Martin Performing Artist Series

Iolas · #1 07-04-2010, 07:50 PM

Has anyone played these yet? I tried one out at guitar center and was blown away. Played and sounded like a dream. I sat there for 3 hours playing it, lol.
Now I just need 3 grand.

This is the one I played....
http://www.mguitar.com/guitars/choos...s&g=F&m=GPCPA1

johnzias · #2 07-04-2010, 07:55 PM

Are those the same dimensions as a Taylor GA? Looks like it could be called a Marlor to me!

Transylvania · #3 07-04-2010, 07:59 PM

I played one briefly at a Sam Ash. I was impressed--seemed like a "modern" guitar from Martin. Have to agree with previous post--did have a bit of a Taylor vibe. But to my ear I liked it a little better than most Taylor's I've played.

Iolas · #4 07-04-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnzias

Are those the same dimensions as a Taylor GA? Looks like it could be called a Marlor to me!

It does...the guys at GC called it a Martin Taylor...lol. They all love it though.

gameover98 · #5 07-05-2010, 01:15 AM

maybe the one i played the other day was a dud, but I didn't like it at all. i was expecting to since I had played a d16gte the day before and i had heard it was a similar but better instrument. i liked the d16gte better and much preferred the Taylor GS and Martin standards i played that day.

Iolas · #6 07-05-2010, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gameover98

maybe the one i played the other day was a dud, but I didn't like it at all. i was expecting to since I had played a d16gte the day before and i had heard it was a similar but better instrument. i liked the d16gte better and much preferred the Taylor GS and Martin standards i played that day.

You must of got a dud, I tried out the d16gte while I was there, it was good, but no where near the performing artist series.

Cue Zephyr · #7 07-05-2010, 05:41 AM

I was interested until I saw the price tag. Wouldn't mind trying one though.

rmyAddison · #8 07-05-2010, 05:42 AM

The jury is still out for me.

I've played two and I didn't have to have them which surprised me as I love my OMC-Aura and though this would be the "next big thing".

As someone with a bunch of high end Martins and over 6 years with the OMC-Aura stage time here are my thoughts...............

The GP body, new to Martin, the other new Auras are OM and Dread bodies, certainly has a different voicing than traditional Martins, unfortunately that's a bad thing to me, I love vintage voicing and do not care for modern voiced guitars, so the voicing loses me a little. I absolutely hate the pickguard, were I to buy one I would have the store remove it before I bought, to me it is hideous.

The on board electronics. My Aura has served me well, and now being 60 the proximity of the controls is a plus to these old eyes, I have to focus through trifocals to see floor pedals but..............

I'm looking at the Perfroming Artists because Fishman has a newer greater Aura out, my OMC-Aura has last generation electronics, and in 5 years that will happen again, and again. So despite the convenience of onboard electronics you are also guaranteeing obsolescence down the road, therein lies the value of the same electronics in a pedal. And, guitars get better with age, I don't want to recycle a guitar every five years when I know it will sound better when it's 10, 15 20 years old. I'm 60, but if I was 30 I would want a guitar(s) that I could grow old with, not have to periodically trade when the electronics are outdated. As an aside I wonder how that will play out with all those Taylors when the current ES is outdated?

So, I think I am one of the bigger Martin geeks on this forum and the Performing Artists haven't blown me away, yet. My GC has an OM version that I'm going to chek out but I am leaning more towards the new Aura pedal and guitar with UST for my next stage rig, and that would make any guitar available just by adding a pickup, food for thought!

hann · #9 07-05-2010, 08:57 AM

still don't know how people decide to buy one of these...

if people want a taylor sound, they get a Taylor, if they want a Martin sound, they get a D28 or something.. what are people looking for when they get this?

Not to mention it's the price of an 814? hmmm it'll be interesting to find out...

Was just too "middle of the road" for me

35fingerpicker · #10 07-05-2010, 08:59 AM

I think that's th point; they look similar to a Taylor but sound BETTER.

MissouriPicker · #11 07-05-2010, 09:17 AM

I've played one at GC. Decent sounding guitar. Sound like a Taylor? I don't know. Does anyone know? It's all a matter of opinion. Everyone likes to be part of a crowd. I can't understand why anyone would want a Martin that sounds like a Taylor, or a Gibson, or a Breedlove, etc. If you want a Gibby or a Taylor, then you should buy one. None of it amounts to anything. You buy what you can afford and what you like.. Usually the "afford" part determines your choice. For me, Taylors are like the pristene and proper girls you take home to meet mom and dad. Martins and Gibsons are the girls you take to the bars....I've always liked a good ho.

http://www.family-friendly-music.com/

sutherland · #12 07-05-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hann

still don't know how people decide to buy one of these...

if people want a taylor sound, they get a Taylor, if they want a Martin sound, they get a D28 or something.. what are people looking for when they get this?

Not to mention it's the price of an 814? hmmm it'll be interesting to find out...

Was just too "middle of the road" for me

I love Martins as well, but it didn't have the sound that I typically associate with Martin guitars. It sounded fairly polished and balanced, almost Taylor-esque but without the super fast playability.

arie · #13 07-05-2010, 09:53 AM

Played a couple, 1 at GC and 1 at Mc Cabe's. Sounds good and plays good and kinda brings Martin out of the box. Doesn't do anything that any modern gc in it's spec. range won't do but a good start for Martin regardless.

weisser · #14 07-05-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hann

still don't know how people decide to buy one of these...

if people want a taylor sound, they get a Taylor, if they want a Martin sound, they get a D28 or something.. what are people looking for when they get this?

Not to mention it's the price of an 814? hmmm it'll be interesting to find out...

Was just too "middle of the road" for me

The Performing Artists series does borrow from the Taylor school....it does sound like a Martin, however. This will appeal to the player who likes the feel, look and user friendly electronics of the Taylor, but prefers the "sweeter" sound of a Martin.

hann · #15 07-05-2010, 10:17 AM

din even know there was such a group of people!