Martin 00-28 has very balanced sound - what other guitars do ?

[wguitar]

Hi,

I love the wonderfully balanced sound of my Martin 00-28 and was wondering if Martin 000's would have the same balance ? Also, what other guitars (different brands and models) would have a very balanced sound ?

THANKS!

[Brucebubs]

It's very subjective.
I see this term used a lot but I don't hear smaller body guitars as 'balanced'.

[Jaden]

I’m not sure if you have a 12 fret or 14, but of the latter I do believe Martin hits a sweet spot, a kind of golden mean of proportion, scale length, etc. within the physical confines of the construction and materials. Going up to 000 body size with standard scale (25.4”) on the OM rosewood, I can say bass is increased, as well as treble - not better balanced, rather arguably, almost overpowered.

[eljay]

Gibson J-185 is nicely balanced across the tonal spectrum

[Tony Burns]

Im kinda fond of how my OM28v sounds -as far as balance is concerned -

[wguitar]

Originally Posted by Jaden

I’m not sure if you have a 12 fret or 14, but of the latter I do believe Martin hits a sweet spot, a kind of golden mean of proportion, scale length, etc. within the physical confines of the construction and materials. Going up to 000 body size with standard scale (25.4”) on the OM rosewood, I can say bass is increased, as well as treble - not better balanced, rather arguably, almost overpowered.

My 00-28 is a newer (reimagined) 14-fret. Also sounds great plugged in thru Fishman Loudbox Artist with essentially flat EQ adjustments (maybe add a touch of reverb and that's about it).

[gretsch4me]

Balanced tone = Martin M-36.

[Rosewood99]

Hundreds and hundreds. Too many to list. Balanced sound in a guitar is not rare.

[SprintBob]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Hundreds and hundreds. Too many to list. Balanced sound in a guitar is not rare.

Thank you, +1 here. String choice and a good guitar setup are parameters also that can contribute to how balanced a guitar can sound.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by wguitar

Hi,

I love the wonderfully balanced sound of my Martin 00-28 and was wondering if Martin 000's would have the same balance ? Also, what other guitars (different brands and models) would have a very balanced sound ?

THANKS!

In the world of "original" Martin designs - (12 fretters of course) the 00 is often regarded as the "ideal" compared to the 000 and 0 - It just works.

[BluesBelly]

Originally Posted by gretsch4me

Balanced tone = Martin M-36.

This.
My Martin M-36 is a remarkable instrument in every regard.
I also have two Larrivee 12 fret 00 guitars that are wonderfully balanced; 00-40M and 00-03MT. Both are long scale 25.5”
I agree with SM that an 00 sized guitar seems to have more MOJO than 0 or 000 sized instruments.
I’m sure there are many well balanced guitars to be had but I can only speak from my experience

Blues

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Hundreds and hundreds. Too many to list. Balanced sound in a guitar is not rare.

I agree with this. My J15 is very balanced.
There are lots and lots of balanced sounding guitars.

[BFD]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

It's very subjective.
I see this term used a lot but I don't hear smaller body guitars as 'balanced'.

Exactly! About the only things I haven't seen regarded as 'balanced' are baritones & backpackers

[cdkrugjr]

Eh . . . I don't like the sound when I play Dreads, but I hear a lot of people playing Dreads that I like.

That doesn't stop me from trying Dreads in case I fall in love with one. "Too much bottom end" for me is just what the next guy is looking for.

Try them all. I don't think my Larivee Parlor is objectively "better" than my Seagull 00. They're just Different.

[Golffishny]

My 00-18 is balanced and I expected my 00-28 to have scooped mids. I'm happy to acknowledge that the 28 is much more balanced than larger rosewood guitars I've played. Seems like a sweet spot.