Martin Aluminum Top Guitar

[Ken C]

Maybe they sound the way they do because it takes longer for aluminum to open up.

Ken C.

[simonsonics]

Originally Posted by Ken C

Maybe they sound the way they do because it takes longer for aluminum to open up.

Ken C.

My experience has always been that popping the tab really helps an aluminum top open up.

[Paul Balt]

I have a Martin Alternative XT Aluminum Top Grand Concert and the tone is amazing. Everything works. The Bigsby, everything is good. The neck of course is fantastic. The sustain and playability. A pleasant guitar. I had a neck pickup put into it to get a more jazz guitar sound out of it and it works very well. The top being aluminium? Very musical material. I get feedback, though.

[Highway_61]

I think they're cool. But, from what I have read (on the internet, so it must be true), there have been considerable problems with glue Martin used to attach the bridge to the aluminum tops, which have led to significant bridge lift problems.


(Have you seen the version with the factory-installed Bigsby?)

[Tico]

On a perhaps-related 'note' they now make pianos with soundboards of glass.

http://www.stemco.nl/eng-crystalsoundboard.html

SNIP:

A piano with a glass soundboard has the following assets:

A glass soundboard makes the piano insensible to temperature (fluctuations), atmospheric humidity and pressure;
The sound stays warm, but is more homogeneous and has a higher clearness;
The sound does not distort;
The tones keep sounding on longer;
Almost 25 seconds (compared to 15 seconds with a wooden soundboard);
The application of a glass soundboard instead of the laborious wooden one, makes the production of pianos and grand pianos easier;
Glass is environment-friendly.

[frankmcr]

There were a lot of aluminum basses made in the 1930s and they're still in use & sound OK through an amp. The whole body is made of aluminum, not just the top.

[Earl49]

I owned one of the aluminum topped resonator models for several years. The sound of the straight acoustic was - ahem - different but the reso was fine tone-wise I replaced the factory cone with a Quarterman, which helped a lot. One of the coolest things was the unique special edition silver faux alligator case that came with it. I nearly traded that out to keep when I sold the guitar.

My particular example needed a neck reset in its first year, and the fingerboard was attached to the top using epoxy (gave poor Mike fits when he did the reset). I bought it because a resonator with a 14 fret neck and cutaway is not common.

The ALT aluminum-topped series was an interesting experiment with alternative materials that did not seem to pan out. (I have to wonder if they would have done better painted instead ofthe "graffiti" finish tha was used). Of the couple of examples of the straight acoustic version I have played, I agree with Wade -- not very inspiring tonally and easily bested by the HPL guitars. But at least they did not need humidification....

[Long Jon]

I have never heard of an aluminium topped Martin

and that's the way I'd like to keep it.

[bostosh]

Hello Acoustic guys,
Would there be any interest in something new along this thread?
in aluminum soundboards on conventional body hybrid.
Thanks,

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by bostosh

Hello Acoustic guys,
Would there be any interest in something new along this thread?
in aluminum soundboards on conventional body hybrid.
Thanks,

Sure. I'd be interested in seeing whatever it is you have to offer.

That doesn't mean I'd BUY something like that, mind you, but I'm unquenchably interested in all things guitar-related.


Wade Hampton Miller

[stormin1155]

I've played them a couple of times in stores and actually been surprised that they sounded as good as they did. I would not expect them to sound like a D-28, but for what they are, I don't think they sound bad. I think folks get caught up in what they think something is supposed to sound like rather than appreciate it for what it is.

[HHP]

They're OK, but you have to play them A LOT to get them to open up.

[alphasun]

It's a goodie, unless you want to make a lot of noise! have had one for several years and use it almost exclusively for studio recording, usually with a Hotone skyline chorus pedal and Yamaha acoustic amp.
I also have a more recent Taylor Koa GSmini which is fine but which I rarely play because despite the GS being excellent and having a shorter scale, which suits my hands, the Martin has a wonderful action and a superior amplification system. A small but noticeable edge.
Acoustically, the guitar has less boomy bass than a corresponding wooden guitar, resulting in an incisive but smooth treble-biased sound. It has excellent sustain.
I like the use of artificial materials throughout,as they're more stable and robust, though the HPL has acquired one small dent.
I like the aluminium top finish, a fine example of flamboyant but tasteful American design.
I haven't had any problems with the bridge.
Here's an original instrumental of mine using the amplified sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3GHcIdwMKs
My other recordings are on Bandcamp at https://alphasun.bandcamp.com/

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by simonsonics

My experience has always been that popping the tab really helps an aluminum top open up.

No, that creates the optional sound port.

[gfspencer]

Originally Posted by Kevin Gallagher

They're a great campfire or canoeing guitar, but their tone isn't suited for much more than those activities. They are, for all effects and purposes, an entry level Martin.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

"Campfire Guitar" as in fuel for the fire??? Just kidding.

Actually, when it came out I thought that it would be an interesting guitar to have. I thought that it might make a good blues guitar.

Martin is a very staid company. They don't stray far from the things that have always worked. I think it is encouraging to see them try new things.