The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 03-09-2021, 05:04 AM
WouterGrover WouterGrover is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 2
Default 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!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-09-2021, 05:20 AM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Eden, Australia
Posts: 17,792
Default

Welcome to the AGF and maybe add a Martin J-40 to your list.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-09-2021, 05:42 AM
musicman1951 musicman1951 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 4,994
Default

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.
__________________
Keith
Martin 000-42 Marquis
Taylor Classical
Alvarez 12 String
Gibson ES345s
Fender P-Bass
Gibson tenor banjo
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-09-2021, 05:47 AM
Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,195
Default

Welcome aboard! Either of those two guitars would be an excellent choice.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-09-2021, 06:51 AM
InsertNameHere InsertNameHere is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 65
Default

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?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-09-2021, 06:55 AM
mawmow mawmow is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Quebec city, Qc, Canada
Posts: 2,690
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by musicman1951 View Post
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.
+1
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.
__________________
Needed some nylons, a wide range of acoustics and some weirdos to be happy...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-09-2021, 07:22 AM
fazool's Avatar
fazool fazool is online now
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 16,562
Default

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
__________________
Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter"

000-15 / GC7 / GA3-12 / SB2-C / SB2-Cp / AVC-11MHx / AC-240
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-09-2021, 07:23 AM
Bob from Brooklyn Bob from Brooklyn is online now
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hamilton Square, NJ
Posts: 4,090
Default

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!
__________________
Martin D18
Gibson J45
Martin 00015sm
Gibson J200
Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA
Guild G212
Eastman E2OM-CD
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-09-2021, 07:32 AM
jcpharm jcpharm is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 442
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-09-2021, 08:06 AM
fazool's Avatar
fazool fazool is online now
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 16,562
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooklyn Bob View Post
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!
No.....that's incorrect.


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
__________________
Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter"

000-15 / GC7 / GA3-12 / SB2-C / SB2-Cp / AVC-11MHx / AC-240
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-09-2021, 08:23 AM
TRose TRose is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Southeast US
Posts: 1,491
Default Advice: hunting for a new Martin, but which one?

Quote:
Originally Posted by fazool View Post
No.....that's incorrect.


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


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.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-09-2021, 08:32 AM
hairpuller hairpuller is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 3,012
Default

Welcome to the AGF!

I'd go with the 000-18 all day long. Supremely versatile and quite comfy with a short scale.

scott
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-09-2021, 08:35 AM
Bob from Brooklyn Bob from Brooklyn is online now
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hamilton Square, NJ
Posts: 4,090
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fazool View Post
No.....that's incorrect.


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
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.
__________________
Martin D18
Gibson J45
Martin 00015sm
Gibson J200
Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA
Guild G212
Eastman E2OM-CD
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-09-2021, 08:37 AM
cliff_the_stiff's Avatar
cliff_the_stiff cliff_the_stiff is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,808
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 03-09-2021, 09:15 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: East TN
Posts: 6,847
Default

I’d be prepared to audition personally, several examples before committing my finances.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Tags
advice, martin, new guitar

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:22 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=