Martin Johnny Cash HPL all laminate

[hermithollow]

Originally Posted by gmruegg

I have to say it sounds a lot like a carbon fiber guitar to me. Being purely HPL it kind of serves the same purpose as a CF guitar for a lot less money. It is probably not near as weather resistant as CF it still is less fragile than a regular wood guitar. It seems like a decent travel guitar (if a bit big for that purpose) or as a gigging guitar. Since I really have no need for either use, I won't be buying one, but don't begrudge anyone who has those needs for buying one.

Although HPL is more scratch resistant and weatherproof than the typical wood finish, I think wood has more impact resistance, and a much greater chance of being repaired back to near original condition (if you don't consider wholesale replacement of the damaged part). As a travel or gigging guitar I think it's principal virtue is it's cheapness - if it's thrown under the bus you haven't lost much.

I watched the blind test video. I picked the wood guitar all three times. The other two didn't sound bad , I just liked the sound of the wood guitar a little better.

[Rmz76]

Originally Posted by Guitartanzon

Kind of bewildered......its a cool looking guitar...

https://www.americanmusical.com/mart...XJOHNNYCASH#s3

but 16....5 star reviews on an all laminate guitar, YES, the top is laminate HPL too!!! at $600 bucks? How can an all formica guitar sound so great? I think it should have at least a solid top....for $600 bucks.

this guys states a $600 guitar that sounds like $6000 guitar?

for another $200 you could find a used all solid wood USA made Gibson G 45 studio, spray paint it black, and called it a Johnny Cash special

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyil8oALQYQ

Anyone want to chime in, especially owners of this Johnny Cash tribute

Not a fan of postmortem signature models authorized by the estate and not the artist themselves. Especially when the artist never played the model being offered up with their signature attached to it. That is what's going on with the Johnny Cash HPL model... Johnny Cash played several guitars, but his signature Martin was the D35. Second hand story (so take it for what it is); I knew a guitar salesmen here in Houston area who worked for many years at a well known guitar store in Manhattan. He told me that he had met Johnny Cash a few times and had some conversation with him about guitars. He told me Cash's choice of he D35 was pretty firm and that he could tell you what he liked and didn't like about Martin's other offerings. Went on to say most artist he'd met were like that, not big gear nerds but very specific about what they liked and didn't like. That said, I do not believe Johnny Cash would have endorsed a HPL guitar.

As for the HPL guitars in general- I've owned a few Martin HPL (High Pressure Laminate) guitars over the years. Best thing about them is consistency in dynamic climates. Huge rise in humidity can be a tone crusher for an all solid wood instrument, but a guitar made of HPL or Carbon Fiber (Carbon Fiber sounds better to my ears) is going to be consistent regardless. Great for outdoor use. Great plugged in. It still has the Martin feel. I think that's what the HPL series is really intended for. Busking, Beach, Outdoor performance, etc...

[Guitartanzon]

I think I rather buy this black drednaught

http://www.seagullguitars.com/en/pro...assic-black-ae

made in Canada with real wood

[saxonblue]

Saw one in the flesh just last week & was rather struck by just how plastic & cheap it looked, especially when hanging up beside a rather gorgeous looking OM28e.

Looked it would be more at home hanging up on a wall in Toys'r'Us.

Each to their own, I'm sure it's quite functional. Didn't play it & wasn't interested as I was too distracted by the OM so can't comment there.

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by Guitartanzon

I think I rather buy this black drednaught

http://www.seagullguitars.com/en/pro...assic-black-ae

made in Canada with real wood

That's a cool looking guitar;



It might be worth looking into.

[Guitartanzon]

Originally Posted by lowrider

That's a cool looking guitar;



It might be worth looking into.

Sorry Johnny,

I just bought the Seagul in Black

[Guitartanzon]

loving the black seagull s6. a very nice sounding and awesome looking guitar.

[Guitartanzon]

here the same guitar, same specs , all hp
exactly same guitar but diifferent paint job

would you buy this?

(apolgize for this continued ranting, Sorry, I just cannot stop, I guessed I am so pissed off that they could not put a solid top on the Johnny because I really wanted to get one.)

[mercy]

I dont like the plywood necks on those lam guitars, too heavy

[mercy]

I meant HPL not lam guitars. If it wasnt for the neck Id like one for taking places. To me though they sound lifeless, dead, hollow, some word that isnt positive. If you cant hear the difference between a plastic guitar and a wood guitar your hearing is not good. That is not a criticism of you, its a criticism of all plastic etc guitars.