Your First Martin, what would you buy?

[CASD57]

Of course on a budget of $1200 or less
I've got a nice Yamaha A3M but I'd like a Martin
I'm looking at the Classic D custom for $979. Or a DRS2 for $829 .or ??
I really like a refined tone, lots of.overtones. All opinions welcomed

[Boozehound]

Are you comfortable buying used? Can you stretch the budget a few hundred if need be? You are almost in the range of a used D18, which I would highly recommend over a Custom D or a DRS2. Get a standard series if at all possible. You will be glad you did.

[SKYHIGH]

000-15M if new. Or I would save $300 more and look for Post-2012 D-18 if you prefer Dread.

[Erithon]

If you can, I would buy used. You'll get the most value for your dollar, if you decide to sell the instrument down the road you won't lose as much money (and may even come out ahead), and you probably won't have to suffer the psychological trauma of that first ding. I'm mostly joking with the latter, but the first two are well worth considering.

I saved up for my first guitar. I wanted a Martin so I did research to identify what I was looking for and searched around on Craigslist, etc. I found a great used guitar that I kept for nearly 7 years, until I sold it (for $300 more than I paid) because I discovered my hands preferred 1-13/16" nut width to 1-11/16" nut width.

[WWDIII]

I spent about the same for my first Martin a month or two back. I bought a new DRSG, I think it was $974 with my online GC discount.

That's what I would do, I have not complaints. Very nice guitar for the money.

[Jcamp]

I’d recommend saving a bit more and getting a sponsor to sell u a brand new d18. There are also several used D18s in the classified that are close to your price range that maybe you can check out if someone else ain’t already got them. If you are set on new with a 1200 max then check out the martin D15 series. I’ve played multiple ones and have liked them all. I personally like the looks of the street master the best and am still fighting the urge to get myself one

[Jim]

Buy whatever you like, but if it were me I would save up a bit more and get either a D-18 or D-28 in order to get the real Martin sound. If I was too eager to wait to save enough for a new one I would buy a used one in excellent condition.

[Wade Hampton]

Look for a used Martin OM-21. More tone per cubic inch than just about anything else Martin makes.

You might have to save up more money than $1200 to get one, but you might get lucky and find a "cosmetically challenged" one at that price. They're terrific guitars.


whm

[Rmz76]

Originally Posted by CASD57

Of course on a budget of $1200 or less
I've got a nice Yamaha A3M but I'd like a Martin
I'm looking at the Classic D custom for $979. Or a DRS2 for $829 .or ??
I really like a refined tone, lots of.overtones. All opinions welcomed

I always believe you should buy what feels right to your hands and ears, but since you are asking for a general opinion, I think you'd probably find your A3M superior to anything in the Martin Road Series (including DRS2). I've heard good things about the Classic D Custom, but haven't played one so I can't comment on it... I will echo the suggestion to look at Martin's USA built series. 15 series aren't very far from the price on the Custom D... Used 18 and 28s can be had for $1600-$2000 if you are willing to accept a few nicks. You're likely buying a Martin because you want a traditional look, sound and feel... might as well save just a little more and get one of their iconic models and not just trading up to have something all solid with the Martin brand on the headstock.

[TDavis]

My first Martin was a new 000-18, but if I could do it all over again knowing even what little I know now...I’d shop & find me a good used D-18. You can find a late model “Reimagined” one a couple years old for Just a little more than your budget, and I’ve never heard anything but praise for them.

[Tico]

Your first Martin?
Multiple upgrades makes money go poof.
Buying your last guitar first may seem expensive, but in the long run it's cheaper.

In 1977 at age 19 I bought a new D-55, Guild's top of the line dreadnought.
Though very expensive for me at my income then, 41 years later it has cost me only 4 cents a day.
But most importantly it's a guitar I have never felt the need to 'upgrade'.
No money for this guitar went poof.
Plus I have enjoyed the daily thrill of playing a D-55 for 41 years.

IMO I'd save more and wait till you can afford a Martin standard series D-18 or D-28, depending on the tonewood you prefer.

[3notes]

Originally Posted by CASD57

Of course on a budget of $1200 or less
I've got a nice Yamaha A3M but I'd like a Martin
I'm looking at the Classic D custom for $979. Or a DRS2 for $829 .or ??
I really like a refined tone, lots of.overtones. All opinions welcomed

I understand your want of a Martin. Classic guitars. But for the same money you can do better for yourself.

Play everything in that price range and choose the best tone that satisfies you.

[lukeap69]

My first Martin was a 000-17E. Besides Taylor 324ce, the other guitar on my shortlist was the 000-15M. I have played all three in the stores on multiple occasions trying to determine which one I like the best. I like the size of any of these three compared to a dread. I already have a Seagull S6 at home.

Then a couple of weeks after buying the 000-17E, I had a chance to play the newly arrived D-28. Stupid but I returned the 000-17E and brought the D-28 home. Ergo wise I like the 000-17 hands down including light strings. But there you go, I can't unhear the sound I got from the D-28 so that's what I have now and still very happy.

[TBman]

My first Martin (and only one so far) is a D-16GT. New they are about $1,500 but I just saw a used one on Reverb for $1,000.

I play finger style (yes on a dread) and its great. For strumming and flat picking I'm sure its fine too.

[Steve DeRosa]

Call Ted @ LA Guitars and ask for a deal on a new 000-15SM - may be the only acoustic guitar you ever need...