My New Martin GPC-28E

[tammuz7000]

The 35 is lighter braced with 1/4 bracing compared to 5/16 on the 28. It also has a 3 piece back. I think the 35 was designed to be more like the D35 and the 28 like a D28.

[strat4me]

The bracing is 1/4 on the 35 vs 5/16 on the 28. The 35 has a deeper sound with less brightness on the top strings. I suggest listening to both of them at Maury's with Spoon Phillips playing the same things on both for easy comparison. YouTube.



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[jp2558]

You can compare specs here:

http://martinrep.com/specwizard.php

[strat4me]

Originally Posted by jp2558

You can compare specs here:

http://martinrep.com/specwizard.php

WOW!!!b This is a phenomenal site. Thank you for sharing.

[strat4me]

Originally Posted by tammuz7000

I'm a real fan of the new D18 and so are a lot other. Does the gpc-18e sound anything like it at all. Does it play like it with the same neck?It has the same. Racing and the same scalloping. I really liked the omc18e but have not found a gpc one to play.

GC will ship one to your nearest store. If you decide against it you pay $25. Might be worth it.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by tammuz7000

I'm a real fan of the new D18 and so are a lot other. Does the gpc-18e sound anything like it at all. Does it play like it with the same neck?It has the same. Racing and the same scalloping. I really liked the omc18e but have not found a gpc one to play.

Hi Tom,

The Martin GPC-18E and Martin D-18 have the same neck profile but the D-18 comes with medium-gage strings so it feels a bit different but pretty much plays the same. The D-18 is more powerful owing to its bigger size and medium-gaqe strings but, overall, the GPC-18E feels nicer to hold. The GPC-18 has plenty of dynamics and is well-balanced but still has a nice tight bass punch. The D18 and GPC-18E compliment each other with similar bracing and materials and a vintage tone versus a more "modern" tone. You can still hear the characteristic Martin tone in the GPC-18E. I think the GPC-18E/28E/35E are worthwhile additions to the Standard Series and bridge the tonal range between an OMC and Dreadnought shapes.

[strat4me]

The D-28 Marquis didn't stand out above the GPC-28E. In deference to the Marquis, one obvious reason may have been the Adirondack top which needs more time to open up. Perhaps not the optimum time to compare when brand new next to the Sitka top.

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[OneMansGuitar]

The difference is the bracing. The 35 has 1/4" non-scalloped bracing, just like the D-35. And the 28 has 5/16" non-scalloped bracing, just like the D-28.

My ear hears the difference as fatter more diffuse bass, with precise trebles from the 35, and a more sculpted and defined bass, with more muscular treble notes from the 28.

I will not be surprised to see an HGPC-28E eventually that gets the forward-shifted scalloped 5/16" bracing of the GPC-18E.

But I do feel that bracing helps the simpler mahogany tone a good deal, just like it did for the revamped D-18 and 000-18.

Anyway, congratulations to the OP!

Contrary to any rumors that might be circulating from uninformed speculation, I am quite familiar with all varieties of acoustic guitars made remotely like the Martin GPCs and have been since the 1980s when they first started to appear.

My assessment of the GPC-28E as offering the best unplugged acoustic sound of any guitar of this sort is entirely my opinion based on my personal preference for the resonant tonal properties in the classic Martin sound, with its pure trebles and a thicker, wavering undertone presence than heard from other builders.

I know other people, including many at the Martin factory, who prefer the sound of the GPC-35E.

Martin was very late in introducing models of this ilk, because they had never been interested in anything but their own in-house designs. The Grand Auditorium (M) models introduced in 1970s are a very different concept from the many similar designs that sprung up in the years directly after James Taylor adopted Jim Olson Small Jumbo guitars and took them on tour in 1991, most with a rounder bottom bout and deeper sides than anything Martin invented.

I have yet to find one built by anyone that I love in tone and dynamics as much as my beloved OMs and dreadnoughts. But that doesn't mean I don't like them.

[strat4me]

Originally Posted by OneMansGuitar

The difference is the bracing. The 35 has 1/4" non-scalloped bracing, just like the D-35. And the 28 has 5/16" non-scalloped bracing, just like the D-28.

My ear hears the difference as fatter more diffuse bass, with precise trebles from the 35, and a more sculpted and defined bass, with more muscular treble notes from the 28.

I will not be surprised to see an HGPC-28E eventually that gets the forward-shifted scalloped 5/16" bracing of the GPC-18E.

But I do feel that bracing helps the simpler mahogany tone a good deal, just like it did for the revamped D-18 and 000-18.

Anyway, congratulations to the OP!

Contrary to any rumors that might be circulating from uninformed speculation, I am quite familiar with all varieties of acoustic guitars made remotely like the Martin GPCs and have been since the 1980s when they first started to appear.

My assessment of the GPC-28E as offering the best unplugged acoustic sound of any guitar of this sort is entirely my opinion based on my personal preference for the resonant tonal properties in the classic Martin sound, with its pure trebles and a thicker, wavering undertone presence than heard from other builders.

I know other people, including many at the Martin factory, who prefer the sound of the GPC-35E.

Martin was very late in introducing models of this ilk, because they had never been interested in anything but their own in-house designs. The Grand Auditorium (M) models introduced in 1970s are a very different concept from the many similar designs that sprung up in the years directly after James Taylor adopted Jim Olson Small Jumbo guitars and took them on tour in 1991, most with a rounder bottom bout and deeper sides than anything Martin invented.

I have yet to find one built by anyone that I love in tone and dynamics as much as my beloved OMs and dreadnoughts. But that doesn't mean I don't like them.

Your fav OMs??? 🙌🙌🙌


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[strat4me]

Originally Posted by SKYHIGH

Anyone know how GPC-28 is different than GPC-35? Is it simply cosmetic? 3pc back from 2pc, bindings?

Thanks

Can't forget the all important volute - diamond, hand carved on the GPC-28E but not on the GPC-35E



With volute:

[ScaryLarry]

FYI the GPC-28E also has scalloped forward shifted bracing

[Dbrush13]

I bought my GPC 28e new from Sweetwater in 2017. I’m a lefty and live a couple of hours away. I had them pull 5 or 6 lefty’s prior to my visit. I was really expecting to buy something completely different and was just floored by the tone of the GPC. Took it home with me and it just continues to improve with age. Best recording guitar I’ve ever played. The only downside was I could just never get a useable tone from the factory Fishman so I finally had my luthier pull it and replace it with a Baggs Anthem. A huge improvement. I’m lucky to have several really great guitars but it will be with me for life.

[jp2558]

Which Baggs Anthem model did you install?

[Dbrush13]

I installed the full size Anthem. I really like the ability to fine tune. Sounds really great

[jp2558]

Thanks - does that Baggs Anthem require any batteries or any type of preamp?