Martins Forever

[highvibrational]

Hi all,
Are there many of you out there who feel that you will always be a Martin player no matter what? It could be because of its simple looks and distinctive tone or historic legendary status. I've played many other makes but I find that I always go back to my Martins and doubt this feeling will ever change. It helps that they never interfere with my singing. Yes, my Gibson J-45 is also great in that regard, but it's almost like I need that thud to know that all's right with the world. It's that "oh yeah" sound and feeling. Just enough and not too much.

I wonder if there are others who feel this way.

Cheers,
HV

[JKA]

No. Martins hate me and just want to put up a fight! Since getting rid of my D45 for a Guild D55 life has become a whole lot easier...and more enjoyable

[Tnfiddler]

No. My D41 pretty much lives in its case, due to my Bourgeois Vintage D owning it sound and playability-wise.

[SalFromChatham]

I love guitars period. Gibsons especially. But no doubt I also love when I get to play my buddys' D41s D35s and D28s.

[MikeInBethesda]

No - especially since I have discovered Atkin guitars which are like similar Martins in many respects but with more resonance, consistency and equal to or better playability.

[stephenT]

YES. With qualifications.

I'll play whatever thills me. Currently it the main fingerpicking' units are a 00-28, a 00-15m custom and a Waterloo WL-12.

[Rogerblair]

My J45 is irreplaceable, Martins are optional.

Rb

[mattwood]

With my most recent purchase, I probably will be but that doesn't mean I won't have other brands that I play as well. Besides, forever is not as far away as it used to be.

[29er]

Although I do love the tone of my 000-15S I have come to dislike the neck profile since buying a couple of Waterloo's with a beefier profile. Any thin profile neck hurts my hand after just a few minutes of playing.

[RvrDxn]

There was a time I felt that way but then I got a J-45 that, for me, could never be replaced by a Martin. Oh, and my LG-2 . . . Martin makes some amazing instruments but Gibson is just a better fit for me and my voice.

[woodbox]

Been a Martin owner for over 55 years... yes, I started young... and my first guitar - 1928 0-18 - will someday live at my Sons.
But till then I’ll play it regularly.

It is actually going to a midday gig with me tomorrow.
Yes, it gets to be happy playing and hearing folks sing along.

So, yes I’ve always had a Martin and always will.
HOWEVER
not exclusively.
There’s something about a Gibson J45 you just can’t get anywhere else.
And those Santa Cruz 1929 models .. oh my!
I had a Webber 00 .. the memory still makes me smile.
And then there was the ...

[El Cheapo]

I love Martins too.

I've been through a lot of them and finally found the one that does everything I need an acoustic guitar to do, and it's the Dreadnought Jr. believe it or not.

[brencat]

I will always be a fan of the Martin vintage voicing, but not necessarily of Martin guitars. My biggest issue is their neck profiles...absolutely the worst of all the major builders. Aside from the shallow profile of their popular MLO/PA taper neck, the other annoyance for me is the abrupt edge where the fingerboard meets the neck. If they just rolled that edge like so many boutique builders do, it would be a game changer for Martin. Sadly, they only do this on the D-28 Authentic Aged.

In the meantime, until Martin necks get a lot thicker and the fingerboard edges on all standard series guitars are rolled, I will ride off into the sunset with my Merrills -- vintage Martin voicing, chunkier necks, and Santa Cruz-like playability.

[Rev Roy]

No. In fact, once I got on the boutique band wagon I thought I’d probably never go back to Martin. Great guitars and I’ve owned many over the years (D-41, D-28, D-18, CEO-7, Custom Shop OM-18, etc.) but to my ears and hands the Collings/Bourgeois guitars I played were a cut above. That changed, though, when I finally got hold of a Martin Authentic (see sig.). It’s on par with the boutiques in my book. So I’m happily back in the Martin fold. But not exclusively.

[Borderdon]

I love my Martin’s, but as someone said elsewhere “whichever guitar I play, they all sound like me “ !!
Some like chocolate, some vanilla, it’s all good.