Belated NGD x2: Martin Custom Shop D and M body

[martingitdave]

I’ve owned several beautiful Martin custom shop pieces over the years. I foolishly sold them when I figured there was something better. Truthfully, there really isn’t anything better suited to my ears and music.

I’ve been playing a friend’s long term loan of a Martin Custom M body with Koa and Italian spruce. Excellent guitar. I recorded some tracks with it. He needed it back for his adult daughter who’s learning to play. So, I set about to find something similar.

I found a used/customer return Martin Custom shop M body with East Indian Rosewood, GE specs, snowflake inlays, and premium VTS Adirondack top. It had a Lyric mic system from the factory. The Lyric itself was a bit problematic because it had an issue with the preamp. I could see why the buyer returned it. However, the second hand discount was too large to ignore. I ordered it and fixed the pickup and have been absolutely delighted with this guitar. I’ve never owned a Martin other than a dreadnought. This is a great compromise. Not much drop off in terms of power, but a sweeter and different sound. It’s a very versatile guitar.

This was a couple of months ago. More recently, I found a Gruhn’s custom order 28/45 style dreadnought that also appeared to be a customer return. This one had a strap button and K&K installed and has the nicest set of East Indian Rosewood I’ve seen. It almost looks like Guatemalan. It certainly sounds different. This custom piece has a performing artist neck shape (a smidge deeper than the MLO), 45 style bound headstock, 42 style snow flake inlays, a GE style 28 herringbone body, and the adirondack appears to be among the top grades. This is the most powerful and clear dreadnought I’ve owned in years. It competes with my long missed custom D28, the D28 and D18 authentics I owned. I’m a bit misty eyed when I play it.

As you know, I also added a pre owned D18 shade top standard to my collection for gigs. These are the guitars I am playing. I have a few other fine guitars, but they will be moving onto other homes in the future.

In short, Martin is making some of the finest instruments they’ve ever made. They are a very good value IMO, even if you pay retail price. And, I’ve learned not get too wrapped up in the “latest” specs from the marketing department. Good wood and a good quality build is all I needed.

Happy Spring!

[jricc]

Wow Dave! A trio of beautiful Martins! Congrats to you. I especially love that M body, and your right that is some great looking rosewood on the 28/45.
Pretty burst on the shade top too!

How are going to decide which to play? Good problem to have.

Congrats again.

[martingitdave]

Thank you!

I appeared to open this in the wrong sub-section. Mods please feel free to move it.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by jricc

Wow Dave! A trio of beautiful Martins! Congrats to you. I especially love that M body, and your right that is some great looking rosewood on the 28/45.
Pretty burst on the shade top too!

How are going to decide which to play? Good problem to have.

Congrats again.

Yes, it seems like it would be hard to choose, no? However, it sorts it itself out. When I play out at local venues I play the D18, generally. It amplifies better than the D28s I’ve played. It’s lighter and setup for super easy playing.

The M36 is more comfortable to play and seems to work great for recording, online streaming, and playing at our folk club. The M sounds pretty great in drop tuning, Eb, DADGAD, etc.

I’m doing a lot of traveling for healthcare and I think it’s between the D18 and the M36, depending on where I’m going and if I’m playing out.

The 28/45 is just so powerful and clear that I haven’t touched the factory setup. I am flat picking and playing bluegrass on it. It’s much easier to play than my Marquis and is more clear with more reverb shimmer. But, it’s not replaceable, so I am being fairly protective of it.

[jricc]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

Yes, it seems like it would be hard to choose, no? However, it sorts it itself out. When I play out at local venues I play the D18, generally. It amplifies better than the D28s I’ve played. It’s lighter and setup for super easy playing.

The M36 is more comfortable to play and seems to work great for recording, online streaming, and playing at our folk club. The M sounds pretty great in drop tuning, Eb, DADGAD, etc.

I’m doing a lot of traveling for healthcare and I think it’s between the D18 and the M36, depending on where I’m going and if I’m playing out.

The 28/45 is just so powerful and clear that I haven’t touched the factory setup. I am flat picking and playing bluegrass on it. It’s much easier to play than my Marquis and is more clear with more reverb shimmer. But, it’s not replaceable, so I am being fairly protective of it.

Thanks for the mini reviews. So glad to hear you are out playing! Be well Dave.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by jricc

Thanks for the mni reviews. So glad to hear you are out playing! Be well Dave.

Thank you! I am making music a priority to the extent possible.

[abn556]

Should I ever get another Martin a M-36 or more likely a J-40 would be my next pick. I find the thin wasted guitars really comfortable to play.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by abn556

Should I ever get another Martin a M-36 or more likely a J-40 would be my next pick. I find the thin wasted guitars really comfortable to play.

Indeed. I’m very happy with the decision and didn’t realize how much I would enjoy the narrower body with wider lower bout. I was very interested in the J. It’s dreadnought depth. In the end, for me, it was a bit too similar to the dreadnought in sound, so I opted for an M. I think a custom shop J would be a bone rattler. :-)

[Kh1967]

Beautiful trio of guitars! Enjoy!

[boneuphtoner]

What a beautiful set of Martins - congrats and may they bring you much joy!