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Old 01-06-2011, 02:58 PM
rmyAddison rmyAddison is offline
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Location: Addison, TX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluegrasswannab View Post
Why the D28 over HD28? Why do they like the standard bracing over the scalloped?
Again, you can play anything on anything or in any situation, but..........

when you play in a band you need to consider more than yourself, the sound of the group is more important. D-28s are in most folks opinions the most balanced Martin dreads, HD's have more low end, HD-28V's (I love them) are warm and smokey, and Marquis are HD's on steroids. All great guitars, and you have the 35s and 40 series, and GE/Authentics , but the good old 18/28s "fit" in a Bluegrass mix the easiest.

You don't need strong bass when you have a bass player, you don't need a lush sound when you have the fill of many instruments. And you certainly can play any dread in a Bluegrass band, some just blend better and there certainly are groups with different dreads and non-Martins. But the majority of traditional Bluegrass down home bands use D-18 and 28's, some of that is just traditional, BG is very conservative, and some is because folks have figured out over the years what just works.

Nobody is going to kick you out with a Merrill or Henderson or Dudenbostel or Blazer & Henkes either, just giving an observation on the most common Martin choices historically for Bluegrass. Happy shopping.
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Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany
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