#1
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Comparing Martin MMV to D-28
I'm looking for a used D-28 and stumbled across this one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ar-?sku=512096 Any know how this compares to a standard D-28 tone-wise? Something's gotta be missing, since it's about $1,000 less. |
#2
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I believe the MMV is a house model that Martin makes for MF - it is not listed on their website nor does Maurys or the Podium have any clips.
I'm going to guess that it is pretty similar to a D-16 in rosewood. |
#3
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I think Martin sells them to some other big retailers as well.
The MMV is basically a stripped down and lower quality materials version of the D-28. Lower quality woods, tuners, inlays, etc. to bring the price down to the budget price they sell at.
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Member #12 Acoustics: 1995 Taylor 510 1997 Taylor Custom Shop 14 size 1998 Taylor K-65 12 string 1998 Larrivee C-10E with Mucha Lady IR/Sitka Electrics: 1999 PRS Custom 22 Artist Package - Whale Blue/Ebony 1995 Fender Custom Shop 1960 Strat - Dakota/Maple 1997 Fender California Series Fat Strat - CAR/Maple 1968 Teisco e-110 Sunburst/Maple |
#4
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It's like the D-16R.
Mortise and Tenon neck joint (not a dovetail). |
#5
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Which is interesting because it says it is X braced. I thought all the M&T's were A frame (but I guess technically they still have an X)
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#6
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Quote:
I have played both. The D-28 has more bass but is not as bright. The MMV has more treble and is more even across the full tonal range but without the booming bass of the D-28. I preferred the tone of the MMV but that would depend on whether or not you want the bassy sound or a brighter sound. Jim |
#7
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Quote:
Jim |
#8
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I thought I liked the MMV too when I compared one to the other Martin models, including the HD-28. After test driving one for a month, I realized that it was nowhere near the guitar I thought it was. Though the MMV has a lot of bass, it lacks any real complexity in the sound, which is fine if you want to sound like you're playing country blues on a Stella, but for modern guitar work, the A-X bracing does not cut it, and truly puts the D-15 models, along with most, if not all of the custom models made for Musician Friend in the amateur class of instruments. |
#9
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Actually, it is X-braced, but not hybrid-X braced, nor is it X-scalloped braced, which are the bracing styles used on the D-16 models, and HD/A models respectively.
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#10
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I'm hoping it sounds similar to the D16-GT that I've played and liked. I bought a used one from a forum member here, but it hasn't come yet. I'd like to take my D-1 to work, but I'd miss having something a bit boomy to contrast the Taylor 414ce. Maybe I should have played it first, but taking a chance.
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#11
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Quote:
Jim |
#12
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All Martin guitars have X-bracing of some sort, which makes the description of the MMV correct.
http://www.mguitar.com/guitars/featu...ing/index.html |
#13
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I'm thinking that I want to avoid scalloped bracing. But, which under $1,500 Martin model will have the tone closest to the D-28?
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#14
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I have a MMV from GC, here is the Spec sheet I got out of them for those who are curious.
Martin GC MMV Model: Guitar Center (RW FG) Custom 03 Top: Sitka Spruce Top Braces: Sitka/1 Style/Non-Scalloped Pattern: D1 A-Frame Bridge Plate: Maple Remaining Bracing: Sitka Spruce Top and Back Binding: 6/32'' White Boltaron Rosette: Style 28 Pickguard: I-01 Tortoise, Pattern 1 (D28 Style) Back: Solid East Indian Rosewood Back Panel: 2 Pc. Sides: Solid East Indian Rosewood Neck: Genuine Mahogany- 10/4 w/ Wings Neck Shape: Mod Low Oval Headstock: Solid/6 String No Diamond/Standard Taper Heelcap: White Boltaron Nut: White Corian Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood Tuning Machines: Gotoh Gold w/ Small Knobs Fingerboard: Black Ebony Radius: 16" Actual Scale Length: 25.340" (25.4") Compensated Scale Length: 25.440" Width At Nut: 1 11/16" Width At 12 Fret: 2 1/8" Frets Clear: 14 Total Frets: 20 Bridge: Black Ebony I will have to say the MMV's voicing is similar but not as bassy as a 28 but it does give you a lot of bark for your dollar. I went to the OM28V for the better even tone across the board and the nut width & "V" neck but I really missed the volume I go out of my MMV. Since I put mediums on the OM, its as loud as my MMV - so now the MMV sits idle. Hope this helps, I don't think you'll be unhappy with your purchase. Good Luck,
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Mike Martin OM28V Martin MMV |
#15
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For $1500 you can get a guitar that sounds exactly like a D-28, don't settle for less if that's what you want.........it's called a "used" D-28!
There is nothing wrong with buying used mid/high end guitars, shop carefully, you will get an instrument that is already broken in and save 50%. I buy used and new and prefer used when the guitar is exactly what I'm looking for. The MMV is not the guitar a D-28 is, period. The price difference is there for a "sound" reason (play on words).
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Rich - rmyAddison Rich Macklin Soundclick Website http://www.youtube.com/rmyaddison Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany Martin CS OM-28 Alpine/Madagascar Martin CS 00-42 Adirondack/Madagascar Martin OM-45TB (2005) Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood (#23 of 29) |