Next Acoustic - Help wanted

[JuanCH]

Hi all, I am in the process of deciding my next acoustic. Let me tell you some details, I already have a Dove and a J-200, of course both Maple. I was thinking of mahogany

or rosewood. I know there are differences in tone. I do some strumming and some fingerpickin though I am improving my technique.

I play mostly Tom Petty / Dylan / Byrds / Beatles. I am between these two models: Hummingbird --- Martin HD 28. I like the look and the woody sound of the bird, but the idea

of a Martin also attracts me though they are plain looking. Can you strum and sing along with the Martin? Your views will be much appreciated.

 

PD Where I live there are no music shops to try out those instruments. Unfortunately I will buy them on the web.

 

Thanks for your time.

[Buc McMaster]

Welcome to the asylum!

 

The two instruments you have now are both long scale and maple, as you observed. The Hummingbird is short scale, the HD28 long.........the difference in feel between the two is surprising. You might consider the Gibson for that reason alone: having something completely different. But then again it may turn out that you don't like short scale. Mahogany v. rosewood? Another subjective choice. Relatively speaking, rosewood is dark, with more overtones than mahogany or maple........and mahogany has stronger mids than either, with a bold, in-your-face presence. Yes, you can "strum and sing along" with a Martin, but the Hummingbird was designed specifically to do that very thing.......a singer's guitar. Without a shop nearby to go hands on you're pretty much going to have to roll the dice with your selection. I'd recommend buying from a place that has a good return policy so you have an opportunity to correct what you might perceive to be an error with your first choice. G'luck!

[blindboygrunt]

I'm extremely fond of my hd35 but I certainly wouldn't recommend one to a 'heavy' strummer .

For gentle fingerpicking it's fantastic.

I'd have similar taste to you .

 

Check out bucs recent threads . Makes the hummingbird sing with a pick .

 

I'd go with a Martin if I was you seeing as you have a couple of Gibsons and the difference in sound between the two can be inspiring to me

[vacamartin]

JuanCH............howdy, looks as though you already have a couple of fine Gibsons! I agree with BM's advice...check those return policies..... Going from the clarity of Maple to hog or Rose is a big change. I'll offer my personal favorite....Bubinga It's the best of both hog and Rose all in one tone-wood. Have fun with which-ever you go with!

[sbpark]

I'd say go with an HD-28. I recently picked one up as a result of a trade and think it's a great compliment to any Gibson since they sound so different. I was recently contemplating ditching the HD-28 and getting a J200, but came to my senses and kept the HD-28. Not that the J200 is a bad guitar, because it's not and it's one of the guitars I regret selling in the past, but I can cover more ground with a J45 and an HD-28 compared to a J45 and a J200. I never really give any thought to scale length, etc. If it sounds good and it's what my ear wants to hear then it's a no-brainer, but I don't get caught up in specs or let them be my deciding factor. FWIW, the J45 get's played 85%-90% of the time.

 

I will say though if you're a heavy strummer the HD-28 may not be my first choice, and instead I'd suggest checking out some D-28's. This is a heavy strummer's dream! I've owned a D-28 and loved it for heavy strumming. They sound exactly the same played soft or hit super hard, and the only difference is the volume, and will take whatever you can throw at them! Only thing I didn't like was, at least the one I had kind of demanded medium gauge strings to sound it's best, and lights just sounded awful on it. In comparison my HD-28 is super sweet and articulate with lights, is a fingerpicker's dream, and a good strummer, but wouldn't be my first choice for a heavy strummer, which it reminds me off when I get a bit out of control since I can have a heavy right hand at times. But it is still an awesome all-arounder in my opinion. The D-28 is burly, stout and very in your face sound, while the HD-28 is a bit more airy and open sounding. You're best bet is to get out there and play some in person.

[blindboygrunt]

I'd say go with an HD-28. I recently picked one up and think it's a great compliment to any Gibson since they sounds so different. I was recently contemplating ditching the HD-28 and getting a J200, but came to my senses and kept the HD-28. Not that the J200 is a bad guitar, because it's not and it's one of the guitars I regret selling in the past, but I can cover more ground with a J45 and an HD-28 compared to a J45 and a J200.

 

'Cover more ground'

That's a much better way of wording what I was trying to get at

[62burst]

Buc's reply really sums up what going to the short scale mahogany would offer in terms of changing what you're hearing. And if you're looking to get more into fingerpicking, that shorter scale length would give a little help there, too. But also at play; the Hummingbird would offer a different mindset from the Martin. In terms of appearance, the Hummingbird is more comfort food, ornate, Saturday Night, and decadent, even, all rolled up in one, whereas the Martin has all the form-follows-function simplicity of Shaker furniture. Maybe that would be a nice change from your Dove and J-200. But as mentioned, the one that might offer more change in tone might be the 'Bird.

[OldCowboy]

Welcome! All the above information is very good. I, too, wish you were able to try some of the options in person, but since it's not possible I'll throw my notions your way. As you probably already know, Hummingbirds are currently wildly popular. The J-45 has been regarded as a mahogany standard pretty much since it was first introduced. The D-28 holds an iconic status similar to the J-45, but for rosewood instead of mahogany. The HD-28 is generally less assertive than the standard model and responds well to a less assertive playing style. Some people consider it to be more versatile than the D-28. It has been pointed out, here in the forum, that I don't appreciate the 'subtle nuances' of the HD-28, and that wasn't a criticism - simply an accurate assessment. Would I own one? Sure. Would I go out of my way to buy one? No. Question is, how do you want to sound as you continue to develop and refine your style and approach to playing? The right choice of guitar may well help you to get there with considerably more facility. For flatpicking, I'd favor a D-28. For fingerpicking, the Hummingbird. For versatility, the J-45. The nice thing is that while you decide, you have a pair of really nice guitars to keep you company!

[sbpark]

Welcome! All the above information is very good. I, too, wish you were able to try some of the options in person, but since it's not possible I'll throw my notions your way. As you probably already know, Hummingbirds are currently wildly popular. The J-45 has been regarded as a mahogany standard pretty much since it was first introduced. The D-28 holds an iconic status similar to the J-45, but for rosewood instead of mahogany. The HD-28 is generally less assertive than the standard model and responds well to a less assertive playing style. Some people consider it to be more versatile than the D-28. It has been pointed out, here in the forum, that I don't appreciate the 'subtle nuances' of the HD-28, and that wasn't a criticism - simply an accurate assessment. Would I own one? Sure. Would I go out of my way to buy one? No. Question is, how do you want to sound as you continue to develop and refine your style and approach to playing? The right choice of guitar may well help you to get there with considerably more facility. For flatpicking, I'd favor a D-28. For fingerpicking, the Hummingbird. For versatility, the J-45. The nice thing is that while you decide, you have a pair of really nice guitars to keep you company!

 

Agree 100%. I personally would never spend what they're asking for a new HD-28, and feel like it's way overpriced, but then again, I'm more partial to my J45. Only reason I have the HD-28 is someone traded me for...get this...a 2013 SG Standard!. Told the guy he was nuts for offering that trade, but he still went along with it and really wanted an SG. GAS does strange things to people, along with a wife who wouldn't let him buy another guitar, but was ok if he traded for another with the old "one in, one out" rule. If the guy was patient he could have sold the HD-28, bought a used SG Standard, and still had a grand left over and bought his wife something nice and everyone would have come out ahead in the end (except for me, since I wouldn't have ended up with the HD-28!) I still do think it's a great compliment to a J45.

[jdd707]

 

 

 

If you are looking for a nice warm sound, don't rule out a J45. Between the two you mentioned, I'd probably go with the Martin. I really value my D35! No shame on this Gibson site for owning a Martin. You'll see that most of the regulars here own at least one Martin. No wrong answer here .... both are winners.

 

 

 

 

 

[OldCowboy]

If you are looking for a nice warm sound, don't rule out a J45. Between the two you mentioned, I'd probably go with the Martin. I really value my D35! No shame on this Gibson site for owning a Martin. You'll see that most of the regulars here own at least one Martin. No wrong answer here .... both are winners.

A GOOD D-35 is hard to beat. I owned one which I foolishly sold back in the '90s and have missed it. Many I've played have been only so-so, but that one would stand up to any Martin available IMHO. I know two other people who had the same experience. To me, it was sort of a D-28 without the rough edges, if that makes any sense. If you decide that a D-35 might suit your needs, however, I strongly recommend that you play before buying!

[JuanCH]

Thanks a lot ! I will see. It´s a hard decision!

[generaldreedle]

I just got an hd28 vts (torrefied top), it's a fantastic guitar, I also have a j45 custom rosewood, both are great guitars.