I know this is heresy in a folk forum, but I never understand the huge following behind Martin guitars. They make some good ones. They make a few great ones. I've seen and played some good ones that people go gaga over - and I just don't see it/hear it. There are guitars on the market that are simply much better.

Generally speaking, Martins tend to be loud. They're heavy. They have a boomy bass and are typically way too "muddy" or uneven sounding. They do have a distinct and recognizable tone - that can be nice, but they typically need EQ help to balance them with other instruments. And they are a bitch to get a good sound out of plugged in.

Now having said all of that - I do like Martins. I hear that Martin sound like everyone else does, and I appreciate it. And there exceptions. There are some Martins that do not have any of the short comings I listed above. I love Martin's small body guitars, the 000s and the OMs.

If you take a look at Bourgeois Guitars, his D-types always seem to sound to me the way the Martin designs wanted to sound! They have a much better balance. Their weight is better. I haven't played them plugged in, so can't speak to that. Likewise the Collings guitars are, generally speaking, better then most Martins. These are two guitar makers who are building guitars along the Martin D type line, that are normally head and shoulders above Martin in sound.

If you want to stray from the reservation of typical D type sound and look at modern designs of Dreadnought-like guitars, I am convinced that Larrivee has the best sounding guitar designs on the planet. Taylor also has some great sounding models - and both makers have incorporated excellent electronics ....


Now before anyone blasts me for not liking Martins - I do love a lot of their guitars ... when people "bow at the altar" of the D28, I always remember the handful that I found worthy of that devotion - BUT I cannot worship the model.

If I had to reach into a dark room filled with guitars and grab one that would be my only instrument for the rest of my life - I'd walk past the door marked Martin and open the one labeled Larrivee.

... but that's just me.