Rambler 37 Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 re I got this J40M when they first came out in 1986. Hadn't played an acoustic in many years and at the time I liked its "new" low profile neck. As RW Martins are known for the bass was wonderful eventually I grew to want a more beefy neck and after I got my SJ200 in 1998 the Martin saw more case time the play time. Now it comes out when a third Guitar is needed for a 'jam'. Similar size shape as the M-series, but deeper, so more resonance. Martin's middle ground, between the 000/D. Dave Bromberg, Jorma Kaukenon, Steve Earle, Woody Mann & Stefan Grossman all play variants of this line(Ernie Hawkins played Stefan's J38 on his recent Lightnin Hopkins dvd). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cin 0 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I used to love Martin before Gibson, my 5 Martin are D41,00028vs, 00028ECM , 0016DBFM ,OMC aura All of them are gone. But i love Martin 0028vs. Which I never own. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spot 23 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 The small body 00-17 or the 000-18 Luv em Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vourot 12 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I've really liked any D-28 that I have played. I am partial to Rosewood guitars though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E-minor7 275 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 I would be difficult to say anything negative about the Mothership - my dear D-35. Continue to believe it will be the last one to go. Had a flirt with the OO and OOO's and played a couple of good M-36/M-38's, but found out it isn't the path for me (at least not now). For the last 2 weeks I have been on the hunt for a HD-28V. Own a Custom slope D-18 (scalloped), but must try out a regular body-shaped scalloped rosewood Martin. In my search and final choice for the chosen few, it'll be either the hog or the rose. As said, the 35 is above that race - Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fretplay 19 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Strange no D28s, guess you guys like me are more faithful to a Gibson J45. But to answer the question I'm a 00028 fan. This guitar specs the same as a CJ165 but the sound is different, don't know why both are very nice guitars. The Gibson is warmer especially in the bass. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j45nick 484 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Strange no D28s, guess you guys like me are more faithful to a Gibson J45. But to answer the question I'm a 00028 fan. This guitar specs the same as a CJ165 but the sound is different, don't know why both are very nice guitars. The Gibson is warmer especially in the bass. I think we like 000-28 variants because they sound and feel so different from a guitar like the J-45. In college (mid '60s) I had my J-45, and my roommate had an early '60s D-18 which sort of overwhelmed the J-45 both with overall volume and a big, clear bottom for a 'hog guitar. Even when I put on mediums, the D-18 was louder. One time another guy came over with his 000-28 (the first time I had seen one), and it was a whole different animal: sort of light (relatively speaking) and articulate. That's still a voice I appreciate in the 000-28 EC I have now. To draw an analogy, the J and the 'dred were more Johnny Cash, and the 000-28 was more Stevie Winwood, if you get my drift. Since those days, my J-45 has another 40+ years of maturity on top of the 20 it had then, and boy, how its voice has changed! It may not hold its own with volume, but it certainly does with character. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MR GIBS 30 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 D 42 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aitch 1 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 000-18GE in Ambertone from MFG. I've had this guitar for about two weeks now. I stepped up in size to this from a 00-18V and really glad I did. This guitar confounds me every time I play it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gearbasher 20 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 My Martin D-60. I got her from Elderly about 10 years ago. Sounds lovely. But, I do like my Maple J-45 better. Here's the link to Elderly's page, if you want to see more pics. I can't believe the page is still there after all these years. http://www.elderly.com/items/10U-3129.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rambler 37 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 000-18GE in Ambertone from MFG. This guitar confounds me every time I play it. Confounds? Surely meant astounds? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E-minor7 275 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Confounds? Surely meant astounds? I didn't know the word and looked it up. Found out it meant 'confuses'. I thought : Interesting, know the feeling - several of my guitars are rather unfigureable. What the heck means unfigureable. . . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sternfan 1 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Here's my favorite: The Bellezza Nera (000 40ECHF): Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dotneck 9 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 000-18GE in Ambertone from MFG. I've had this guitar for about two weeks now. That's the one I mentioned....Someday..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gio 2 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I also have a 000-18 Ambertone from MFG. I totally agree with Aitch. And it gets better every month! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aitch 1 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 Confounds? Surely meant astounds? Yeah..."astound" is probably more what I meant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pschaafs 0 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 I have two - an OM28V and a Ditson 111 - both are great for fingerstyle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack6849 5 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 In January of this year, after a five-month wait, a Martin Custom Shop D-45V with an optional premium-grade Adirondack Spruce top, and wider "vintage-style" 2-5/8" Bridge String Spacing arrived for me at Dave's Guitar Shop in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Not only was it my "dream guitar"... but it is now also my favorite Martin ever. (and believe me, that's saying something....) In fact though,I currently own more Gibson acoustics than all other brands put together. Thank you, Jack6849 P.S. (Hi, Karen) I've also owned a number of Martin's D-42s, including a "Limited Edition" one in Cambodian Rosewood, and (while they are certainly, in no way, worth more than your life, regardless of your skill level), they are truly beautiful guitars, so dream on GG. Dreaming is fun... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E-minor7 275 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 In January of this year, after a five-month wait, a Martin Custom Shop D-45V with an optional premium-grade Adirondack Spruce top, and wider "vintage-style" 2-5/8" Bridge String Spacing. . . . Dreaming is fun... I'm sure this is one heavenly guitar – congratulations. I'm currently out looking for a HD-28V which is scalloped/forward shifted too. Can you explain the exact differences/advantages regarding the Forward Shifted idea, , , more bass. . . ?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack6849 5 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 Shifting the braces "forward" (toward the sound hole) makes the movement of the top in the area around and behind the bridge less restricted (and therefore more inclined to vibrate...). That increased flexibility of the soundboard, in theory, allows the guitar to deliver more volume generally, and specifically, to produce a better bass response. Jack6849 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E-minor7 275 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 Shifting the braces "forward" (toward the sound hole) makes the movement of the top in the area around and behind the bridge less restricted (and therefore more inclined to vibrate...). That increased flexibility of the sound board, in theory, allows the guitar to deliver more volume generally, and specifically, to produce a better bass response. Jack6849 Yes, that's what I imagined. It's the old fashioned way and I guess it was changed to stabilize the structures of the guitars. The HD-28 has the X in ordinary position, but as a bass-person I'm tempted to try the forward variant. Besides I really like the V looks (including the emerald-interior case, which I prefer over the bordeaux). Not really sure about my Custom D-18. The specs says : TOP BRACES - Sitka/1Style/Scalloped (Modified) PATTERN - Modified Hybrid Thanks for replying - Quote Link to post Share on other sites
E-minor7 275 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 By the way this thread shows there is a lot of affection for Martins among the Gibson tripe. A relief to me, as everything else would be weird. But notice EuroA's subtitle : From a Gibby players perspective. A clever little detail which most of us forgot. EuroA, , , I simply think it was too big a task to ask people to consider the differences in the middle of their enthusiasm for talking Martin a while. Still exactly that – the basic difference on all levels between the 2, tone-feel-craft-soul wise etc. – is a very good topic that should be brought up again. For me they set each other in perspective and double the playing pleasure. I really know my D-35 after I picked up Gibsons and vice versa. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gilliangirl 57 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 Hi Jack Dreaming IS fun, and it gets me through my days haha! Last time I looked a D42 was selling for about $9000.00. Not sure what they go for nowadays but I'll think I'll check, just for something to do (dreaming!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slimt 130 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 I like a few of the Martin Guitars... But if I was to spend anything over 6000.00 for one... I would go the extra monies to aquire a 50s D28.. Thats Just me.. Ive had a few D45s and OM 42s there Nice guitars.. Ive had a few ?? D28s from the 50s.. That would be my preference again.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guth 55 Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 In the past, I owned a D-18GE. Really nice guitar, but it didn't work so well given my playing style and I didn't hang on to it for long. More recently I played a super sweet sounding 40's era 00-17, but the shop selling it wanted far more that what I was willing to pay. Like others, I think of Martin and Gibson as the Ford and Chevy of the guitar world. In general, I've found a certain appeal in Martin guitars, but Gibson's were typically much more to my liking. Then last year I encountered a Martin 000-18GE. I really liked the vibe of this guitar, ended up purchasing it and I've been extremely happy with the guitar. I still consider myself a Gibson guy at heart , but I do really dig the Martin that I found. Variety is the spice of life as they say. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.