Help me choose (Martin)

[Scotso]

Originally Posted by GHalliday

Given that you are primarily a finger-style player, I would suggest a 000 or OM. They tend to be better balanced than a dread. Dreads are more bass heavy and the mids and treble can suffer as you move up the neck.

THIS^^^^^ If you are looking for a fingerstyle couch monster then smaller body.. maybe even a 00

[Kittoon]

I have a nice D-18 but it gets played the least. The 4 OM’s I have are so much more comfortable to play. A dread on a couch is too awkward and “bulky” for me to play for any length of time. I’d get a smaller instrument and a really nice chair.

[woodbox]

Originally Posted by jp2558

0000 aka an M. M-36 to be specific. Martin’s best kept secret.

I agree with jp2558.

I’ve been a Martin owner for over 55 years, and over the last 30 years,
I’ve probably owned about 50 of them, in many configurations -
Jumbo, Dreadnaught, OM, 000, 00, 0, made with Rosewood, Mahogany, Maple, even an Ovangkol model.
(almost bought Cherry a couple of times, but never pulled that trigger)

And although a 000-18GE was my personal favorite for many years,
my close second was an M36.
I actually had 2 of them at different times.

And if I were to go looking for a Martin now, my first call would be to buy back my old M36.

All things considered, it was the most balanced and comfortable Martin of them all.

[EZYPIKINS]

Voted the 000-28. Have a serious want for one of these. Have the 000-15. Love the size and scale. Would like the rosewood version.

[Methos1979]

I voted 000-18 since you said you're primarily a fingerstyle player and the 000-18 is pretty much the Swiss Army Knife of the Martin line - it does it all. That said, the D-18 is also a standard bearer of the brand and has just a HUGE sound so it would be a good option. I've owned two 000-28EC's and both were outstanding guitars so that would be a good option if you prefer the tone of rosewood over mahogany. But if you really like mahogany than you should consider their all-mahogany lines of 000 or even 00-15/17's. Smaller body and awesome dry woody warmth is a fingerstyle dream. And they are usually less expensive then your listed models. As for the 000-28VS - that is the only Martin I've ever owned that I absolutely did NOT like. Which was odd because I loved the 00-28VS. Go figure.

[Hey_day]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. Leaning towards 00018 at this point. The 28 or 21 models are tempting too but just watching the market at this point.

[Birchtop]

Originally Posted by Hey_day

Thanks to everyone for the responses. Leaning towards 00018 at this point. The 28 or 21 models are tempting too but just watching the market at this point.

Good call, can’t go wrong with that choice.

[shakespearouac]

Modern Deluxe series.
I sold my 1967 000-28 Martin earlier this year because I couldn't get to loving the neck. 4 months ago I bought an almost new 2020 OM-28 Modern Deluxe from an AGF member for under $3000.
My OM is the only one in the Modern Deluxe series I've played, but I find it phenomena — AND, I'm a long-time fancier of used high end, and boutique custom built.

[shakespearouac]

about the reply ". . . If you don't know whether you want/need a dread , or a 000, and you don't know whether you want hog or rose, and you don't know whether you want a 12 or 14 fret ........ then I suggest that it isn't an appropriate time to go shopping."
In my bubble I'd say, Yeah, but, but . . . appropriate? I don't need no stinkin' appropriate — I want!
GAS is a core element of our breed, and gas rises.

[bufflehead]

I voted for the 000-18. I consider the D-18 a better guitar, but if you're not performing, I don't see a compelling reason to invest in a dreadnaught--it's not a couch guitar at all.

I like what someone said about the 000 being the Swiss-army knife of Martin guitars. My 000-15m certainly feels that way.

[emtsteve]

Originally Posted by bufflehead

I voted for the 000-18. I consider the D-18 a better guitar, but if you're not performing, I don't see a compelling reason to invest in a dreadnaught--it's not a couch guitar at all.

I like what someone said about the 000 being the Swiss-army knife of Martin guitars. My 000-15m certainly feels that way.

Vote for 000-18 too. And love my 000-15M as well. Swiss army knife/guitar if there ever was one.

[zoopeda]

Don’t make your decision until you play a twelve fret. What you get in tone you’ll never miss in two extra frets. 000-28vs is my favorite of the bunch you mentioned. (It is standard scale, like a dread, FYI). If you want mahogany, there’s a reason the D18 and short scale 000-18 are so popular. The 000-28 is the boxiest sounding to my ear, overbraced and less responsive to me, but to each their own. Have fun!

[boneuphtoner]

You can't go wrong here with those choices - if you like fingerstyle a 000 or OM might be better - for the fingerstyle I play, I like the 0000 size the best - fingerstyle depth of tone close to a dread but more responsive. The Gruhn sinker mahogany 0000s are the best guitars I've ever played.

[Cool555]

I voted for the Swiss Army Knife, 000-18. I love my 00-15m. So for me, a 00-18 is good too. If there was a second choice, it would be the 000-28.

[rmp]

I find those smaller bodied (non-dread) martins very appealing!