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Martin 1937 Authentic D28 vs. other boutique brands
AGF Good folks,
Looks like the Martin Authentic series are in strong demand and liked by players a lot Is there anyone from the boutique brands - Huss & Dalton, Collings, Bourgeois, Santa Cruz etc. - that may be a better or a strong candidate to compare against these authentic series (preferably with Madagascar Rosewood)? Would love to hear your thoughts/ feedback or anecdotes, if any !! Cheers, V
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Lowden O23C Atkin D37 Aged Guild: D55 | F55e H&D TDR Custom Collings D1A | CJ Mh McPherson MG 5.0 XP Cedar Froggy Bottom Model K | SJ Gibson: J-45 Banner Reissue Taylor: 714CE Cedar | 717 BE Martin Custom Shop: 0000-18 Sinker | D18 Sinker | D35 Wild EIR | D28AA 1937 Martin: D18 (1973) | D35 | J40 | D41 | 000-28 EC Five River Guitar |
#2
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In my opinion, any of those four brands you named. They all make superb guitars. Just depends on what you like.
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#3
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I had a Madagasgar Rosewood 1931 Authentic d-28 and I still have
a Kopp Madagasgar Rosewood AJ... both amount to the highest-end most detailed guitars I've ever had. We like to play and hear our guitars, but these expertly built guitars are also jaw dropping to me to just look at... here's a couple of pictures of the Martin... Here's my J-35 ... A few months ago there was a lady on Reverb selling her Granddaddy's pristine J-35. I'm pretty sure it was a great J-35, but it was real boring looking... -Mike |
#4
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I owned one until my shoulder went bad. It was a sweet sounding but powerful guitar. Be warned that some people don't like the graduated thickness of the neck, and if you're a singer/strummer this guitar puts out a lot of sound.
The other brands you mentioned make wonderful guitars as well, so it comes down to which sound you prefer.
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Keith Martin 000-42 Marquis Taylor Classical Alvarez 12 String Gibson ES345s Fender P-Bass Gibson tenor banjo |
#5
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The other boutiques you mentioned make great guitars and also tap tune/hand voice each top, whereas Martin does not. However, tone is very personal, as is playability. From a playability perspective, I like Santa Cruz the best out of the group of 4 you mentioned. I own two, and they are so responsive and easy to play, but don’t have the power of a typical Martin or Collings. They are more finesse instruments. So it depends what you want. Good luck!
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Merrill | Martin | Collings | Gibson |
#6
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I am here to spy on this thread. So don't mind me. [emoji102]
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#7
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Quote:
Chime in if you find anything exciting
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Lowden O23C Atkin D37 Aged Guild: D55 | F55e H&D TDR Custom Collings D1A | CJ Mh McPherson MG 5.0 XP Cedar Froggy Bottom Model K | SJ Gibson: J-45 Banner Reissue Taylor: 714CE Cedar | 717 BE Martin Custom Shop: 0000-18 Sinker | D18 Sinker | D35 Wild EIR | D28AA 1937 Martin: D18 (1973) | D35 | J40 | D41 | 000-28 EC Five River Guitar |
#8
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I’ve got a Martin Reimagined D41 and it’s a GREAT example of the Martin sound. The best-sounding Martin I’ve ever played was a ‘37 D28 Authentic Aged, but I hated the neck on it. I’ve got an Aged Tone Bourgeois Vintage D with torrefied Banjo Killer bracing and it’ll match the ‘37 volume-wise, but it’s a different tone than the Martin. I found out through a recent thread, that my description of tone doesn’t match what a lot say about tone, but the Martin, to me, has a super warm tone and is Loud and my Bourgeois has a very dynamic, brighter sound. Both amazing guitars and if the necks were different, I’d own a ‘37 D28 AA.
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Education is important! Guitar is importanter!! 2019 Bourgeois “Banjo Killer” Aged Tone Vintage Deluxe D 2018 Martin D41 Ambertone (2018 Reimagined) 2016 Taylor GS Mini Koa ES2 |
#9
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I am getting D-18 GAS and I have a tendency to go overboard when it comes to my guitars. I am totally confused by everything I have read about the different Authentics their bracing and necks. And, no, I can not go play one without incurring a large travel expense. The confussion has backed me off to looking at a possible recent D-18. Even then the reimagine thing vs a D-18 that is recent makes one question that also. Thanks Martin.
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Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini Creativity comes more easily with a good dose of fool |
#10
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I recently acquired a Martin ooo-28 Authentic 1937, so not the D28 you are asking about, but maybe this will help. I also own a Huss and dalton TOM-R and a Collings OM2h baked. The Martin is fantastic. It is, in no way, inferior to the other 2. It's the best Martin I've ever played.
In my case, I have 3 different flavors and I really enjoy the variety. It really just boils down to what you are looking for and what your ears and hands tell you is the right direction. |
#11
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#12
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Brands like PreWar Guitar Company seem like their main competition now. I personally have really liked the Santa Cruz Tony Rice Pro Models I've played but they aren't really in the same league as the Martin Authentics. Since the SCGC TR Pros cost about double the money now.
John Slobod of Circa guitars builds one of the best Martin D-28 style guitars I've played.
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Crazy guitar nut in search of the best sounding guitars built today and yesterday. High End Guitar Review Videos. www.youtube.com/user/rockinb23 |
#13
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Walker Clark Fork (Adi/Honduran Rosewood) Edmonds OM-28RS - Sunburst (Adi/Old Growth Honduran) ”Stumblebum Blues” on the Walker Clark Fork (Advanced Jumbo) ”Hydro Genesis” on the Walker Clark Fork (Advanced Jumbo) |
#14
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I tend to prefer Collings, but that is just a personal tendency. I have owned a couple of Bourgeois and own a Santa Cruz. And have owned other fine guitars. Sometimes I choose a guitar because it has a captivating tone (Goodall, Webber, some Bourgeois), sometimes I choose a guitar for balanced tone and good string to string separation (especially for a finger style guitar, like my Santa Cruz OM), sometimes I choose a guitar for volume (my Collings D2HG is great in a jam), sometimes the playability of a guitar is irresistible. Usually, it is a combination of several factors (especially when I have good guitar, but think I have found a better guitar…meaning the “better” one might be just about as good in two or three areas, but provide particular strength in an area that the “good” guitar might be noticeably weaker). I don’t usually like Martins that have a significant mid-range scoop, or that are overly thumpy. But I have owned a Martin, and have come very close to buying some others….and the Authentics are strong contenders. It just depends on the tone, feel, and volume you are seeking. |
#15
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Well let’s see. I have boutique brands and the Martin 37 aged authentic. They are all different. When I play with others, especially in a bluegrass jam, it’s the Martin. It is powerful in a way none of the others can match. Best sounding D 28 around too. Playing by myself or just with a bass and whatever, I’ll use whatever other guitar I feel like. I love all the guitars own. If I only had one, it would be the Authentic. Note: all disclaimers apply.
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Rockbridge DDS Huss & Dalton TD-R Martin 50th D35 Martin D28 1937 Aged Authentic John Walker Lochsa Roberts Slope Dread Johnny Rushing Ditson Style 12 Fret Beard Goldtone Resonator Bob Thompson Slope Shoulder |
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Tags |
bourgeois, collings, huss & dalton, martin authentic, santa cruz |
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