sound over most Martins, and also have a Martin 000-15M that I really like. I'm thinking about selling the HD-28 and picking up a used J200. Had one that I recently let go in a giant purge where I sold a bunch of guitars and the only one I regret selling is the J200. But part of me just says keep the HD-28. Even when I had the J200 I still played the J45 the majority of the time, and at least with the Martin I have more variety in sound/tones. And when buddies come over to play it sounds glorious having a J45 alongside the HD-28. They're so different they really compliment each other very well since each of them has their own sound. Obviously I'm a big boy and can make my own decisions, but thought it would be curious to hear what others would do just for fun! I would give the HD-28 more time, experiment with different strings, continue to compare and contrast the J-45 and the HD-28. I did the same thing recently and decided I wanted a rosewood guitar to my collection. Get the know the HD-28. It seems like you are looking for the greener pasture, but you might have on your hands the greenest pasture already. Also try a newer custom bone saddle and pins and nut if it doesn't already have it. The HD-28 is Martins J-45. It's a great guitar. I ve played many but could not pull the strings on one and opted for a D-41 Special. Give it some time, don't rush it. If you just get tired of the HD-28, then put it on Reverb. It's a great place to get good cash securely for a guitar. Best of luck and don't stress it. You will make a great decision I'm sure. Happy 4th SBP!!!
slimt Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 I own both... and am very happy with both.. but they are different ...
MissouriPicker Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 I'm assuming you're talking about a Gibson SG electric guitar. If so, I'd make the trade. For me it's a "no brainer" because I'm not into electrics. The HD28s are great guitars. Mine is about 16 years old and a great example of a Martin dread. In all sincerity though, it only gets played once every 5-6 weeks because my Gibson acoustics are what I grab first for a gig and usually for at home.
kelly campbell Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 Wow tough call, I tend to agree with hanging on to the Martin for a little while. I love Gibson'sand I generally prefer them over Martins but I would make sure you want the J200 more than the Martin. I have the Martin 00015M as well great little guitar.
EuroAussie Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 If it was ME i would not hesitate selling the HD-28 as I dont like that model at all. I find it dark, boomy, muddy and unbalanced. And would not hesitate getting the J-200 as I find it much more versatile and I think it is the worlds greatest strumming guitar, even more than the Hummingbird. The 000-15 is a superb Martin, but more balanced, with greater clarity, note seperation and just overall more fulfilling tone ..... for ME. Your opinions of course may be different, but youre a big boy already as you know.
sbpark Posted July 4, 2016 Author Posted July 4, 2016 If it was ME i would not hesitate selling the HD-28 as I dont like that model at all. I find it dark, boomy, muddy and unbalanced. And would not hesitate getting the J-200 as I find it much more versatile and I think it is the worlds greatest strumming guitar, even more than the Hummingbird. The 000-15 is a superb Martin, but more balanced, with greater clarity, note seperation and just overall more fulfilling tone ..... for ME. Your opinions of course may be different, but youre a big boy already as you know. I guess we all hear things differently. I've also owned a D-28 in the past and find it interesting how everyone calls the HD-28 "boomy". The D-28 I had in the past, and the HD-28 I currently have are very full and rich sounding in the bottom end, but I'd never call them boomy or muddy. Both were/are very articulate guitars. This particular HD-28 is just incredibly even sounding across the board, unlike my J45 which is an absolute monster in the low end with tons of growl and midrange punch, making little note fills and embellishments pop out, but not so much with the HD-28. If I was a Bluegrass player I'd prefer the D-28 over the HD-28. The D-28 loved to be pushed and hit really hard, and the harder you hit it, the louder it got, and it sounded the same when played soft or hard, only louder! The HD-28 seems like more of a strummer to me, while the J45 is in my opinion the most versatile, but it's only drawback is it starts to sort of compress/implode on itself if you hit it too hard. The 000-15M is a more mellow sound. Again, I wouldn't say it has more clarity than the HD-28, but it does have a more focused low end in comparison, but it's also a smaller-bodied guitar.
BluesKing777 Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 The SG Standard buyer didn't wear schoolboy shorts? If you haven't bonded with the Martin, like your J45 more, previously sold a J200, answer is very straight forward - buy the new 2016 Hummingbird Vintage! BluesKing777.
scriv58 Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 i have owned 4 martins, a ceo-7, a 000-40 peter rowan, a 000-15s but kept only my hj-38 stefan grossman. Good to have a martin in the stable. Love love that that deep bass note in dropped- D tuning
Mickthemiller Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 I wish I had problems like you got. Seriously, keep the Martin, it's money in the bank.
jdd707 Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 Keep the D28 .... enjoy it AND your Gibson ........... at some point, a J200 will fall into your life if that's what you want.
sbpark Posted July 4, 2016 Author Posted July 4, 2016 I wish I had problems like you got. Seriously, keep the Martin, it's money in the bank. Yeah, you're right. Most likely I'll just keep it. Seriously, first world problems, right? And I'm very fortunate to own both a J45 and HD-28. Two classics. Maybe I'll string up the HD-28 with mediums so I have something that's a cannon when I have the urge!
kidblast Posted July 5, 2016 Posted July 5, 2016 I think.... this guy is eventually gonna come back down to earth and realize what's happened here. is he a friend of yours?
sbpark Posted July 5, 2016 Author Posted July 5, 2016 I think.... this guy is eventually gonna come back down to earth and realize what's happened here. is he a friend of yours? Nope, not a friend of mine, and a that's too bad for him. I was very open about it being a lopsided deal in my favor and asked him a couple times if he was sure. He's an adult and able to make his own decisions. I've made some dumb gear sales/trades in my day as well. live and learn. I recently sold quite a few guitars some vintage, some newer, but all really nice guitars and he got a hold of me offering the trade.
JuanCarlosVejar Posted July 5, 2016 Posted July 5, 2016 Only get the J 200 if you like maple (bright) sound. A mahogany guitar is hard to beat ...If you don't enjoy the quicker decay of maple your J 200 will be a closet queen. JC
kidblast Posted July 5, 2016 Posted July 5, 2016 Nope, not a friend of mine, and a that's too bad for him. I was very open about it being a lopsided deal in my favor and asked him a couple times if he was sure. He's an adult and able to make his own decisions. I've made some dumb gear sales/trades in my day as well. live and learn. I recently sold quite a few guitars some vintage, some newer, but all really nice guitars and he got a hold of me offering the trade. yep, Agree w/you. just wondering if there were strings (no pun intended) to worry about.
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