Opinions requested

[Troubador]

I would like to get votes on which of the following guitars you would prefer, if you were choosing between them, and your reasons why. I want to get one of these as a backup/secondary guitar to my HD-28.

Martin D-13E Ziricote
Martin GC Special 16 Style Rosewood
Martin DR Centennial
Martin HD-16R
Recording King RD 328

[jacot23]

My order if preference:

Martin GC Special 16 Style Rosewood
Martin HD-16R
Martin DR Centennial
Martin D-13E Ziricote

Basing this on vague memories of the GC Special and HD-16R, really vague.

In your list I gave not played a Centennial but I'd still put it ahead of the D13 Ziricote. I despise the Richlite fretboard on D13s and they dont sound anywhere near as good as D-16s I've played; I've played 2 different D-13 Ziricote.

Have you considered the recent D16 Rosewoods with the 000 depth? I played one of those last Saturday at a Guitar Center and it was really good for 1299 used.

I simply wouldn't purchase the Recording King. I played one 2 weeks ago and while I liked the soft V neck the string spacing was not wide enough on that one nor did it sound good.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by jacot23

My order if preference:

Martin GC Special 16 Style Rosewood
Martin HD-16R
Martin DR Centennial
Martin D-13E Ziricote

Basing this on vague memories of the GC Special and HD-16R, really vague.

In your list I gave not played a Centennial but I'd still put it ahead of the D13 Ziricote. I despise the Richlite fretboard on D13s and they dont sound anywhere near as good as D-16s I've played; I've played 2 different D-13 Ziricote.

Have you considered the recent D16 Rosewoods with the 000 depth? I played one of those last Saturday at a Guitar Center and it was really good for I think 1100 used.

I simply wouldn't purchase the Recording King. I played one 2 weeks ago and while I liked the soft V neck the string spacing was not wide enough on that one nor did it sound good.

Thank you for your valuable post. I have not considered the D16 Rosewood with the 000 depth, but I will do so now, based on what you said. I remember reading someone saying they didn't think it sound as good as the GC Special 16 because of the 000 body depth. How would you compare the two?

[jacot23]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Thank you for your valuable post. I have not considered the D16 Rosewood with the 000 depth, but I will do so now, based on what you said. I remember reading someone saying they didn't think it sound as good as the GC Special 16 because of the 000 body depth. How would you compare the two?

It's been a long time since I played the GC Special but it doesn't sound quite as good, but it's close; very slightly diminished bass and perhaps not quite as loud.


https://youtu.be/h4F-16v7VnU

Scroll down and find the videos tab:
https://www.maurysmusic.com/inc/sdet...od/2710/184947

[L20A]

When I was looking for a gigging guitar, I picked the Martin GPC 16 Special Rosewood.
Love the body size and the neck.
The sound was what really sold me on it.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by jacot23

It's been a long time since I played the GC Special but it doesn't sound quite as good, but it's close; very slightly diminished bass and perhaps not quite as loud.


https://youtu.be/h4F-16v7VnU

Scroll down and find the videos tab:
https://www.maurysmusic.com/inc/sdet...od/2710/184947

Are you saying that you think the D-16E w/ 000 depth doesn't sound quite as good as the GC Special?

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by L20A

When I was looking for a gigging guitar, I picked the Martin GPC 16 Special Rosewood.
Love the body size and the neck.
The sound was what really sold me on it.

What is GPC -- is that the Guitar Center 16?

Edit: I found my answer -- it's the Grand Performance.

[jacot23]

Yes, that's what I meant. The D16(000 depth) doesn't sound quite as good as a GC Special; again it's been a long time since playing with a GC Special.

The D16(000 depth) does sound quite a bit better than a D13 to ME.

[cc132]

My actual answer wasn't an option, but if it were, I would have selected "none of the above." None of these guitars are likely to be as satisfying as your HD-28, and given that you only have two hands, I'm not sure that I understand the utility of buying a second, lower-quality guitar.

What exactly is buying one of these going to add to your life? I would get it if you were looking for a different body shape, or a twelve string, or something like that, but I'm not sure I understand the purpose of buying a dreadnought to go with your other, better dreadnought.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by cc132

My actual answer wasn't an option, but if it were, I would have selected "none of the above." None of these guitars are likely to be as satisfying as your HD-28, and given that you only have two hands, I'm not sure that I understand the utility of buying a second, lower-quality guitar.

What exactly is buying one of these going to add to your life? I would get it if you were looking for a different body shape, or a twelve string, or something like that, but not buying a dreadnought to go with your other, better dreadnought.

Well, as I've answered elsewhere, I want something I can take to places I wouldn't want to take a $3500 guitar.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by jacot23

Yes, that's what I meant. The D16(000 depth) doesn't sound quite as good as a GC Special; again it's been a long time since playing with a GC Special.

The D16(000 depth) does sound quite a bit better than a D13 to ME.

Makes sense, and I respect your opinion. Thanks

[Troubador]

For those who have voted for the Recording King, I hope you will say why you did. I need all the help and opinions I can get.

[Rev Roy]

Which ever one sounded best to me. Hopefully in person. But if that wasn’t possible then which one sounded best on the video reviews I respect.

[foxo]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Well, as I've answered elsewhere, I want something I can take to places I wouldn't want to take a $3500 guitar.

I use the Martin 000-15m for this purpose.

The only guitar I have played in your list is the DR Centennial when I was looking for a lower cost alternative to the D-28. Even at the very reasonable sale price of £1500 it didn’t impress me. Tone was thin and anaemic.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by foxo

I use the Martin 000-15m for this purpose.

The only guitar I have played in your list is the DR Centennial when I was looking for a lower cost alternative to the D-28. Even at the very reasonable sale price of £1500 it didn’t impress me. Tone was thin and anaemic.

Thank you for that assessment of the DR Centennial.