If you were going to buy your first Martin....

[imwjl]

I would be and did do:

1. Shop for used guitars. There are lots of Martins out there. baby boomers who had or have GAS make even more of them and often those have very little use.
2. Delay the gratification to know what models, shapes, and what woods.

Food for thought. Also know that companies like Santa Cruz and others make better versions of iconic designs and your budget could get you a used version. Honestly, I've played 1930s Martins and think my 2009 Santa Cruz has more in common than any of 4 Martins I've had or still have. My Collings electric sounds more like an acquaintance's 1960 ES-335 and is made better.

[Earl49]

RP, when that time came for me, I bought a J-40. All of the power of a D-28 when flatpicked, with some additional articulation of tone (for fingerpicking) due to the smaller waist -- probably the great secret of the Standard series. Some of the forum sponsors might be able to get your there for your budget. Used they are typically just around $2100.

Alas, I sold it a couple of years ago after 26 years of ownership, as I could no longer get along with the 1-11/16" nut width and MLO neck carve. But the tone was to die for. The updated 2018 version has a 1-3/4" nut, but the used ones won't.
https://www.elderly.com/catalog/prod...8-guitar-case/

[Sagebrush Tom]

Originally Posted by trufunk

I’d love a 000-18 as my first Martin...but can only afford a 000-15SM , purchasing next week. [emoji322]

Don't think that you're having to settle for lesser guitar with the 15sm. The 15 series are special guitars as are the 18 series. i own an 18 series guitar but my 000-15m is hands down my favorite right now. One reason that the 15 series are cheaper is that they're void of any bling and if you like the bare bones look, the 15 series are your guitar.
Tom

[drplayer]

This wouldn't leave you with enough for even a cup of coffee, but still within your budget. Picked this up new last Fall...a Custom Shop Adirondack/Mahogany 0000(M). The hidden gem in the Martin lineup IMHO, and just a sublime instrument!

[drplayer]

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

I did not need to see this post. My goodness! That is hot!!!

Yup...want, no....NEED one now!

Happy to enable! There's only one way to cure that itch you know, and I know a guy named Maury who can fill the prescription...

[Steadfastly]

A D-28 or an HD-28.

I may have gone for a D-18 earlier in my life but I already own a very good guitar with mahogany back and sides.

[Dakotabison]

Mine would be a M36.

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by HHP

If you own Martins, sooner or later you will want to own a D-28 as it is the most iconic in their line, and maybe of all guitars.Save time, get one now and get that out of the way. Its sort of the "Goldilocks" Martin, not too much or too little of anything, it will provide a baseline for the purchase of Martins 2 through 10.

Honestly, I never had the urge. Maybe now that they've redesigned but back in 2008 neither the D-18 or D-28 called to me. IMO Martin was resting on its laurels assuming that people would adopt the very mindset that you've conveyed in the quoted comment. The many testimonies for the HD-28 illustrate that (IMO) the D-28 was just a little too "vanilla" - or is that chocolate to the D-18's "vanilla?"

Somebody else mentioned that they'd split that $3K between TWO or more guitars. In that case, I'd have further passed on adding the "iconic" D-18 and D-28 duo and have been perfectly happy with my original choice of D-16GT and looked to add a GC-MMV to scratch the rosewood itch.

[baimo]

In my original post I put D-28 or (HD-28) or the D-18.

But after looking at some of the pictures above, the herringbone on the HD-28 turns me on. I don't know if there is anything to make it sonically different than the D-28, but when I bought my first Martin Rosewood Dread I bought the HD-28. I used to have a herringbone suit I liked also. Thought I was cool! LOL

BTW There were a lot of people that suggested 000 and 00s but I read the OP and he was asking about Martin Dreads. I do love their 000/OM's also but that was not the question.

[cigarfan]

After another gander myself, cause I thought maybe I was getting old, the OP didn't specify. Whew ... now I feel better about my 000.

[Roseland67]

Just did,
OMC16e,

Was intrigued by the use of local cherry wood,
the guitar rings, slightly brighter,
sustain is very good, intonation is spot on,
all frets, all strings even in alternate tunings.

So far so good

[CowboyTim]

Originally Posted by RP

What would you get? Let’s assume a budget of $3000....

Well if I HAD to spend $3000 on guitars....here goes:

$1500 1989 D16A I saw for sale just yesterday,
$900 Norman ST68

That would leave me $600, would probably be enough for a nice Opus X(or V, I'm really not THAT picky).

[George6654]

Originally Posted by Winch2017

D-28, HD-28, or D-18. Your choice and you can’t go wrong. Any one of these is a “guitar for life” purchase that you won’t regret.

Don't forget to try a D35 you might just be Surprised

[Neil K Walk]

This is OT but I need to redact a previous comment...

Originally I balked at the idea that one *has* to aspire to a D-18 or D-28 but after trying a 2018 D-28 I am changing my opinion - though with a caveat. ALWAYS try one out but don't pull the trigger immediately and revisit it many times. Also NEVER settle for anything that's "good enough for now." It only leads to disappointment and unfulfilment.

Today I went to my local shop and was curious if they'd gotten any of the "reimagined" Standard Martins in - and they had the whole line. Remembering the suggestion from this thread I went to the D-28 first - and now I'm smitten.

It's unlikely that I will be able to ever bring one home as I have designs on other guitars and a wife who has tolerated my flock of albatros guitars that will never leave the nest but all I can say at the moment is that my D-16GT is looking VERY expendable right now!

That being said, I see myself straying into the Martin room at a future date and sampling the new HD-28 and D-35.

[MTslntP]

For me, a 2018 D-35. Second choice would be a 2018 D-18. Don’t get to hung up on the 28 number....the D-35 is under the radar and has a very full and enriching tone.