What are your two favorite Martin guitar models?

[sayheyjeff]

My 0018vs and OM28v are my 2 favorites. I love the sounds coming from some friends' vintage Martins, but the smaller guitars are my favorite to play, and I think my 2008 om28v is a particularly good sounding example. Even found I like the bit of V in the neck. Used to like the 90s version of the 00017s a whole lot too. Really comfortable to play, and I always preferred its sound to the 15 series Martins. Martin must have found that to be the minority opinion.

Jeff

[L20A]

D-35
D-35-12

[StephenHD35]

My two favorite Martins are probably my D28A ‘31 (pre vts) and my 00-18A ‘31.

[Guitars+gems]

I am like others here, my 2 favorite Martin guitars are those that I own. I'd love to try an OM28 Marquis, as Todd mentioned, though.

My HD28v MFG Custom has a 1.75 nut and MLO neck, which are perfect for me. It's beautiful and it's tone is nothing short of thrilling to me; loud, rolling, intense, and deeply dramatic, yet clear so that I can hear every string. Maybe I'm rhapsodizing, but the sound of that guitar gives me chills! The day I bought it, I played most every dread in the shop, and that was the one I knew I wouldn't be able to forget if I left without it.

The 00L-17 is absolutely fun and very satisfying. Because it's smaller, more narrowly waisted, lighter, and shorter scale than the dread, it's easier to play. Same 1.75" MLO neck but has the PA taper. Not as dramatic and thrilling as the HD28, the 00L-17 is sparkly, simpler, light-hearted and happy sounding but still loud (loud is big with me ) and very clear. Some call this a blues guitar, but as my teacher says, "When a guitar sounds this good, you can play anything on it!"

2017-07-27_03-31-02 by onlythismoment, on Flickr

[AHill]

I'm also going with the two I own: D-28 Marquis and D-18 Standard. Both are fine guitars and they both have their won personality. My Marquis projects power with grace and provides a full and articulated tone. My D-18 is balanced and beautiful. I don't think either will ever leave the stable.

[Brucebubs]

I like 2 that,
a) - nobody has heard of
b) - nobody else likes.

[magazine]

I like your picks Wade. I've been dreaming about a D18 though.

[Tico]

This is My Favorite Martian.

[Deacon Blues]

Okay, I'll play.

I love both of these for different reasons

First would be my 000-40 SPR.

https://www.elderly.com/martin-000-4...light-2001.htm

Sustain and clarity to die for.

Second would be my 00-DB Jeff Tweedy.

https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars...b-jeff-tweedy/

Delightfully deep, dark and resonant.

[crwheat@sbcglob]

Had quite a few Martins through the years. I bought a Gruhn Custom 0000-18 from a fellow AGFer a few years ago. Hands down my favorite for all around sound and playability. This past August I was fortunate to get a D-1 1931 Authentic. Unbelievable sound. High quality build. To me, the perfect large body guitar.

[Orfeas]

OM 21 Special
Custom M36 with lavish KOA and an exquisite Adirondack top that I've played once.

[geelinus]

1) Mine

2) Yours

[Kh1967]

00-18 and 00-21, done by Ted at LA Guitar Sales.

The 000-28H has always caught my eye but, have yet had to put my hands on one. Might have to do that one of these days. :-)

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Mr. Paul

Like what Martin does with rosewood OMs. Would love to play a 000-30 1919 Authentic.

Let's look at one, shall we?

Martin 000-30 1919 Authentic

Nice guitar, but then again, at its list price of $8,599.00, it should be, shouldn't it?


whm

[Wade Hampton]

Something I've been noticing as I'm reading through the thread (I'm about halfway through it now,) is that a lot of people have the mistaken impression that I want to know which Martins that you OWN are your favorites.

That wasn't my intention at all. It's irrelevant whether you own any of these guitars or not, I just wanted to learn which models you like the most. Regardless of who owns them.

For example, I own a 000-42, but don't own a Martin 000-28H. The 000-28H is still a killer guitar, and I actually prefer its modest appointments over the flashiness of the abalone purfling encrusting the top of my 000-42. So it was one of my choices as one of my favorite two Martin models. If I didn't already own a magnificent-sounding 14 fret Triple O, I'd seek out a 000-28H.

The same thing is true of the Martin D-18. After years of wanting one, I finally snagged a terrific example. But in similar threads from years past, I usually mentioned the D-18, even though I didn't yet own the one I have now. To my mind and my ear good examples of the D-18 exemplify everything that's great about Martin dreadnoughts.

So please don't feel like you have to own two Martin guitars before you can chime in on this thread.

Also, as Todd and others have pointed out, I've asked you all to limit yourselves to two favorite models mainly to keep things relatively succinct and the pace lively. Which it has been. But I'm not standing over this thread with a bullwhip, looking for transgressors to punish. So write whatever you want. As soon as I finish reading the rest of the thread I'm going write about my next two favorite Martin models, neither of which, as it happens, I own. But that doesn't stop me from liking them a lot, which is the entire point of this thread, so far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, great contributions from everyone so far. I've been enjoying reading this thread.


Wade Hampton Miller