Fingerstylists - which Martin?

[BluesBelly]

I have OO, OM, and M-36 Martins. Size difference not withstanding my favorite is the M-36 with the 1-3/4” nut. The 2018 and up models have a 1-3/4” nut. 2017 and down are 1-11/16” nut.
My reasoning is justified by the clarity and playability of the M-36 As well as it’s versatility both finger style and with pick. When played in a live setting with a mic it’s tough to beat.
The M-36 has excellent tonal balance as well as volume balance.
Have fun shopping,

Blues

[HodgdonExtreme]

Originally Posted by BluesBelly

I have OO, OM, and M-36 Martins. Size difference not withstanding my favorite is the M-36 with the 1-3/4” nut. The 2018 and up models have a 1-3/4” nut. 2017 and down are 1-11/16” nut.
My reasoning is justified by the clarity and playability of the M-36 As well as it’s versatility both finger style and with pick. When played in a live setting with a mic it’s tough to beat.
The M-36 has excellent tonal balance as well as volume balance.
Have fun shopping,

Blues

My instructor has an older 0000-28, which I'm about certain is the same as an M36. It's a truly fabulous guitar that I am totally jealous of. I've been coveting the benchmark D-28 for quite some time, so I recently bought one... It was tough to choose it over an M36.

[vindibona1]

One of the great un-sung Martins is the M36.

[BluesBelly]

Originally Posted by vindibona1

One of the great un-sung Martins is the M36.

I’ll be first in line to vouch for that!

Blues

[Mr. Paul]

The 0000 size is often brought up in these discussions. M36, M38, 0000-28, 0000-18. I have found this size to do what OMs do, only better.

[TJNies]

Originally Posted by loco gringo

M36. It's a OOOO body.

I'd agree the M / 0000 bodied Martin are wonderful. If you have the budget, an 0000-18 with Sinker Mahogany would have the same balance as OM - 000 bodies, but have a bit more bass.

I had one but sold it only because the OM-18 Sinker was a bit better for my size; I had listed it for sale but pulled it, and someone contacted me and begged me to sell it to him. I was persuaded and he loves it for finger style.

[TJNies]

Originally Posted by Acoustic Wolf

Has anyone tried the Martin Grand Performance models, and how do you feel they compare to Taylor Grand Auditoriums for fingerstyle purposes? Personally, I quite like Taylor Grand Auditoriums in DADGAD. Would the signature Martin tone make their Grand Performance models a bit muddier in DADGAD, or would you say that they are relatively balanced as well?

I owned a Martin GPCPA-1 Plus. It was really not that great acoustically, and I sold it fairly quickly.

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by Mr. Paul

The 0000 size is often brought up in these discussions. M36, M38, 0000-28, 0000-18. I have found this size to do what OMs do, only better.

I owned an M-38 for 10 years - lovely guitar and a great instrument for fingerstyle.

Best,
Jayne

[cdkrugjr]

I go back and forth on whether I prefer 000 or 00. For My playing, Dreads wind up being too boomy, and a bit too large for my arms.

I stumbled on a Larivee P-09 which has beautiful clarity for finger style, ideal for showing off ALL the shortcomings of my playing...

My son, five inches taller, plays only Dreads, but he’s more of an aggressive strummer than anything else, whereas the first thing I wanted to learn was to Travis pick . . .

[oldwasichu]

I'm quite smitten by the 00-42SC (slightly larger width at nut, 1 7/8"). Maybe a little ornate for some, but it's a tone monster.

[mcduffnw]

I would suggest the Martin OOOO-M series guitar style, either a 0000-18 or 0000-28 M series, either Sitka or Red Spruce depending on whether you like Mahogany or Rosewood color to the timbre of the tone.

I don't know if Martin currently offers it other than custom shop, but a 0000-42, especially a slot headstock, would be my ultimate choice. I am a fingerpicker/fingerstyle player, and basic rhythm strumming. I play and sing John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, Don McLean, Don Williams...that kinda stuff...especially John Denver...huge JD fan. I do some basic fingerstyle instrumental stuff as well, along the style lines of Ed Gerhard, my fave. So that is where I am coming from as far as what I like in a guitar.

With the OOOOM series Martin bodies, you get the overall big, open and round resonant tone and timbre, and power and bass response of a dread, but with a wee bit more firmness, focus, and dynamic response...IMO...and a much more comfortable body to hold sitting.

I think they are gorgeous looking too!

I like the rounder, deeper, and more open resonant tone and timbre of a bigger body...AND...really love having the extra bass power when I want it. The problem, for me, with the OM/OOO and smaller body sizes is that you can run into issues of boxy or tight tone, and lack of bass power and response, and while the boxy timbre issue sometimes resolves itself as the guitar breaks in over time, the lack of bass response does not, and there is nothing you can do to gain bass response if you don't have it from the get/go. To me, the OOOO body size is the perfect melding of body and tone shapes.


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[vindibona1]

Originally Posted by TJNies

I owned a Martin GPCPA-1 Plus. It was really not that great acoustically, and I sold it fairly quickly.

I agree. I have a buddy that plays one occasionally in one of my acoustic groups. I wasn't that impressed with the sound. You can find a better sounding guitar for 1/3 of the money.

[pattste]

I had the opportunity to try one of the new Martin OM-28 Modern Deluxe at a Martin clinic last summer. It remains the best production guitar I've had the chance to play and I'm not usually a Martin guy.

[vermonter]

I love my CEO-7, even though I'd prefer a 1 11/16th nut. I've got small hands. But it's got the sound I want. You'll probably get as many suggestions as there are Martin owners who fingerpick here, ha.

[fongie]

00-18V is one of my favourite. Followed by 000-18 or 000-28.