Martin grand performance options

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Sinistral, I've played a GPCPA4R when I bought my GPCRSG (GPC-13) and thought it was pretty dull. It was explained to me that they were straight braced and made to be played plugged in. I also had a used JCPA4R sent to me and it was similar. It couldn't keep up with my Road Series GPC

Right now I'm recovering from surgery on my left hand and I have DR Sunbeams on every guitar. Yesterday morning, I was playing the Road Series and thinking that with these strings, I was thinking that it was better than the GP-28. I got out the GP-28 and it was way better, but the Road Series still isn't a slouch. Most of the GPC's are not like a 0000, only the new 16's are. All the others are 4 7/16 depth.

I have a J-40 and a GP-28. The GP-28 isn't a J-40 but if I was playing and switching guitars between songs and you were sitting across the room, you wouldn't know which was which without looking. You might not even know if you couldn't see the fretboard.

That makes complete sense—the only difference between a 40 and 28 is some bling, which you can’t hear. My J-40 is from the early ‘90’s, so it’s even more subdued (it just has the script logo on the headstock). I should have clarified in my post above that the GPs I’m familiar with are all 13/16 series and similar. A GP-28 would be amazing, but I can’t imagine that there are a lot of left-handed ones out there…

[lowrider]

The GPC's and GP's seem to have been a failure for Martin. Martin buyers just want traditional guitars. The GP-28 is still a traditional looking guitar, but they only made 57 of them.

[marklcfc]

I've found and ordered a GPC16E now in Rosewood, hopefully it works out.

[EZYPIKINS]

I was looking at the GPC16e. Ended up getting a used GPCPA1 for same price.

I love it. Great sound acoustically. I like the Aura F1 electronics.

I had to put 18:1 Grover's on it, as it had 14:1 Martin branded tuners.

Did my setup, and Viola, an inexpensive player that had a $4000 price tag in 2010

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by marklcfc

I've found and ordered a GPC16E now in Rosewood, hopefully it works out.

Congratulations! It's going to be a great guitar. Don't forget to post pics when it arrives!

[jcpharm]

Originally Posted by marklcfc

I've found and ordered a GPC16E now in Rosewood, hopefully it works out.

nice! i would bet that you will be happy with it and it has a better pickup than the Road series too (if that was important to you).

[marklcfc]

It came today. I'm finding the bass quite overpowering though.

It sounds better with a pick than fingerstyle, but I mainly play fingerstyle so now I'm not sure whether to keep it.

[lowrider]

Well, that's a surprise and a disappointment. How much time do you have to evaluate the guitar?

[marklcfc]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Well, that's a surprise and a disappointment. How much time do you have to evaluate the guitar?

I’ve played it for a few hours. I can’t say I’m a great guitarist but the treble sounds quite dull and bass overpowering, maybe I’m just used to very bright guitars.

[jmjohnson]

Ah ya got one!

What strings are on there?

[marklcfc]

Originally Posted by jmg257

Ah ya got one!

What strings are on there?

Martin MA540T. I usually use D'Addario EJ16-3D 12-53

[jmjohnson]

Ugh - it is surprising that with the thinner body the base is overwhelming. Demo videos seem anything but...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G__hvYg7MN0

Seems to have a nice vintage sounding martin tone.

Both those strings are PB, so shouldn't be much difference...I find Im usually trying to tame brashyness with nickels, not make em brighter!

[marklcfc]

Originally Posted by jmg257

Ugh - it is surprising that with the thinner body the base is overwhelming. Demo videos seem anything but...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G__hvYg7MN0

Seems to have a nice vnitage sounding martin tone.

Maybe it is partly my playing. It is crisp and clear with a pick but I don't tend to use one on acoustic. I called the store up and they said I can try it for longer so I'll give it a week.

This is not plugged in by the way.

[jmjohnson]

Crisp and clear is good…but I can understand the thumb thumping the bass strings too.

Hope it grows on you!

[marklcfc]

How does this sound? Bass/treble wise. This is just a phone recording, not plugged in.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zrm...ew?usp=sharing