Who Makes Martins Better than Martin?

[AHill]

Originally Posted by Napman41

That was a bit cynical though spot on. I'm guessing that he/she has spent an awful long time lurking here on the site and have seen this type of topic follow the exact roadmap that they posted. I'll gladly follow them over their next 500 posts if they are even half as insightful and entertaining as #23. ��

Reply deleted.

[zmf]

Originally Posted by AHill

I edited my OP to define "better".

Well OK then. The question has been refined. Which takes it to a whole new level. Unfortunately, the word "better" is going to evoke major tirades -- which will include "better for who", "it's all personal taste", "my favorite is ......" etc., etc. etc.

Deja vu all over again.

[gitarro]

The best martin style OMs I have played were made by tj Thompson (but assembled by martin), Wayne Henderson and Lynn dudenbostel. I have also played a Merrill that was excellent but did not sound at all like a Martin but having more overtones more approaching somogyi type level of responsiveness. But then again I have not played a prewar martin but only more modern martin guitar so for all I know vintage Martins may sound like that Merrill...

[ahorsewithnonam]

It's pretty simple really:

Only Taylor makes Taylors
Only Martin makes Martins
Only Santa Cruz makes Saints Cruses

Only Mercedes Benz makes a Mercedes Benz
Only John Deer makes a John Deer


Got it?

[Tony Burns]

i can tell you imo who makes great guitars but which one makes your boat float is your personal choice . I have a martin OM28v -its a great guitar , not a good guitar- a great guitar . i also own a Mike Franks Brazilian Legacy Dread , its a great guitar -but it has a a different sound -one i really like as well ( its not a Martin -but its own animal ) - so you have to try different quality guitars and see what floats your boat wether it be a
Guild , Martin , Collings or what ever -good luck and have fun in the search for the one.

[drplayer]

Originally Posted by Bowie

Well, I hope you can respect that some of us don't have a problem with the premise and have an opinion. Topics like this are bound to ruffle feathers, especially with the brand-loyalty that Martin has. The best we can do is respect that we all have opinions and preferences. I've purchased Martin-style guitars that I thought were better than the Martin version, but I totally respect that some people would not make that same choice, and might think my guitar was too heavy in overtones, or not heavy enough in the bass. Doesn't make them wrong or me right. Just means we have opinions about which is the superior Martin STYLE guitar.

Fair enough. But if we're talking about traditional style builds here, aren't all non-Gibson type guitars "Martin STYLE" guitars? And if so, then isn't it really moot to ask which style of Martin is better, when we are really comparing brands, not "styles"? So IMO, the question isn't who makes a better Martin D-28, it's, who do you think makes the best traditional standard scale 14-fret dread.

[Fattymagoo]

Originally Posted by Authentic

First you'll get the "nobody makes a better Martin than Martin" guys.

Then you got the "insert boutique $4,000 brands" guys.

Then you got the "insert name of obscure independent luthier whose guitars are the best I've ever played and he lives in my town and you should try his guitars" guys.

Then you got the "argue over the definition of what is a Martin" guys.

Then you got the "I will never buy another Martin again after insert random bad experience" guys.

Then you got the 11+ pages of arguing and the thread is closed for having veered too much off topic from original question.

This reply was perfect, except that you forgot the "Blueridge/Recording King/Silver Creek guitars are just as good at a fraction of the price" crowd.

[rct]

Originally Posted by Authentic

First you'll get the "nobody makes a better Martin than Martin" guys.

Then you got the "insert boutique $4,000 brands" guys.

Then you got the "insert name of obscure independent luthier whose guitars are the best I've ever played and he lives in my town and you should try his guitars" guys.

Then you got the "argue over the definition of what is a Martin" guys.

Then you got the "I will never buy another Martin again after insert random bad experience" guys.

Then you got the 11+ pages of arguing and the thread is closed for having veered too much off topic from original question.

You left out "Eastman makes every part of every one entirely by hand for thousands less."

rct

[Bowie]

Originally Posted by drplayer

Fair enough. But if we're talking about traditional style builds here, aren't all non-Gibson type guitars "Martin STYLE" guitars? And if so, then isn't it really moot to ask which style of Martin is better, when we are really comparing brands, not "styles"? So IMO, the question isn't who makes a better Martin D-28, it's, who do you think makes the best traditional standard scale 14-fret dread.

Well.... Not really, because you come into things like bracing (Larrivee symetrical for example) and other considerations that make many differ from the traditional Martin style significantly but I don't think either of us want to drag this out into minutia and I think we both see where each other is coming from, and I'm cool with that.

[JohnW63]

I suspect that if it sounds a lot like a Martin D35 ( I think the OP asked about ), but with "More" of what the OP likes about the D35, then that would fit the bill.

So, if a few people that have D-35s would define just what a D-35 sounds like to them, we could go on that bit of data to suggest a brand/model that " Does it better " .

It may be that he may have to spend a bit more for what is suggested, but as long as it stays in the stated budget, that would be OK, I think.

[muscmp]

no one. only martin makes martins. other may make copies and they may be subjectively better but they are not a martin made by martin.

play music!

[Sanban]

Originally Posted by ahorsewithnonam

It's pretty simple really:

Only Taylor makes Taylors
Only Martin makes Martins
Only Santa Cruz makes Saints Cruses

Only Mercedes Benz makes a Mercedes Benz
Only John Deer makes a John Deer


Got it?

Thank you! Who lets these threads go on past page 1?

[zmf]

Originally Posted by muscmp

only martin makes martins.

But the question is now who makes a better Martin.

Is the answer still Martin?

I have a feeling that the answer is yes. Or no.

[Andromeda]

Originally Posted by AHill

This was mentioned in another thread, but I'd like some opinions. Specifically who makes a better D-28 or HD-35 type of dreadnought?

By better, I mean more consistent sound from guitar to guitar, and better quality in build. I am specifically interested in spruce / EIR tonewoods. I like the sound of that combination. Cost is secondary, but given an HD-35 MAP is $3229 or thereabouts, I'd like the answers to be in the $3000-4000K range. I'm not looking to spend $6K+ on a new guitar. I'm also not looking for a dread that sounds like a Taylor. I'm looking for a dread that sounds more like what the a good Martin D-28 or D-35 sounds like. Flat picking or strumming would be the main style of play.

And, yes, I know I can just buy a Martin. Just wanting to open up my options for consideration.

What is "Better" is a very subjective experience and people have their tastes and preferences. So if you really prefer the Martin Tone you will by default prefer the Martin Tone over Taylor for example. It doesn't mean one is inherently "better" than the other, comparisons such as these only communicate what we like and prefer.

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by PiousDevil

Answers will be Collings, Huss & Dalton, Santa Cruz

Absolutely NOT^^^

None of those fine guitars is better than a comparable level of quality Martin...and NONE of them sounds either a little...or alot...like the actual Martin "Martin" tone.

Really...if you want the Martin sound...the Martin tone...the Martin dynamic response...

Buy a Martin

end of story

duff