Martin D35, HD35, D28P, HD28?

[atran3]

I cant decide which guitar to get!!! I have the d28, hd28 and d35.

Initially I liked the D35 the most! however, after thinking about it, and looking at videos, I think the d35 is too muddy sounding? like the notes resonate too long? I also kind of experienced that myself

I found the HD28 to be a bit bright....is this in my head? and I dont like the aesthetics, (pick guard, herringbone detailing....)

I didnt like the feel of the d28. The sound was good. I love the playability of taylor guitars so was maybe thinking about the d28P? Is there a difference in sound between the d28 and d28p?

My friend told me the best guitar she has ever played was the hd35. havent tried it How ever I am afraid it will be too muddy like the d35.

My inspiration is ben howard, who uses the d28. Why is he using the d28 over the 35? is it cause it gets muddy?
I love the sound when he plays (keep your head up) which is a nylon classic taylor. Its darker, not bright or metallic sounding.

A little bit about myself.

Ive been playing for 6 months. I got started to surprise my girlfriend on a date. (She still doesnt know I play, so something that sounds dark and warm so I can play for her at the park or something ) I want to start performing/singing in local bars/lounges, so something that doesnt get too overwhelming.

THanks!

[Brucebubs]

Just to be a little different, try a Martin J-40. Beautiful guitars, probably overlooked by people who seem to go straight to the dreads. Give one a try, you may be pleasantly surprised!

[atran3]

Also I try to be more fingerstyle. I just like the sound of picking more than strumming.

And I heard the D28 ages better than the HD28. The HD28 and HD35 eventually gets mushy?

[Misty44]

I have the d28, hd28 and d35.

and still unsatisfied (maybe?) and really don't know what sound (too muddy? too bright?) you want?

What motivated you to get the above three, and why not a Taylor since you like their playability?

You need to play more guitars, let your ears decide what you sounds right to you, not Howard or the tube or anyone here. From what you've said, the nylon is the front runner.

Figure out what pleases you, and then to thy self be true.

I voted D-35 because 35 is more than 28.

[Landru]

I played over 100 Martins when I was looking - it got to the point where I knew the product very well, well enough to make an informed decision. When I played a Martin D-28 Marquis, it blew away every other Martin I had played. I'm not saying the Marquis is the best Martin, just that I had played enough to decide that it was the best for me. I did not have to ask, I knew.

Do this before you buy. And try a D-28 Marquis, or an OM-28 Marquis. Adirondack tops are pretty darn incredible, and the Marquis has one. The guitars you're looking at don't.

Best of fortune.

P.S. I think the 35 series is rather expressionless - just my opinion.

[atran3]

Sorry guys I meant I have TRIED THE D35 D28 and hd28 haha


Why is the d35 the one everyone is recommending? Doesnt it sound to muddy because of the long resonance? will this go away with age? once it opens up?

Also Is it possible to change a pick guard on a hd or a d28 marquis to a different color? I like the all black look

[atran3]

Also why the d35 over the HD35?

[Dru Edwards]

I went with D-35 because that's the only one that you said you liked, even if you used the term "initially liked". You mentioned playing the hd-28 and d-28 but you didn't explicitly state that you played the D-35, only that videos made you change you mind. Have you played the D-35?

One thing worth mentioning is make sure each guitar has new strings on it ... old strings just kill the tone and may impact your decision not to buy.

And Welcome to the AGF!

[atran3]

Thanks! The main reason I didnt like the d28 was because of the neck but wont the d28p solve the problem? I think the d35 sounds too muddy for fingerstyle/picking; will it break in and that will go away? what about the hd35?

[estayton]

Well, maybe the D-28P is a good choice if you like the lower-profile neck. I believe the bracing is the same, so it should sound the same as the D-28 minus any affect from the neck. It also has slightly wider nut (1 3/4" instead of 1 11/16") and saddle (2 3/16" instead of 2 1/8") which could be a benefit for fingerstyle.

I auditioned a D-35 for an all-rounder and I liked it better than the D-28 and HD-28, but that's just me. I didn't find it muddy, but it is more lightly braced than the D-28.

I haven't played an HD-35 myself, but I have heard that the scalloped 1/4" bracing may be too much of a good thing, especially with age. This is purely repeating what I have heard.

[Dreadful]

All guitars within the same model can have a slight difference in tone, the D-28P should basically sound like a D-28, as the only difference is the P neck which has a wider 1 3/4 nut and slimmer profile. If you like the D-28P neck, go for it.

The D-35 is more bass dominant (it does not sound "muddy" to me) because of lighter 1/4" straight bracing compared to 5/16 for the D-28. The HD-28 has scalloped bracing which also gives a stronger bass.

The D-28 is very balanced and will sound better over time. I have one, along with other Martins that have scalloped bracing. The D-28 has an iconic tone that I never get tired of.

[budglo]

So you have been playing for 6 months. It sounds like you need to try out some more guitars. I wouldnt call the D35 muddy or the HD28 too bright. I would just continue to play a bunch of guitars. I am curious how you initially liked the D35 and after thought it sounded muddy.

[BigLoopDuke]

I've had a HD28, a D35 and a D28.

Of the three, I probably enjoyed the HD28 the most. But, I like a bright, powerful cannon.

IMO, the D35 didn't really blast out the sound. It more or less hugged the room with sound, like a Bose speaker system might. It filled everything nicely and IMO, would be nice for a solo singer/songwriter.

The HD28 cut through anything. The one I had seemed to have much more power and tone than the D28. I'm not sure why. The 28 and I didn't last. I'm hoping to one day capture the magic of the HD28 again.

I did play a HD35 yesterday, which was interesting. I was A/B'ing it against the Seth Avett 35 in the shop. The HD35 had so many overtones. It was a beautiful guitar. Ultimately, though, I'd probably still go with a HD28.

[brencat]

Hi OP and welcome to the forum. I have been playing for close to 2 years now and am in my early 40s. My tastes have changed dramatically since the 6 month mark and yours likely will too. However, you have selected 4 iconic Martins and I would recommend you add the new (2012 version) D-18 to that list, even though it is mahogany and you have listed 4 Rosewood guitars. Just a terrific instrument with something the other 4 lack a bit... which is a strong midrange tone.

Just my opinion, but I liked the HD-35 the least out of the 4 you indicated. It has a bass response that literally drowns out everything else. It's too overwhelming, frankly, at least to my ears. Also, the D-28P with the Performing Artist neck has been discontinued, but the regular version D-28 with the Low Profile narrow neck & string spacing lives on.

Best of luck in your search... and take your time.