#1
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Advice: hunting for a new Martin, but which one?
Hi everyone,
In this lockdown I could really use your help and expertise while picking a new guitar! Sorry for the long post, but let me try to explain.. For a long time now I feel an urge to add a Martin guitar to my collection. I have several reasons to do so, among others the rich sound, but also the history of the guitar company and the beautiful minimalistic looks. The fact that countless guitar players, both amateur and professional, enjoyed Martin guitars throughout the years also adds to this. Wanting to buy another guitar also comes from a vague feeling that I'm missing something, currently not having the right guitar for my style of playing and music preference. For example, the last several years this got more focused on playing solo without a band, more fingerpicking/picking-strumming and simply having another music preference. Less rockmusic, more modern folk, singer-songwriter music (e.g. influenced by artists such as Ben Howard, Tallest Man on Earth, Coner Oberst). Years ago, when I played for just a few years or so, I bought my first serious acoustic; a Gibson J-185 EC (maple, 2006). Maybe a bit over the top for a relative beginner, but that was the guitar that I wanted back then, largely based on looks and the ability to plug in. It's quite a big guitar with a big sounds, great for chords. To get the most out of the guitar it asks for a lot of power when playing. Because of my attachment to the Gibson I won't part with it, and therefore I'm searching for an addition to this guitar that better suits my current needs and preferences. Looking for a Martin with a rich and full bodied sound that goes well with fingerpicking and strumming/picking combinations, that doesn't ask too much power when playing (like the jumbo does), so one that also work when playing a bit more subtle but still has a deep and beautiful sound. Obviously I will test several guitars before buying de definite one, but while I'm in lockdown I want to take this time to do research and trying to figure out what I want. I started looking at the Martin D-28, but then also the OM-28 got my attention. Again, my apologies for the long message, but I could really use your experiences, expertise and opinion about this. So thanks all for taking this time! |
#2
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Welcome to the AGF and maybe add a Martin J-40 to your list.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#3
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To me it sounds like you're looking for a 000/OM, probably rosewood. Probably 1/4" scalloped braces and 1 3/4 nut. You might also like mahogany, so definitely try a 000-18 or similar. Try a 00 as well.
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Keith Martin 000-42 Marquis Taylor Classical Alvarez 12 String Gibson ES345s Fender P-Bass Gibson tenor banjo |
#4
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Welcome aboard! Either of those two guitars would be an excellent choice.
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#5
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I was in a similar position once, only I was upgrading from an early 90s all-laminate Yamaha that I'd owned since new. Long story short, I went with the HD-28. I wanted rosewood more so than mahogany, and I was intrigued by the forward-shifted bracing. And the Martin name, well, that speaks for itself.
All we can do here is relay our own anecdotes but at the end of the day, only you can decide which one is the one. You already have a grand auditorium so maybe try switching it up with a dread? |
#6
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Quote:
My OOO-18 is a great melodic guitar As well as my OODB (not produced anymore). Some would also suggest OO/OOO-15 (all Mahogany) Maybe you could look at Taylors, as 322, 412/414, 512/514/524 or 714.
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Needed some nylons, a wide range of acoustics and some weirdos to be happy... |
#7
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When people think "Martin" they automatically think of the higher end iconic lines.
But my favorite is the all mahogany 15 series. And I think Martin does mahogany better than anyone. If you want a delicate feel, go for a small body guitar like an 000. If you want deep rich, velvety sound, go for a -15
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Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter" 000-15 / GC7 / GA3-12 / SB2-C / SB2-Cp / AVC-11MHx / AC-240 |
#8
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Keep scale length in mind also. OM's are long scale. 000/00 are short scale. The exception being the 15 series but then nut width is narrower for most of those outside of the 00015sm. Happy hunting!
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD |
#9
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agree with the suggestions above to try out. if during your trial and error research you are looking for a bigger sound than the OM/000 sizes also consider the M-36 (kind of a 0000-size) if the dreadnought is not to your liking.
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#10
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Quote:
000 and OM are all long scale The difference between an 000 and an OM is the nut width only. I know this deeply because the 000-15 short scale were a custom shop order only that Martin is not currently entertaining repeating
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Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter" 000-15 / GC7 / GA3-12 / SB2-C / SB2-Cp / AVC-11MHx / AC-240 |
#11
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Advice: hunting for a new Martin, but which one?
Quote:
Hey Fazool, I believe the 000-15 and 000-17 are long scale. The 18,21,28 are short- per my experience. I thought the nut width tended towards 1&3/4 on both the 000 and the OM. If I’m wrong it won’t be the first or last time. |
#12
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Welcome to the AGF!
I'd go with the 000-18 all day long. Supremely versatile and quite comfy with a short scale. scott |
#13
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I was referring to standard series. The OM28 & 00028 are both 1 3/4" nut. The 00028 is short scale and the OM28 is long scale. Sorry for any confusion.
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD |
#14
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I am a huge fan of the Martin 000-18 short scale. I think it’s a similar feeling guitar to the J-185, but it won’t have the Maple brightness, instead a more fundamental clean tone from the mahogany b/s.
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#15
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I’d be prepared to audition personally, several examples before committing my finances.
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McCollum Grand Auditorum Euro Spruce/Brazilian PRS Hollowbody Spruce PRS SC58 Giffin Vikta Gibson Custom Shop ES 335 '59 Historic RI ‘91 Les Paul Standard ‘52 AVRI Tele - Richie Baxt build Fender American Deluxe Tele Fender Fat Strat |
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advice, martin, new guitar |
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