Replace a Martin HD28V

Louisguitar · #1 12-12-2018, 11:07 PM

Hi all,
I’m a lucky owner of a Martin HD28V, but now I have the possibility to replace it with a better guitar.
My problem is that I like fingerstyle (Pierre Bensusan), but I love the Martin sound, so I would like to buy another Martin guitar and not other brands like Lowden, Goodall ecc. ecc.
Now I could replace my guitar with three guitar:

-D28 Marquis
-OM42
-D42

Do you think that with one of these guitars I would have an improvement?

The guitars are far from where I live and so I would like some advice before going to play them in person.

Thanks

Brucebubs · #2 12-12-2018, 11:30 PM

Have you seen the new 2018 Martin J-40 with 1 3/4" wide nut?

It's a 0000/M size body with 4 7/8" depth like a dreadnought.

JayBee1404 · #3 12-13-2018, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Have you seen the new 2018 Martin J-40 with 1 3/4" wide nut?

It's a 0000/M size body with 4 7/8" depth like a dreadnought.

Precisely what I thought when I read the OP. My old J-40 was the best-sounding guitar I've owned, by a margin, and it was only its skinny 1-11/16" LP neck that persuaded me to dispose of it in favour of an OM.

That conundrum has been solved by the new 1-3/4" MLO/PA Taper neck, and I'd love one of the new 'Re-imagined' J-40s.

Aaron Smith · #4 12-13-2018, 01:58 AM

There have been an army of fingerstylists that got around a Martin D-28 just great, 1 11/16” nut and all. Unless you’re after different playing feel (nut width, scale length), my opinion is that once you get to the HD-28v other dreads may not necessarily be “better”, just different. Since I’ve had my HD-28v I’ve compared it against Marquis, Authentics, boutique builders... I don’t feel like I’ve played another dread that was objectively better in my hands. Is there a specific difference that you’re looking for?

NotveryGood · #5 12-13-2018, 02:41 AM

Im curious as to what you mean by a "better" guitar? If you are happy with the sound,feel and comfort of the guitar you already have, then a "better" guitar may not exist! But then I guess thats why so many of us (me included) change instruments so often,in search of the elusive "better"! Sometimes we already own it. It might be worth considering "as well as" rather than "instead of"

coolhand78 · #6 12-13-2018, 03:25 AM

in terms of better in the martin range, the only way up IMO would be the authentics. If you want something different from a dread then maybe try out the 000, J40, OM's and see if you like them, otherwise you could order a custom guitar..? They wont necessarily be better, just different... and there's also nothing wrong with that either.

jonathanemra · #7 12-13-2018, 03:40 AM

I think youd be hard pressed to find a better guitar honestly... more expensive sure, but a hd-28v is an amazing guitar. Better for fingerstyle though, I think youd find that the comfort of the OM allows for better control of the fingerbord, and for the style you describe, that could come in handy. Also, the separation of notes will be better. Youll have to give up the sound of strumming an open E though, the bass and the overtones are not there, for the reasons i just described

zoopeda · #8 12-13-2018, 06:12 AM

I’ve had many Martins come through my house:3 or 4 HD-28V, D-28&35, D-28 Marquis, OM-28 Marquis, and others. I agree with others that once you hit the HD-28V, until you get to the Authentics, the tone is just preference more than anything. Just a killer guitar (that won’t sound any different from your proposed D-42 by the way). I actually prefer the HD-28V to the D-28 marquis, but you’ll hear lots of varied opinions on that. (Although the marquis series does have the wider string spacing you like.).

And, personally, for what it is, I much prefer the OM-28 Marquis to the D marquis (and I’m a dreadnought guy!...finally settled on a deep body custom version of the OM marquis and couldn’t be happier.)

If you’re not looking at an authentic D-28, then take your time and play a lot of guitars before you unload that guitar. Remember, if you buy used on reverb, at the right price, you often lose very little, if any, on resale. That gives you a nice opportunity to have another guitar in the house for a month while you decide which one to sell. Your ear is all that matters; don’t make the mistake of letting us decide for you. Good luck, and have fun!

jbeecham · #9 12-13-2018, 06:17 AM

I'm not sure you'll find something 'better' but here are my thoughts.
The D-28 marquis will be louder and slightly more balanced than the hd-28v. The mod v neck feels bigger. It is a versatile, all around instrument.

The pre-2018 om-42 has a low profile neck while the current model has a mlo neck. This guitar is not as loud or bass heavy, but it has that famous shimmer. It has a very balanced sound in comparison. It has a delicate sound.

I don't have enough experience with a d-42 to comment.

Jerry

ripdotcom · #10 12-13-2018, 06:21 AM

The OM-42 is going to be the best fingerstyle guitar from the group you listed.

Side1LedZepIV · #11 12-13-2018, 07:27 AM

Keep the HD-28V. Consider adding an 0M-28 or perhaps a 000-15SM.

Louisguitar · #12 12-13-2018, 05:50 PM

Thanks for your suggestions, I know that my HD28V is a great guitar, but I believed the Marquis with Adirondack and golden era bracing was an upgrade of the HD28V.
Yes, the OM is different and moreover a Martin dread is a must to have because for strumming is legendary and the HD28V is also good for fingerstyle.
So the best decision is keeping the HD28V and buying another guitar like Lowden or Goodall.

zoopeda · #13 12-13-2018, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louisguitar

Thanks for your suggestions, I know that my HD28V is a great guitar, but I believed the Marquis with Adirondack and golden era bracing was an upgrade of the HD28V.
Yes, the OM is different and moreover a Martin dread is a must to have because for strumming is legendary and the HD28V is also good for fingerstyle.
So the best decision is keeping the HD28V and buying another guitar like Lowden or Goodall.

Why not keep the HD-28V and buy an OM-28 Marquis?

Marcus Wong · #14 12-13-2018, 11:18 PM

You could also consider upgrading to a small workshop guitar like Collings which is my personal preference over Martin. Or even going with a solo luthier who does Martin style guitars - my personal favourite would be Bowerman Guitars which is quite affordable.

praga37 · #15 12-14-2018, 06:29 AM

Why not acquire a true vintage 000, OM or even an old D-28??... There's something about an opened-up vintage guitar that even top shelf new guitars can't attain...