Martin needs to stop the foolishness!

[ManyMartinMan]

I don't find it that complicated. First narrow down what you want as a buyer - 00, 000/OM, dread, jumbo...... then decide what tone-wood you want. Most people prefer Mahogany or Rosewood. Now that you have wood and size you've narrowed it down to far fewer to choose from. If you're among the people who prefer 1 11/16 vs. 1 3/4 or larger - you've further narrowed it. NOW start looking at what's available. Once you've narrowed down to 3 or 4, have 3 sent to you to evaluate and pick the one you like best. Send the other two back as part of the authorized evaluation process and you've got a killer guitar.

If that doesn't work have GC bring in what you want to try. I've had them do this for years.

[DenverSteve]

Originally Posted by jnf91

Tudor. A Rolex with a generic Swiss movement.

As a Rolex aficionado, I would change that to generic Rolex with a Swiss movement. The label says it all - it's not a Rolex. However, like guitars, buying one trying to get close to a Rolex (like asking who makes a guitar similar to a Martin) doesn't get you the real deal. You'll get a GREAT watch, but it's still a Tudor.

[personatech]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

That's what we are seeing happening at the grocery stores lately -- less choice. It's not good when they choose to eliminate the product that we actually buy on a regular basis.

- Glenn

Exactly. I've noticed the same thing.

[Mobile1]

Can you imagine a person wanting to have a Martin collection with one of every model from the year 2000 to the present?

I wonder how many guitars that would be?

And, what would it cost?

[dwasifar]

Originally Posted by Mobile1

Can you imagine a person wanting to have a Martin collection with one of every model from the year 2000 to the present?

I wonder how many guitars that would be?

And, what would it cost?

Why don't you write to Martin and ask? Who knows, they might have that information handy to reply.

[rabbuhl]

It's modern marketing. You need a model at every price point.

[Tony Burns]

You guys have to stop taking all of this so seriously .

[seannx]

I'm surprised that any regulars who read posts on this forum are surprised by the many choices offered by Martin. Along with Martin responding to today's market, how many times have we seen members wanting specific variations on woods, nut width, finishes, frets, scale length, bracing, etc. Personally, I think it's nice having so many choices, although that can make it harder to make up one's mind.

[Bernieman]

Ish't that those many different models have a price reason too : from the 10 series to the 45s, prices increase quite regularly, and involved features and specs make it so as well...These are the solid wood series, but there are the others too, that will allow to get a Martin from $500 to $10000 or so basically, allowing everyone to get a Martin, according to the money available, amount of interest, needs, tastes and so forth...Nothing really foolish, in my opinion.

[Dudestofferson]

Originally Posted by PTL

Yes, that 000-15Sm is really an OM I think but they call it 000. Odd - but perhaps I misunderstand what makes an OM and OM. (including regular long scale)

000-15sm is *not* an OM.

OMs are generally full scale, 14 fret guitars. 00015sm is obviously a 12-fretter.

It's Martin having two different 000s that gets confusing for some - the 14-fret shorter scale guitar, and the original 12-fret full scale model. (Clapton vs 000-28vs, if you will.)

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by M Sarad

How about a Martin Custom Shop from your Birth Year? Built they same way it would have been then.

Make mine a 1955 D 18.

Hey, neat idea! And I'm right with you on 1955! With that said, a genuine '55 would be way cooler!

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by seannx

I'm surprised that any regulars who read posts on this forum are surprised by the many choices offered by Martin. Along with Martin responding to today's market, how many times have we seen members wanting specific variations on woods, nut width, finishes, frets, scale length, bracing, etc. Personally, I think it's nice having so many choices, although that can make it harder to make up one's mind.

Yes we’re living in a golden age of acoustic guitars - compared to what was available in the early 1990s when I first started looking, nowadays it’s like a gold mine, or in the shops today, I feel like a kid in a candy store.