Odd, for me at least

[Acoustic Rick]

I'm about two months (give or take) with my new Martin HD28V and I realize that's still kind of the "honeymoon" period but, what I find odd is that I hardly ever plug in anymore during my 1-2 hours each day practice session. And I've got probably one of the best acoustic amps I've ever played through. (Rivera Sedona Lite) I seem to be so satisfied with just the acoustic tone on this guitar that I want to hear it' tone. I've never owned an acoustic that I didn't plug in no matter how good, or bad for that matter it was. Maybe it's age I don't know. 55 right this moment so it's either I'm getting old or this thing really does sound as good as I think it does.
Any experience with this from you guys? Thanks!

[lukybob2]

I guess I'm the opposite of you. I never plug in when I practice alone. I only plug in when it's a necessity.

[Claytone]

Sounds to me that you have found your soulmate...If she is this good naked...then how will she sound dressed up?
Maybe the elusive search for tone is over?

[Wade Hampton]

Perhaps in the past, Rick, you had acoustic guitars that benefited from whatever tonal boost plugging them in gave you. But with this Martin you've crossed the threshold where the acoustic tone is diminished by being plugged in.

Really fine acoustic guitars generate a very complex tone, one that's difficult to capture with a pickup. So plugging them into an amp results in a reduction of their tone, not a boost.

That's why I typically use both a pickup AND a microphone on my instruments when I'm onstage: the pickup for the basic sound, and the mic for the "air" sound, and also to serve as a primitive volume control device, so I can move in or away from it as needed.

Anyway, enjoy your superb new Martin guitar!


Wade Hampton Miller

[rmyAddison]

Rick,

I keep my Martin's pristine, no pickups, except for always having one acoustic electric for gigs when I can't use microphones.

My acoustic electric never gets played acoustically (always amplified), and my acoustics are only amplified using microphones.

I'm funny that way..................

[HHP]

What would you plug in? HD-28V's generally don't have a pickup in them unless you special order or have on installed. Do you have an HD-28VE?

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by lukybob2

I guess I'm the opposite of you. I never plug in when I practice alone. I only plug in when it's a necessity.

+1. I prefer the tone of my acoustics unplugged ... just a natural, unamplified, tone.

It sounds like you're loving your HD-28v and that is not a surprise to me!

[Glennwillow]

Hi Rick,

I have not plugged into an amp for quite a while. I guess I prefer the acoustic sound of my guitars. Amplified guitars almost never sound accurate to me.

I'm glad you are enjoying that new Martin!

- Glenn

[Misty44]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Perhaps in the past, Rick, you had acoustic guitars that benefited from whatever tonal boost plugging them in gave you. But with this Martin you've crossed the threshold where the acoustic tone is diminished by being plugged in.

Really fine acoustic guitars generate a very complex tone, one that's difficult to capture with a pickup. So plugging them into an amp results in a reduction of their tone, not a boost.

That's why I typically use both a pickup AND a microphone on my instruments when I'm onstage: the pickup for the basic sound, and the mic for the "air" sound, and also to serve as a primitive volume control device, so I can move in or away from it as needed.

Anyway, enjoy your superb new Martin guitar!


Wade Hampton Miller

Which greatly whets my appetite regarding the new Martin Retro guitars whose vintage signature Martin tone is achieved through new Fishman electronics. I await the first expert reviews.

I've never plugged in, only occasionally stood in front of a standing mic, so I don't have any experience in this matter. But I'm glad you've experienced a new threshold, and a good one at that. That I can relate to.

[Macco]

What I like about your post is that you got that new baby at age 55. You go man!!!

I bought a new HD-28 last month, at the age of 63. And I don't even know how to play. But, I'll tell you what, she sure is motiving me to learn and I'm really enjoying it. I'm working on it every day and noticing improvement.

After retiring, cutting the grass and growing a few veggies on the deck just didn't cut it for me.

[Acoustic Rick]

Originally Posted by HHP

What would you plug in? HD-28V's generally don't have a pickup in them unless you special order or have on installed. Do you have an HD-28VE?

A pickup of course.

Great comments guys and thanks!

[akadave]

Originally Posted by rmyAddison

Rick,

I keep my Martin's pristine, no pickups, except for always having one acoustic electric for gigs when I can't use microphones.

My acoustic electric never gets played acoustically (always amplified), and my acoustics are only amplified using microphones.

I'm funny that way..................

Im with you on that train of thought...however my ears have let me to buy guitars that had piezo pickups because of their acoustic tone...leaving me always thinking " I wonder what this would sound like without that saddle pickup?"

[seeker]

Yep, I'm 55 and about to buy a new Martin too. I stumbled across a book in the library years ago that described the musical journey of a man who started learning the cello in his 60s. I believe he wound up playing with an orchestra....It's never to late to follow your passion, or to improve yourself.

[dablues]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

+1. I prefer the tone of my acoustics unplugged ... just a natural, unamplified, tone.

+2. I can't remember ever playing an acoustic guitar that sounded better plugged-in than unplugged.

[220volt]

Originally Posted by HHP

What would you plug in? HD-28V's generally don't have a pickup in them unless you special order or have on installed. Do you have an HD-28VE?

Not true. HD28V's are amplified. Naturally