NGD and Shootout! 2004 Merrill C-28 Adi/Honduran vs 2009 Merrill C-28 Adi/Coco

[brencat]

I just picked up an incredible 2004 Merrill C-28 in Adi/Honduran RW from my buddy Jim (llew) and thought it would be fun to do a shootout against the 2009 C-28 in Adi/Cocobolo that I bought last year.

Both guitars are the finest Martin-inspired dreads I have ever played or owned. Awesome tone, terrific playability, nice full sized soft-v necks, with 1 3/4 nut and 2 5/16 spacing. Similar weight on both too... right around 4 lbs 9oz.

The C-28 Honduran is a touch louder and more woody sounding, while the C-28 Coco has a smooth rich midrange and deep dark lows. The 2009 Coco will be headed in for some TLC soon...it needs a complete refret and possible neck reset as well, but still plays great and puts up a good fight against the 2004 Honduran in the comparison to follow.

I'll let the forum decide though... Enjoy the photos and the sound samples, and please vote for your favorite.

[Zissou Intern]

First off, nice picking. The Honduran is very nice, but the coco is fantastic, at least to my ear. There is a depth and richness to the tone and a thickness to the individual notes that I really like.

[Matts67]

Coco wins it for me. Both sound fantastic and you’re lucky to own either, let alone both. But I do like the extra darkness and depth of tone the Coco model offers.

[BrunoBlack]

Nice pickup Brendan. What happened to “definitely not adding” from 2 weeks ago?
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...72#post6674572

Congratulations and enjoy.

[brencat]

Originally Posted by Zissou Intern

First off, nice picking. The Honduran is very nice, but the coco is fantastic, at least to my ear. There is a depth and richness to the tone and a thickness to the individual notes that I really like.

Originally Posted by Matts67

Coco wins it for me. Both sound fantastic and you’re lucky to own either, let alone both. But I do like the extra darkness and depth of tone the Coco model offers.

Thank you both for listening. The Honduran is the more powerful guitar, but the frets on the Coco are on their last legs. I think when it comes back from the shop it should be a more fair fight.

Originally Posted by Haasome

Nice pickup Brendan. What happened to “definitely not adding” from 2 weeks ago?
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...72#post6674572

Congratulations and enjoy.

Haha Paul — yeah you got me good there! I just never expected Jim to ever sell that guitar and when I got the email, I couldn’t resist. There may be less than 800 Merrills in the wild so this was an opportunity not to be missed. And I’m not really “adding” because I’m gonna let one or two others go shortly

Thanks so much.

[Scotso]

coco for me...Merrill hogs suck. Sell it to me for cheap and I will donate it to a nice home.

[stephenT]

They both sound excellent and congrats.

I owned a Merrill OM-18k for awhile. Even tho I prefer 00 sized acoustics and I wasn't blown away w/ koa,... selling the Merrill may be my one guitar faux pas,.. oh well.

[llew]

Originally Posted by Haasome

Nice pickup Brendan. What happened to “definitely not adding” from 2 weeks ago? .

I'm afraid that's my fault Paul! I was really asking Brendan for some pricing guidance as I was considering selling the Merrill. Next thing you know I'm shipping it to him! I'm just glad it went to a really good home! Enjoy it Brendan!

[Organic Sounds Select Guitars]

Brendan, fantastic!! Congrats, two wonderful guitars! For your style of playing, I found myself leaning ever so slightly towards the Honduran. But I have a feeling that in person, I might lean the other way. Both sound great, and very nice playing too by the way. Very cool, happy for you!

[rgregg48]

Sounds like a very good D'28
And that ain't bad!

[Brevver2]

I love those dark low-mids on the coco. Adds a punch that really suits your style of play.

[EllenGtrGrl]

Both are great sounding guitars. I'd have to say I prefer the cocobolo. It has a very warm and smooth sound, and the bass is fantastic. It also seems soundwise, to be be a bit more of an all around guitar, whereas the rosewood Merril to me, seems very much like a bluegrass cannon.

[brencat]

Originally Posted by llew

I'm afraid that's my fault Paul! I was really asking Brendan for some pricing guidance as I was considering selling the Merrill. Next thing you know I'm shipping it to him! I'm just glad it went to a really good home! Enjoy it Brendan!

I sure will Jim. Been playing it whenever I get the chance. Stunningly good guitar -- thanks again pal.

Originally Posted by Organic Sounds Select Guitars

Brendan, fantastic!! Congrats, two wonderful guitars! For your style of playing, I found myself leaning ever so slightly towards the Honduran. But I have a feeling that in person, I might lean the other way. Both sound great, and very nice playing too by the way. Very cool, happy for you!

Appreciate it Larry, thanks for listening!

Originally Posted by Brevver2

I love those dark low-mids on the coco. Adds a punch that really suits your style of play.

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

Originally Posted by EllenGtrGrl

Both are great sounding guitars. I'd have to say I prefer the cocobolo. It has a very warm and smooth sound, and the bass is fantastic. It also seems soundwise, to be be a bit more of an all around guitar, whereas the rosewood Merril to me, seems very much like a bluegrass cannon.

I'd agree with this assessment. The Coco C-28 is absolutely an all-arounder type of guitar, but the Honduran is pretty good too. It's just drier like Mahogany would be. We are still getting to know each other but both will get plenty of lap time.

Can't believe the lead that the C-28 Coco has in this shootout though. I thought for sure you guys would pick the Honduran in a landslide for its clarity and volume, but ya'll seem to like the rich smooth voice of the Coco instead. What do I know?

[Zissou Intern]

Originally Posted by brencat

...I thought for sure you guys would pick the Honduran in a landslide for its clarity and volume, but ya'll seem to like the rich smooth voice of the Coco instead. What do I know?

You obviously know how to pick two great Merrills.

[TBman]

I like the 2009 28 with the Coco, but I'm a DADGAD and CGDGAD player and prefer a softer, darker tone.