Best sounding Martin

[Tnfiddler]

I played quite a few HD28s in the search for my first Martin and played all of the high end models at their booth at summer NAMM last year. My 2018 Reimagined D41 sounds better than all of them EXCEPT the ‘37 D28 Authentic Aged. But the neck on it would be a No Go for me, so my D41 it is.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

Impossible to answer. Some people like dreads. Some people like small-bodied guitars.
Some people like mahogany. Some people like Rosewood. and on and on and on....

I should have added this in my OP: I prefer spruce/rosewood instead of spruce/mahogany. I am sure about that much anyway. And dreadnoughts.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

OP mentioned this, but it’s worth restating.

He’s looking for varied personal opinions...

Thanks...........

[llew]

"Best"is beyond subjective but I'll just say in the production model dreads the D-28 Authentic 1937 takes the prize for me. Loved that guitar...HATED the neck. Shame?

[musicman1951]

I agree that it's highly subjective and probably a fool's errand, so here I go.

The best sounding dread I've played was a 1937 Authentic. The best smaller guitar I've played was the Authentic Koa.

But there are still plenty I've yet to play, and of course each individual guitar is a world unto itself.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Troubador

I know this is subjective, but I just want opinions anyway. What is the best sounding Martin guitar...

Mine, obviously.

[pagedr]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Another CS OM-18 here. Mine is 7 years old and it was part of the second order of 12 sold by Mandolin Bros on Staten Island.

It's the true ''do it all and sound better doing it guitar''. My friends who play Martin dreads are shocked by the sound that comes out of this guitar!

I just got mine last year from MFG (guessing it's a pretty similar build to what Mandolin Bros had). The Adi top hasn't even come close to opening up yet and the tone still blows me away. Can't wait to hear what it sounds like in a few years.

[SoCalSurf]

My 2018 D-41 Reimagined is the best sounding Martin I have ever played. And quite possibly up there with the best guitar I have ever played.

[llew]

Originally Posted by SoCalSurf

My 2018 D-41 Reimagined is the best sounding Martin I have ever played. And quite possibly up there with the best guitar I have ever played.

Yep...those are very nice!

[McCawber]

I really like my D-28 Authentic 1941 - the smaller neck was ideal or me. My brighter has an absolutely killer OM-28 Authentic that will blow away a most of the dreads I've played.

Frankly I don't think there is a "best" I think it's a matter of personal preference.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Troubador

I should have added this in my OP: I prefer spruce/rosewood instead of spruce/mahogany. I am sure about that much anyway. And dreadnoughts.

The HD-35 / D-35 guitars sound great and are spruce/rosewood. If you don't like a guitar with a strong bass presence or if you need it in a band mix it may not be for you. The 1/4" bracing makes it stand apart from other Martins, many of which use 5/16".

[gwlee7]

I have an HD 28 and a CEO 9. In each case, they were not the Dreadnought or the OO I necessarily had considered when I was looking. I will not be selling either because each spoke to me and caused me to lose sleep until I had them.

The best sounding Martin for you will be the one that you can’t get out of your head after you’ve played it.

[llew]

Originally Posted by gwlee7

I have an HD 28 and a CEO 9. In each case, they were not the Dreadnought or the OO I necessarily had considered when I was looking. I will not be selling either because each spoke to me and caused me to lose sleep until I had them.

The best sounding Martin for you will be the one that you can’t get out of your head after you’ve played it.

Yep...they WILL make you loose sleep until there's some sort of resolution!

[Methos1979]

The best sounding Martin guitar is whatever one I'm holding/playing at the moment!

Seriously though, I've owned 9 Martins (out of 33 acoustic guitars) in the last 8-ish years since I started on this journey. All of them were excellent in build quality and sound.

Here are their rankings from my top favorite on down with a sound value based on 1 through 10 with 10 being the best.

1.) D-1 Custom 10
2.) 000-18GE Custom 9.5
3.) 00-18VS UMGF 9
4.) D-18GE 9.5
5.) 000-28EC 9.5
6.) 000-28EC 9
7.) 00-28VS 9
8.) OM-35 9
9.) 000-28VS 8.5

The newest one is a D-1 Custom 12-fret all mahogany custom based on the D-1 Authentic they discontinued recently. It is hands down THE best sounding Martin - or any other - guitar I've ever owned. It is the first and only Martin guitar I have bought new. It's also the only Martin I still own.

The 000-18GE Custom and the 00-18VS UMGF were also customs that were something quite special with gorgeous Ambertone finishes and probably the only two guitars I regret letting go.

The D-18GE was a guitar I took in trade with no intention of keeping but rather to just flip but it was really something special and one of the best sounding Martin's I've played.

The second 000-28EC that I bought was older and pretty beat up with lots of finish checking and in need of a neck reset. But it was a great player and terrific sounding guitar. The other 000-28EC on the list was in mint condition but the played-in one sounded a little better lending credibility to the break-in argument.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

Impossible to answer. Some people like dreads. Some people like small-bodied guitars.
Some people like mahogany. Some people like Rosewood. and on and on and on....

What he said. Take your pick:

D-Dreadnought D-45 John Mayer 25 Guatemalan Rosewood 45 $14,999
D-35 Johnny Cash 37 Rosewood 6,099
D-18 Jason Isbell 38 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Infinity
Matrix
5,999
Dwight Yoakam DD-28 40 Rosewood 5,999
D-28 John Lennon 35 Rosewood 5,499
D-18 RG ◆ 42 Genuine Mahogany 4,699
D-35 Seth Avett 37 Rosewood Martin Thinline®
Gold Plus Natural1
4,299
D-Boak ◆ 42 Genuine Mahogany 2,999
D-420 ◆ 40 Solid Mahogany 2,999
Grand Jumbo CEO-8.2E 41 FSC® Genuine Mahogany Fishman Blackstack 4,499
CEO-8.2 41 FSC® Genuine Mahogany 3,999
000-Aud. 000-28EC Eric Clapton
Sunburst
39 Rosewood 5,049
000-28EC Eric Clapton 39 Rosewood 4,799
OM-Orchestra OMJM John Mayer 36 Rosewood Martin Thinline®
Gold Plus Natural 1
4,799
0/00 00-42SC John Mayer (12-Fret)
36 Cocobolo 10,299
CEO-7 41 Genuine Mahogany 3,299
00-DB Jeff Tweedy 39 FSC® Certified Mahogany 3,249
Little Martin Ed Sheeran ÷ Signature
Edition
38 Mahogany HPL 1,2 699
LIMITED/special EDITION
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS
EDITION
QTY RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D-200 Deluxe 43 Brazilian Rosewood* 50 $149,999
D-45 Fire & Ice 32 Madagascar Rosewood 39,999
D-42 Purple Martin 31 Figured Plum Katalox 50 13,499
HD-35 CFM IV 60th 44 Siris with Rosewood Wedge 60 9,999
DSS-2018 31 Genuine Mahogany 7,999
CS-CFMartin Outlaw-17 44 Genuine Mahogany 100 6,999
DSTG 45 Sapele 2,799
DST 45 Sapele 2,399
KEY: New Model
Section | martinguitar.com/new
Authentic/vintage Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES
EDITION
QTY RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D-45S Authentic 1936 Aged 28 Brazilian Rosewood* $64,999
D-45S Authentic 1936 55 Brazilian Rosewood* 59,999
D-45V 51 Rosewood 12,299
D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged 58 Madagascar Rosewood 9,999
D-28 Authentic 1937 56 Madagascar Rosewood 8,599
D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged 28 Genuine Mahogany 8,399
D-1 Authentic 1931 (12-Fret) 54 Genuine Mahogany 6,999
D-18 Authentic 1939 56 Genuine Mahogany 6,849
HD-28V i 51 Rosewood 4,699
000–Aud. 000-42 Authentic 1939 54 Madagascar Rosewood 14,999
000-30 Authentic 1919 (12-Fret) 53 Madagascar Rosewood 8,599
000-28VS (12-Fret) 52 Rosewood 4,799
OM–Orchestra OM-28 Authentic 1931 57 Madagascar Rosewood 8,599
OM-18 Authentic 1933 57 Genuine Mahogany 6,599
0/00 00-18 Authentic 1931 (12-Fret) 55 Genuine Mahogany 7,499
00-17 Authentic 1931 VTSB (12-Fret) 27 Genuine Mahogany Domestic 5,999
0-28VS (12-Fret) 53 Rosewood 4,899
00-28VS (12-Fret) 52 Rosewood 4,899
RETRO Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D-45E Retro 50 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance $12,299
D-35E Retro 48 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,599
HD-28E Retro 49 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,599
D-18E Retro 49 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,599
000-Aud. 000-18E Retro 47 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT 3,599
OM–Orchestra OM-28E Retro 47 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,599
0/00 00-15E Retro 48 Solid Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 2,549
LIMITED/special EDITION
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS
EDITION
QTY RETAIL
Ukulele Style 3 Centennial 45 Genuine Mahogany 100 $2,999
4
Section | martinguitar.com/new
Standard Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D-45 16 Rosewood $11,299
D-42 15 Rosewood 7,299
D-41 i 15 Rosewood 5,799
HDC-28E i ∆ 12 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
DC-18E i ∆ 61 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
HD-35 14 Rosewood 3,999
HD-28E ∆ 11 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
HD-28 i 11 Rosewood 3,799
HD12-28 (12-String) 13 Rosewood 3,799
D-35E ∆ 14 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,299
D-35 i 14 Rosewood 3,699
D-28 (2017)i 46 Rosewood 3,399
D-18E ∆ 62 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
D-18 i 62 Genuine Mahogany 3,099
Model America 1 62 Sycamore 3,499
J-Jumbo J-40 21 Rosewood 4,999
M-(0000)
Grand Aud.
M-36 21 Rosewood 3,599
Grand Perf. GP-35E ∆ 24 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,299
GPC-28E i ∆ 23 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
GP-28E ∆ 23 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
GPC-18E i ∆ 61 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
GP-18E ∆ 63 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
000-Aud. 000-42 19 Rosewood 7,299
000-28 i 19 Rosewood 3,799
000-18 59 Genuine Mahogany 3,099
OM-Orchestra OM-42 20 Rosewood 7,299
OM-35E ∆ 22 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,299
OMC-28E ∆ 18 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
OMC-18E i ∆ 61 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
OM-18E ∆ 63 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
OM-28 18 Rosewood 3,799
OM-28E ∆ 18 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
OM-21 i 17 Rosewood 3,349
0/00 00-28 19 Rosewood 3,799
00-18 60 Genuine Mahogany 3,099
0-18 59 Genuine Mahogany 3,099
∆ Also available with LR Baggs Anthem electronics
KEY: New Model
Section | martinguitar.com/new
Performing artist Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought DCPA4 65 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog $1,899
Grand Perf. GPC12PA4 (12-String) 64 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 2,049
GPCPA4 Shaded 64 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 2,049
GPCPA4 64 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 1,899
OM-Orchestra OMCPA4 65 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 1,899
Acoustic Bass BCPA4 65 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 2,199
17 Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
000-Aud. 000-17 Black Smoke ¤ 66 Solid Mahogany $1,999
000-17 Whiskey Sunset ¤ 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
0/00 00-17S Black Smoke ¤ (12-Fret) 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
00-17S Whiskey Sunset ¤ (12-Fret) 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
00L-17 Black Smoke ¤ 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
00L-17 Whiskey Sunset ¤ 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
¤ Model also available with Fishman® Matrix VT Enhance™ electronics for an additional $250.00
16 Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought DC-16E 67 Sycamore Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 $2,399
D-16E 67 Sycamore Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 2,399
D-16GT 68 Solid Mahogany 1,949
Grand Perf. GPC-16E 68 Light Flame Koa Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 2,499
000-Aud. 000C Nylon (12-Fret) 69 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 2,499
000-16GT 69 Solid Mahogany 1,949
15 Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought DC-15ME 70 Solid Mahogany Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 $1,999
D-15M Burst 71 Solid Mahogany 1,899
D-15M StreetMaster™ 73 Solid Mahogany 1,799
D-15M 71 Solid Mahogany 1,649
Grand Perf. GPC-15ME 72 Solid Mahogany Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 1,999
000-Aud. 000-15SM (12-Fret) 72 Solid Mahogany 1,949
000-15M Burst 71 Solid Mahogany 1,899
000-15M StreetMaster™73 Solid Mahogany 1,799
000-15M 71 Solid Mahogany 1,649
OM-Orchestra OMC-15ME 70 Solid Mahogany Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT1 1,999
0/00 00-15M 71 Solid Mahogany 1,649
6
Section | martinguitar.com/new
road Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought DCRSG 74 Mutenye Fishman Sonitone $1,699
DRSG 74 Siris Fishman Sonitone 1,499
DRS2 76 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 1,099
DRS1 76 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 999
Grand Perf. GPCRSG 75 Mutenye Fishman Sonitone 1,699
GPCRSGT 75 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 1,299
000-Aud. 000RS1 76 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 999
X Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D12X1AE (12-String) 84 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone $879
DX1AE Macassar Burst 33 Macassar HPL1,2 Fishman Sonitone 849
DX420◆ 34 Mahogany HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 799
DX2AE Macassar 83 Macassar HPL1,3 Fishman Sonitone 779
DX1RAE 80 Rosewood HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
DX1AE 79 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
DX1KAE 79 Koa HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
DXK2AE 80 Koa HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 729
DX2MAE 33 Mahogany HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 729
DXMAE 86 Mahogany HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 729
DXAE Black 82 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 729
DCXAE Black 81 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 879
DCX1AE 78 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
DCX1RAE 77 Rosewood HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
DCX1AE Macassar 83 Macassar HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
Grand Perf. GPX1AE 79 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
GPCXAE Black 81 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 879
GPCX1AE 78 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
GPCX1RAE 77 Rosewood HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
GPCX2AE Macassar 84 Macassar HPL1,3 Fishman Sonitone 929
000-Aud. 000X1AE 79 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
OM-Orchestra OMCXAE Black 81 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 879
OMXAE Black 82 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 729
0/00 00LX1AE 86 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
00X1AE 79 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
0X2MAE 86 Mahogany HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 729
KEY: New Model
Section | martinguitar.com/new
junior Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
Dreadnought D Jr E 87 Sapele Fishman Sonitone $799
D Jr 2E Sapele 87 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 799
D Jr A 87 Sapele 699
D Jr 2A Sapele 87 Sapele 699