What do you think of the Martin Custom Shop Authentics?

[cc132]

I’m in the market this year for a high-end acoustic. This is a pretty big purchase for me, and I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by the available options.

I just played a Martin Custom Shop 000-28 Authentic that was so good it was heartbreaking. I’m not typically a rosewood guy, but this guitar just had that special something. As an added bonus, the salesperson was an older gentleman who loves John Fahey as much as I do, and he did me the pleasure of playing through a few Fahey bits so I could hear it from the other side. It was great. Really just superb.

Big purchases are always a little overwhelming for me. I could go buy that guitar right now and have a guitar I’d absolutely cherish. On the other hand, this would also mean that my hunt would be over, which is kind of a bummer.

What do you think of these custom shop Authentics?

[Gas]

If you love it...buy it. I would. Plus I hate you....

[jklotz]

Your talking about the 1937 OOO-28 Authentic? I've got one and love it. I always wanted an authentic, but the lack of a truss rod was a deal breaker for me. When I played this one, I knew I'd have to have it. What version are you looking at? The natural top or the aged one? I understand they have a slightly different tone. Mines the natural one.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by cc132

I just played a Martin Custom Shop 000-28 Authentic that was so good it was heartbreaking.

How many times has that happened with other guitars you've tried? If the answer is zero, break out the plastic. If the answer is >0, then probably keep looking.

Of course the correct answer is to buy it *and* keep looking. You're welcome.

[cc132]

Yes, it’s the custom shop with a truss rod that came out in 2021 I believe.

In terms of how many guitars I’ve played that were heartbreaking, it’s definitely not many. I played an old Kalamazoo Oriole a decade ago that I’m still kicking myself for not buying. It’s definitely not an every day experience for me.

[Borderdon]

“When in doubt, do it”
- if they speak to you, you (usually) have no choice.

[jmjohnson]

“…my hunt would be over…”

HAHAHA! Yeah I said the same thing when i got my D-45.

Lasted all of 8 months. (Got an 000-28).

Go for it.

[Rev Roy]

Absolutely LOVE my Custom Shop D-28 Authentic 1937! But then every Authentic I’ve played has been fantastic. IMHO they are the best guitars Martin has built in decades…and the only current Martins of interest to me. If you find one you like, snag it.

[Slimt]

I own one. A 39, 000-42 Im quite happy with it.

[brencat]

Originally Posted by cc132

I just played a Martin Custom Shop 000-28 Authentic that was so good it was heartbreaking. I’m not typically a rosewood guy, but this guitar just had that special something. As an added bonus, the salesperson was an older gentleman who loves John Fahey as much as I do, and he did me the pleasure of playing through a few Fahey bits so I could hear it from the other side. It was great. Really just superb.

What do you think of these custom shop Authentics?

A bunch of us on the forum here own them. I have the D-28CAA (Custom Authentic Aged). It is the best Martin I have ever played or owned — old or modern, in 10 years at this hobby. Neck shape, power, responsiveness, playability, aesthetic….Martin just killed it with this model. Further, I prefer the reverb and tonal color of EIR over Madagascar, which sounds very dry by comparison.

Don’t bet it will be your last guitar, or your last Martin…

[martingitdave]

I just bought the D-28 version of the custom authentic expert ‘37. The 000-28 was outstanding. If you are near Chicago I may know the guitar and the salesman. :-). If it’s the one I played, it will haunt you.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Absolutely LOVE my Custom Shop D-28 Authentic 1937! But then every Authentic I’ve played has been fantastic. IMHO they are the best guitars Martin has built in decades…and the only current Martins of interest to me. If you find one you like, snag it.

Whoah Rev! Your new authentic is a beauty. What a set of spruce and rosewood on that one!

[CopyCat]

Those 000-28 CAs are out-of-the-park stellar instruments.

[llew]

Like Roy and Brendan, I have a D-28 CAA and it's a great guitar. Still trying to get it dialed into my preferred setup but even a bit off (setup wise) it's a stellar guitar!

I'd like to try the 000-28CAA but it's unlikely as no decent shops where I live... Buy the Martin. There will always be another "hunt". Don't let a guitar that speaks to you slip away. Too many sad stories of just that circulating on this forum. Don't add your sad story to the collection...

[Steve DeRosa]

The guitars CFM IV & Co. should be building as RPO...