Best sounding Martin

[hubcapsc]

I think those mustache bridges are funny looking on such a
pretty guitar...

-Mike

[Bunny64]

I've had five Martins. D28 Marquis,D18, M36, D1 and dreadnought Junior in that order. Truth to say the Junior is my favourite because I worked out i like guitars that really resonate and this does. Its also a lovely size to play but still packs a punch. The D1 was a great guitar too for similar reasons. Of the others the D18 was a fine guitar but mine didn't knock me out. The least favourite for me was the Marquis, maybe because I paid a lot for it. I still hanker after a real top end beat up D35 like John Prine used to play.

[Mr. Paul]

You just have to play them yourself. I found the D28 Marquis to be spectacularly disappointing. The only new purchase I have returned because I didn't like the tone.

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

What he said. Take your pick:

D-Dreadnought D-45 John Mayer 25 Guatemalan Rosewood 45 $14,999
D-35 Johnny Cash 37 Rosewood 6,099
D-18 Jason Isbell 38 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Infinity
Matrix
5,999
Dwight Yoakam DD-28 40 Rosewood 5,999
D-28 John Lennon 35 Rosewood 5,499
D-18 RG ◆ 42 Genuine Mahogany 4,699
D-35 Seth Avett 37 Rosewood Martin Thinline®
Gold Plus Natural1
4,299
D-Boak ◆ 42 Genuine Mahogany 2,999
D-420 ◆ 40 Solid Mahogany 2,999
Grand Jumbo CEO-8.2E 41 FSC® Genuine Mahogany Fishman Blackstack 4,499
CEO-8.2 41 FSC® Genuine Mahogany 3,999
000-Aud. 000-28EC Eric Clapton
Sunburst
39 Rosewood 5,049
000-28EC Eric Clapton 39 Rosewood 4,799
OM-Orchestra OMJM John Mayer 36 Rosewood Martin Thinline®
Gold Plus Natural 1
4,799
0/00 00-42SC John Mayer (12-Fret)
36 Cocobolo 10,299
CEO-7 41 Genuine Mahogany 3,299
00-DB Jeff Tweedy 39 FSC® Certified Mahogany 3,249
Little Martin Ed Sheeran ÷ Signature
Edition
38 Mahogany HPL 1,2 699
LIMITED/special EDITION
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS
EDITION
QTY RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D-200 Deluxe 43 Brazilian Rosewood* 50 $149,999
D-45 Fire & Ice 32 Madagascar Rosewood 39,999
D-42 Purple Martin 31 Figured Plum Katalox 50 13,499
HD-35 CFM IV 60th 44 Siris with Rosewood Wedge 60 9,999
DSS-2018 31 Genuine Mahogany 7,999
CS-CFMartin Outlaw-17 44 Genuine Mahogany 100 6,999
DSTG 45 Sapele 2,799
DST 45 Sapele 2,399
KEY: New Model
Section | martinguitar.com/new
Authentic/vintage Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES
EDITION
QTY RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D-45S Authentic 1936 Aged 28 Brazilian Rosewood* $64,999
D-45S Authentic 1936 55 Brazilian Rosewood* 59,999
D-45V 51 Rosewood 12,299
D-28 Authentic 1937 Aged 58 Madagascar Rosewood 9,999
D-28 Authentic 1937 56 Madagascar Rosewood 8,599
D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged 28 Genuine Mahogany 8,399
D-1 Authentic 1931 (12-Fret) 54 Genuine Mahogany 6,999
D-18 Authentic 1939 56 Genuine Mahogany 6,849
HD-28V i 51 Rosewood 4,699
000–Aud. 000-42 Authentic 1939 54 Madagascar Rosewood 14,999
000-30 Authentic 1919 (12-Fret) 53 Madagascar Rosewood 8,599
000-28VS (12-Fret) 52 Rosewood 4,799
OM–Orchestra OM-28 Authentic 1931 57 Madagascar Rosewood 8,599
OM-18 Authentic 1933 57 Genuine Mahogany 6,599
0/00 00-18 Authentic 1931 (12-Fret) 55 Genuine Mahogany 7,499
00-17 Authentic 1931 VTSB (12-Fret) 27 Genuine Mahogany Domestic 5,999
0-28VS (12-Fret) 53 Rosewood 4,899
00-28VS (12-Fret) 52 Rosewood 4,899
RETRO Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D-45E Retro 50 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance $12,299
D-35E Retro 48 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,599
HD-28E Retro 49 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,599
D-18E Retro 49 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,599
000-Aud. 000-18E Retro 47 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT 3,599
OM–Orchestra OM-28E Retro 47 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,599
0/00 00-15E Retro 48 Solid Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 2,549
LIMITED/special EDITION
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS
EDITION
QTY RETAIL
Ukulele Style 3 Centennial 45 Genuine Mahogany 100 $2,999
4
Section | martinguitar.com/new
Standard Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D-45 16 Rosewood $11,299
D-42 15 Rosewood 7,299
D-41 i 15 Rosewood 5,799
HDC-28E i ∆ 12 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
DC-18E i ∆ 61 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
HD-35 14 Rosewood 3,999
HD-28E ∆ 11 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
HD-28 i 11 Rosewood 3,799
HD12-28 (12-String) 13 Rosewood 3,799
D-35E ∆ 14 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,299
D-35 i 14 Rosewood 3,699
D-28 (2017)i 46 Rosewood 3,399
D-18E ∆ 62 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
D-18 i 62 Genuine Mahogany 3,099
Model America 1 62 Sycamore 3,499
J-Jumbo J-40 21 Rosewood 4,999
M-(0000)
Grand Aud.
M-36 21 Rosewood 3,599
Grand Perf. GP-35E ∆ 24 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,299
GPC-28E i ∆ 23 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
GP-28E ∆ 23 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
GPC-18E i ∆ 61 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
GP-18E ∆ 63 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
000-Aud. 000-42 19 Rosewood 7,299
000-28 i 19 Rosewood 3,799
000-18 59 Genuine Mahogany 3,099
OM-Orchestra OM-42 20 Rosewood 7,299
OM-35E ∆ 22 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 4,299
OMC-28E ∆ 18 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
OMC-18E i ∆ 61 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
OM-18E ∆ 63 Genuine Mahogany Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,699
OM-28 18 Rosewood 3,799
OM-28E ∆ 18 Rosewood Fishman Aura VT Enhance 3,999
OM-21 i 17 Rosewood 3,349
0/00 00-28 19 Rosewood 3,799
00-18 60 Genuine Mahogany 3,099
0-18 59 Genuine Mahogany 3,099
∆ Also available with LR Baggs Anthem electronics
KEY: New Model
Section | martinguitar.com/new
Performing artist Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought DCPA4 65 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog $1,899
Grand Perf. GPC12PA4 (12-String) 64 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 2,049
GPCPA4 Shaded 64 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 2,049
GPCPA4 64 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 1,899
OM-Orchestra OMCPA4 65 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 1,899
Acoustic Bass BCPA4 65 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 2,199
17 Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
000-Aud. 000-17 Black Smoke ¤ 66 Solid Mahogany $1,999
000-17 Whiskey Sunset ¤ 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
0/00 00-17S Black Smoke ¤ (12-Fret) 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
00-17S Whiskey Sunset ¤ (12-Fret) 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
00L-17 Black Smoke ¤ 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
00L-17 Whiskey Sunset ¤ 66 Solid Mahogany 1,999
¤ Model also available with Fishman® Matrix VT Enhance™ electronics for an additional $250.00
16 Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought DC-16E 67 Sycamore Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 $2,399
D-16E 67 Sycamore Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 2,399
D-16GT 68 Solid Mahogany 1,949
Grand Perf. GPC-16E 68 Light Flame Koa Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 2,499
000-Aud. 000C Nylon (12-Fret) 69 Sapele Fishman F1 Analog 2,499
000-16GT 69 Solid Mahogany 1,949
15 Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought DC-15ME 70 Solid Mahogany Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 $1,999
D-15M Burst 71 Solid Mahogany 1,899
D-15M StreetMaster™ 73 Solid Mahogany 1,799
D-15M 71 Solid Mahogany 1,649
Grand Perf. GPC-15ME 72 Solid Mahogany Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 1,999
000-Aud. 000-15SM (12-Fret) 72 Solid Mahogany 1,949
000-15M Burst 71 Solid Mahogany 1,899
000-15M StreetMaster™73 Solid Mahogany 1,799
000-15M 71 Solid Mahogany 1,649
OM-Orchestra OMC-15ME 70 Solid Mahogany Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT1 1,999
0/00 00-15M 71 Solid Mahogany 1,649
6
Section | martinguitar.com/new
road Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought DCRSG 74 Mutenye Fishman Sonitone $1,699
DRSG 74 Siris Fishman Sonitone 1,499
DRS2 76 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 1,099
DRS1 76 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 999
Grand Perf. GPCRSG 75 Mutenye Fishman Sonitone 1,699
GPCRSGT 75 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 1,299
000-Aud. 000RS1 76 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 999
X Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
D-Dreadnought D12X1AE (12-String) 84 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone $879
DX1AE Macassar Burst 33 Macassar HPL1,2 Fishman Sonitone 849
DX420◆ 34 Mahogany HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 799
DX2AE Macassar 83 Macassar HPL1,3 Fishman Sonitone 779
DX1RAE 80 Rosewood HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
DX1AE 79 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
DX1KAE 79 Koa HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
DXK2AE 80 Koa HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 729
DX2MAE 33 Mahogany HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 729
DXMAE 86 Mahogany HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 729
DXAE Black 82 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 729
DCXAE Black 81 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 879
DCX1AE 78 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
DCX1RAE 77 Rosewood HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
DCX1AE Macassar 83 Macassar HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
Grand Perf. GPX1AE 79 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
GPCXAE Black 81 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 879
GPCX1AE 78 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
GPCX1RAE 77 Rosewood HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 929
GPCX2AE Macassar 84 Macassar HPL1,3 Fishman Sonitone 929
000-Aud. 000X1AE 79 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
OM-Orchestra OMCXAE Black 81 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 879
OMXAE Black 82 Black HPL Fishman Sonitone 729
0/00 00LX1AE 86 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
00X1AE 79 Mahogany HPL1, 2 Fishman Sonitone 779
0X2MAE 86 Mahogany HPL1 Fishman Sonitone 729
KEY: New Model
Section | martinguitar.com/new
junior Series
SIZE MODEL PAGE BACK/SIDES ELECTRONICS RETAIL
Dreadnought D Jr E 87 Sapele Fishman Sonitone $799
D Jr 2E Sapele 87 Sapele Fishman Sonitone 799
D Jr A 87 Sapele 699
D Jr 2A Sapele 87 Sapele 699

Probably the most reasonable answer to such a broad query.

[L20A]

Best Sounding Martin?
I have played a fair amount of Martin guitars over the years.
These guitars are either owned by other players or at music shops.
Most of them have been great sounding guitars.
Which one sounded the best?

I can't answer that.
They were all guitars that I would love to own.

My one and only Martin is a 1981 D-35.
It is the only Martin that I have ever wanted.
So I guess for me, my D-35 is the best one.

[51 Relic]

For me it's my OODB Jeff Tweedy my only Martin and I love it

[Bunny64]

Originally Posted by Mr. Paul

You just have to play them yourself. I found the D28 Marquis to be spectacularly disappointing. The only new purchase I have returned because I didn't like the tone.

Yes you are right otherwise it’s pot luck and a lot of expenditure

[doublescale1]

I'm completely happy with how my 000-18 sounds - it's a soulful sounding acoustic that is comfortable to play. I loved the 000-18 so much I sold my D-15 to get it. Don't miss the D body at all - I don't play trad. bluegrass un-mic'd so I don't need the acoustic volume a Dred will give you, when I play acoustic out, it's always amplified - I put a Fishman Aura Elipse pickup in the 000-18 and it's the easiest acoustic to dial in live, great mic'd tone .

[Edbuff]

All the Martins I own are the best sounding Martins. The problem is that I keep finding more great sounding Martins.

[ukejon]

I absolutely know the answer to the OP's question but alas it is a secret that I shall take with me to the grave.

Sorry......

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by brencat

I’ve owned a bunch of Martins. To me, the ‘Hall of Fame’ among modern/non-vintage production models includes the following:

D-28 Marquis
D-18 Authentic 1937
HD-28v

I did not include the D-28A 1937 because the neck is unlike most vintage Martins and is incredibly polarizing — super thin in 1st position, becoming a bat by the 6th fret, that people either love it or hate it. The three guitars I listed above are largely universally loved and consistently good sounding.

I like your list. Well thought out. I will add:

D-18 GE (very highly regarded value and tone) if you can deal with the large neck

And I have to add the Limited Edition: Outlaw 17

[Cypress Knee]

I have been fortunate enough to play several of pickaherringbone's (on the UMGF) fabulous pre-war Martins and they are superior in every sonic way to today's modern instruments. Just go to NazFest this year and AB his original '37 D 18 and D 28 against the modern day "Authentics" or "Reimagined" Martins. He also has O body sizes that the fingerpickers adore. Same story.

Here are two parking lot pickers jamming on the '37 D 18 (Blue shirt) and '37 D 28 (Red shirt) last year.

[cu4life7]

Certainly a broad question. On the low end, most certainly the 000-15 and 000-15SM are the best sounding that I've played. I have heard good things about the 17 series but haven't played one yet. Worth checking out.

Mid-range, you can't beat the Standards. The D-18 in particular is heavenly.

Personally, the 000-18GE is my favorite Martin and has been for years. I was finally able to acquire one two years ago. The balance of this guitar, body size, growl, ease of play, beauty, it just checks all the boxes that matter.

The GE's are discontinued, but you can get them from My Favorite Guitars.

Happy hunting.

[texaspicker]

Originally Posted by Troubador

I know this is subjective, but I just want opinions anyway. What is the best sounding Martin guitar, considering both low-end and high-end price-wise?

I just recently picked up a Martin X Series dreadnought with a Fishman Sonitone pickup for under $500 and I must say I am absolutely impressed with how this guitar sounds for the money. It is incredible and perfect in every way!

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by Mr. Paul

You just have to play them yourself. I found the D28 Marquis to be spectacularly disappointing. The only new purchase I have returned because I didn't like the tone.

It just goes to show, to each his own. As I said in a previous post the 2007 Martin D-28 Marquis Madagascar (with the Adi top) sang to me - but to you obviously you got a dud. I will not disagree with your opinion as I myself have noted discrepancies between like models - some of which may not have to do with workmanship but with one or two little things that can be "tweaked" with aftermarket upgrades. Playing time and environmental factors (such as room acoustics and humidity) also come into play.

How we perceive tone also comes into play. For instance, I spent my early adulthood working in aviation and during those few quiet moments where I struggle to fall asleep my ears still ring. It's why I don't really like power tools all that much. It makes conversation in crowded, noisy places difficult but fortunately when I'm alone in a room with a guitar I can still "feel" the music (with my ears and my hands.)