Really, just what is it about Martins?

[ahorsewithnonam]

Huh????? Wrong thread?

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by giweb

Why does an older Martin go for much higher price than a newer one?

It doesn't.

Unless it's REALLY old.

[DRodgers]

Originally Posted by SongwriterFan

BTW, have you ever been to the desert?

Bahahahaha. This is top five posts that I've ever seen on here. So funny.

[Yanto]

Played a Martin for the first time yesterday at Dawsons in Chester. A 000-16. I realise that this is one of Martins cheaper models at around £1000, but I was underwhelmed. Not sure what I was expecting when I picked it up. Maybe too much. I've never paid that much for a guitar. So maybe my expectations were too high. Martin obviously make superb instruments, and seem to be loved by many on here. This is just an observation on one example of one model, not the whole brand.

[guit3090]

Sorry to go off track for a second, Collings?, Are they more to the rich Martins or to the Taylor sound? I think what Martin has going for it, is it invented the Dreadnought body style, which I would think is most popular and copied.

[HHP]

Like a lot of products, its how it fits with the individual. I was late to Martin ownership, mostly due to restricted budget for things like guitars, but I owned other American makes that were very good. My first Martin was a 000-28 that I traded several good guitars I had bought over the years at very low cost. My playing improved dramatically after the acquisition as that guitar just felt and played so well I played it a lot.

I think that's the answer for most people who really like Martin, it happens to work so well that they use it more and get better at it. They rightly or wrongly attribute the advance in their playing to the instrument. I've since added other Martins with different necks, bodies, and sound but they all feel immediately familiar and comfortable when I pick them up. I also have a very nice small shop instrument that is probably superior to Martins in all respects except one, it doesn't give me that immediate comfort and familiarity when I pick it up. I have to pay attention and work to get what it has to offer.

I don't know how or why its different from other makes, but Martins just seem to immediately "work" for a lot of people. People may cite the tone, the history, the quality, or whatever, but its that immediate familiarity that brings them back for more.

[Yanto]

HHP - I think that's a very valid point. The 000-16 that I tried certainly felt comfortable, probably due to the size and body shape. No faulting the build quality either. I would say that I only strummed it,quite hard with a pick, as this is the style I was looking for. Thinking about it maybe it is more suited to fingerstyles? It certainly would put me off buying a Martin in the future if I found the right model

[taylorman9270]

Originally Posted by guit3090

Sorry to go off track for a second, Collings?, Are they more to the rich Martins or to the Taylor sound? I think what Martin has going for it, is it invented the Dreadnought body style, which I would think is most popular and copied.

Ford "invented" mass produced Model T's. Have there been improvements in automobiles since then?

[HHP]

Originally Posted by taylorman9270

Ford "invented" mass produced Model T's. Have there been improvements in automobiles since then?

The answer to that is that Martin obviously had a better grasp of what a guitar should be in 1934 than Henry Ford had of what a car should be.

[taylorman9270]

That's obvious to you maybe, but not to me.

[ukejon]

So, perhaps, if I hadn't burned out my eardrums, I'd be a Taylor guy again, I do love their guitars, so consistent, well built, wonderful to play. But, that Martin tone....it's just so addicting.

It is cool to find a brand that you like--Martin, Taylor, Collings, Tak, Gibson, Yamaha. There is no right or wrong...there is what attracts your ear and fits your particular playing style. In a sense, one could modify the OP's quote for use by other players:

"So, perhaps, if I hadn't burned out my eardrums, I'd be a ________ guy again, I do love their guitars, so consistent, well built, wonderful to play. But, that _______ tone....it's just so addicting."

[T1mothy]

Originally Posted by ahorsewithnonam

Dude...where do you work! Single, I assume? Rich uncle? Want to be friends..........please.....lol

Haha as if 5 guitars didnt offer enough variety.

[djh1765]

There is a ton of very nice sounding guitar brands on the market without paying those high prices for a Martin.

I have a Martin but my favorite guitar is my Yamaha.

[Turp]

Originally Posted by HHP

Like a lot of products, its how it fits with the individual. .

That is a very sober observation that unfortunately is lost in the world of mass appeal and brand coolaid.

A lot of my experience has been many people accept what they think will come for the headstock (brand). Guitars are as varied as people, and a brand will not always meet a player's expectations. And, and, often, those expectations change.

[Yanto]

Turp - can argue with any of that