Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar

Subject: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 02:37 AM

Hallo all , I have been tearning how to play " claw hammer picking "
some calle it travis picking , some say there is a diffrent between
there.

I just played a guitar Martin om28-v fingerstyle guitar
and I just want to know has anyone tryed it before or is there
a proud owner out there some where ? this guitar cost here in Iceland
about 3975,76 $ so its lot of money for me if I go and get it
I am saving money for it so anyone ? .............


All the best Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Brendy
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 03:48 AM

Nice guitar, skarpi.

Here's a review - (new window) at 'Ulitimate-Guitar dot com

There's a couple up on E-Bay as well, I see....

B.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 07:46 AM

What I'd say to anyone buying a Martin is, don't for godsake make the mistake I did.

I fell in love with a Martin in a shop and it really sounded beautiful. Soon after getting it, I started having mega problems with tuning. One night it really humiliated me at a booking - a booking that I SO wanted to do well. So I got rid of it.

What I didn't understand was that such problems are easily sorted out by an experienced luthier - often by minor adjustments to the nut, or it can be just that the machine drilled holes that the pegs go into don't fit - so the strings don't seat properly.

For some reason these guitars, which are made of such beautiful materials, still seem to need a set up when you buy them. Its a small thing - but I'd hate for you to blow the guitar of your dreams, like I did.

best of luck with the project Skarpi!

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 09:03 AM

There are guitars at half the price just as good...

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: mattkeen
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 09:21 AM

Lowden is right

Though the OM Martins are my favourites of their current range.

But just are SO many as good or better

Lowden/Avalons, Brook, Atkin etc etc etc all do an OM or 000 strle guitar that are better (IMO) and cheaper.

Martins still make some good guitars but you pay a lot of money for that logo these days.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: mattkeen
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 09:33 AM

Regarding WEST COUNTRY LUTHIERS
Probably www.brookguitars.com or David Oddy in Exeter (though I don't think he has has a web site for a while, but does make great instruments for Show of Hands, Chris Wood amongst others).

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: PoppaGator
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 12:59 PM

I think that my Martin is absolutely great, but then it's a 49-year-old D-18, not one of these new editions on sale today. I'm sure that there is at least some validity to the opinion that they don't make Martins like they used to.

One thing that has not changed: Martins seem to have always come from the factory in need of a setup.

When my guitar was at the luthier's for a neck reset and a new set of frets a couple of years ago, I spent a lot of time "shopping" in guitar stores. I did the same thing a year or so later, while in Katrina-exile in New Jersey, when my guitar had been left at home, locked in our flooded house. (We eventually learned that it was high-and-dry all along, a couple of feet above the waterline.) I was not really buying on either occasion, just finding a way to keep in practice while temporarily without a guitar of my own to play. Very few of the instruments I played impressed me very much, inlcuding plenty of new Martins.

Only two of the many new instruments I sampled seemed to sound as good or better than my own:

I played a Lowden that was just wonderful. It was the only Lowden I encountered in at least a dozen music stores, both in the New Orleans area and in New Jersey.

The other new guitar that I really liked was an "O"-model Martin. Much nicer than any of the other new Martins at that particular store , or any that I remembered playing elsewhere. I think it was simply an especially good individual guitar; I don't think its quality was because of being an "O." It might have been a "D" or whatever that happened to be a happy accident of the right woods, right craftsmanship, and whatever else went into it.

It really comes down to the individual instrument, not the brand name. The brand name will give you some idea of what general level of quality to expect, but each instrument is different. There are great ones with unimpressive names, and mediocre ones from the most reputable companies.

Trust your ears. And, in the case of Martins at least, allow that a good setup will probably make it easier to play. The setup shouldn't change the sound, though, and the sound is what you should be judging. Bring another person along so you can judge how instruments sound from in-front, not just how they sound to the player, from behind.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Midchuck
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 01:15 PM

If I lived in Iceland, I'd give serious consideration to the Rainsong OM1000 or the CA Guitars GX models.

Both are all-graphite guitars in the OM size, with much greater resistance to temperature and humidity variations than any wood instrument. I have the Rainsong, and can testify the tone is very close to that of a fine wood guitar. People who know guitars say the same of the current CAs.

Of course, purist traditionalists are quite offended.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 04:35 PM

they also have Avalon guitar in the shop but I did not try it .

thanks all for your notes.

All the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Justa Picker
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 05:24 PM

The OM-28V is a very fine instrument Skarpi.
Generally they are one of the more consistently good Martins & an excellent and responsive fingerpicking guitar.
(I've owned 2 that were both really nice but currently have it's more-dressed-up sibling, the OM-42.)
The 42 and the 28V are basically the same guitar. One is herringbone trimmed while the other is pearl inlayed.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 05:28 PM

Try the Avalon - you may be very pleasantly surprised.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 05:33 PM

I will try it .

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 05:36 PM

...and if there's a Norman ST68 in the store, try that too.

Good luck with the clawhammer - check out Fretkiller on Youtube for some great pickin'

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 05:40 PM

thanks , but I am just a starter Lowden and its getting very slowly
I am playing it on an Seagull mable CW duet and its no good to do some fingerstyle on it , but its a great guitar to do other things .


but I will look and learn .

thanks Skarpi

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 05:40 PM

I was very happy with the OM28V that I used to own. I think they are great guitars. The ONLY reason that I still don't own it is that I traded it in for a Collings OM2HG. A very similar guitar but with a German spruce top.To my ears the Collings is the better guitar but I doubt that you'll run across one where you live. If you like the Martin - get it. It's a classic and should retain much of it's resale value in the future.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: PoppaGator
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 05:40 PM

Also on YouTube, "deltabluestips" is no slouch as a picking teacher. As Lowden undoubtedly already knows...

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 05:47 PM

... I was just about to mention him - great teaching method; he should be one of the 1st on Youtube to get an OBE. Great talent from Liverpool - lovely laid back style...

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 05:58 PM

I never owned a martin guitar

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Stringsinger
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 06:24 PM

The cost of the instrument is irrelevant if you can afford it. The reason to own it is that it
has the characteristics that you think are important for your style of playing it.

In my opinion, you usually get what you pay for unless there is hype involved with a
particular product. Many guitars today are inflated but if you find something that sounds like what you want and this is the only price available then I would call it a good deal.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 06:29 PM

I was listening to youtupe to Fretkiller and I likes it well , jeee now just go and practice,and practice :>)

all the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: michaelr
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 10:06 PM

PoppaGator -- you fled Katrina and left your Martin behind??? Whatever were you thinking?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 02:53 AM

'In my opinion, you usually get what you pay for '

an honourable opinion, but I'm not sure its true any more - not with companies like Faith and Cort doing all kinds of wonderful solid wood guitars from factories in China and Indonesia. I can't believe its sustainable from any point of view - what they must be paying employees, the earth's resources of fine wood etc.

One luthier put it this way to me - I wish I could produce a guitar like that for twice the price. Its a freaky time - get in there!

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 06:29 AM

Each to their own, whatever floats yer boat, yer pay yer money and take your choice, etc., etc.

No-one can tell anyone else which guitar to get. It's wa-a-a-a-y to personal a thing. Try lots, and make your own mind up, Skarpi, it's your money, your eyes, your ears. Everyone else is just telling you what THEY like, only YOU know what does it for YOU.

IMHO! :-)

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 09:27 AM

jabb that is so true :>)

I will try few guitars before I get up my mind
this is a lot of money for me

All the best Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 01:28 PM

... go with your ears and hands - try to ignore the Logo on the headstock; it sometimes gets in the way of common sense. Advice like "if you buy a Martin it will hold it's trade-in value" should be tempered with the line "but remember you pay twice the price of an equivalent guitar in the first place".

Glad you enjoyed the "Fretkiller" Youtube clips - I know you're only a beginner, but it helps to watch a pro with good technique so you can develop good habits and technique yourself. He has especially good technique, whereas "Deltabluestips" has the habit of resting his little finger on the soundboard while he plays - NOT good technique. In some of his clips he shows he has problems with his right hand and fingers - including use of an elastic wrist band. Now maybe this isn't directly related to his finger position, but it is quite likely.

Good luck - let us know how you get on

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 08:07 PM

jabb I will ,
all the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: reggie miles
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 10:28 PM

I had an old one years ago. It was a 1928 00028 with an OM scale length. It had scalloped braces along the back that were thinner than anything I've ever seen on any of the newer reproductions.

When I first heard that makers were trying to reproduce it I had high hopes that I could purchase a newer one and it would offer the same feel, but no such luck with any that I've played so far.

I learned a valuable lesson the day that I let that one slip by me. That's the big fish that got away and I've been fishin' for it ever since.

It's even difficult trying to talk to luthiers today, who all are quite naturally proud of their creations. So many are willing to produce something that might look beautiful and that has perfect action but no soul. They're largely all over built.

They probably build them that way because they look around and see everyone else doing likewise and figure if they are going to compete they must produce something similar. The problem is their lack of imagination with regard to structural experimentation.

Everyone wants to be the next mass market provider like Martin. There's a lot of $ to be made in that role, instead of being the next master designer, like Lloyd Loar. His goal was quality not quantity. Of course, his instruments today are not only highly valued because there are so few of them but becuase of the way they sound.

I think that many makers are willing to produce mediocre or moderate quality instruments today simply because they can do so inexpensively and sell them to the vast beginner and mid-level ability player markets cheaply. It's a good business plan and many are profiting well from this approach.

That's why it's getting harder to find a really fine guitar out there, even among manufacturers that once held high quality above all else.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: HarleySpirit
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 11:11 PM

Greetings Skarpi, from Newfoundland, Canada!
I played a Martin HD-28VS in St John's,NL some time ago.
Just Beautiful!
Would a HD be similar or different to the OM, other than price?
Would it be another option for you?
Its true tho, there are a lot of other very good, lower priced choices out there.

Harley

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 06:00 AM

have not check that out Harley I dont thing they have that type here
in the store .

All the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 07:31 AM

Interesting observations by Reggie Miles - he's probably summed up the situation very well. I keep trying different guitars in numerous stores and am amazed at the quality of some low to medium priced guitars but very disappointed at higher priced models; I'm still searching for the special one that's going to be an outlet for my retirement cash. Even at £5000 (a Martin I played at the Whitby folk festival) I was sorely disappointed; though it was a gorgeous looking guitar packed with pearl inlays.

Poppagator made the point also:
("I think that my Martin is absolutely great, but then it's a 49-year-old D-18, not one of these new editions on sale today. I'm sure that there is at least some validity to the opinion that they don't make Martins like they used to.") but Martin will always be a good seller because of the long-standing reputation. I certainly would like to buy an old model - at the right price of course. A couple of friends have bought Baby Martins recently (£350 or thereabouts) and they sound CRAP. I played a small bodied French guitar at around £275 in a local store (forgotten the brand name) and it was superb by comparison.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 02:55 PM

"try to ignore the Logo on the headstock" - that's priceless, coming from a Lowden-owner, you old rogue LJ!! LOL!

"Advice like "if you buy a Martin it will hold it's trade-in value" should be tempered with the line "but remember you pay twice the price of an equivalent guitar in the first place".

Ain't necessarily so LJ - not if you buy sensibly, from the right dealer, and when the X-rate's in your favour. By being careful I got a Martin OM-28 Marquis for the price of the basic-range Lowden just before Christmas (arrived Christmas Eve! Woo-hoo!). Makes a nice stable-mate for my Martin J-40 and Lowden O-25! (GFETE!)

BUT, I personally never make assumptions about resale values when buying a guitar, on the basis that I buy them to keep (well, at that point that's the premise - have been known to sell some!).

I still think it's an individual thang, and the buyer should buy whatever makes HIM get that Warm Fuzzy, and not buy to please others, or just because someone claims to 'know what's best'. It's too personal - like I know people who swear by Taylors, when I wouldn't give a Taylor house-room. Who's right? We-e-e-ll, both of us of course, we suit our own personal preferences and tastes, and we're both right in our own way.

C'est vrai, n'est-ce pas?

John

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: skarpi
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 03:11 PM

well I got a Taylor 12 strings , and I tested many other
but this one I got is the best so far I have tryed .

so all the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 03:16 PM

There ya go Skarpi, you just proved my point! *BG*
Enjoy that Taylor!
John

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 03:43 PM

Now if we're talking buying on the basis of very favourable exchange rate dollar-wise I agree it's a wise purchase; especially if you can get the guitar at US prices, but I've not yet seen a dealer offering to pass the savings over to the customer. I accept I'm not the cutest when it comes to haggling a deal - I'm a bit of a pussy cat in that regard. I should take you with me John; sounds like you know how to charm the discount out of the dealer!

As for the Lowden - it wasn't the look or the logo that attracted me, but the sound of the thing; it had been cruelly abused and looked like a battered dog. I took pity on the poor thing and offered £650 to it's brutal owner. He needed the cash (said he had 12 kids to support - no joke) and I regarded it as a steal.

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: The Vulgar Boatman
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 03:57 PM

Skarpi, check out http://www.myfavoriteguitars.com/index.php. I had a 00028EC shipped over to UK a couple of years ago. It's stunning, and the service was first class - properly set up to the strings supplied, carefully shipped - can't speak too highly of them. The instrument is loud and beautiful, and the only alteration I've made is to fit Tusq bridge pins. Oh, and the price was way below what you'd pay here in UK where dealers wouldn't even discuss price until you'd virtually placed the order, then wanted to charge almost ££ for $$.
KYBTTS

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: HarleySpirit
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 07:41 PM

Are you considering using alternate tunings on your new guitar? Being a fingerstyle player myself, I have experimented with a lot of alternate tunings. Lowering string tension can drastically effect the tone of your guitar. I have discovered that sometimes a less expensive guitar can outshine a Martin, when you vary the string tension. You might want to "test drive" your selection, in store, using open tunings etc., before you finalize your purchase.

Oh! and check out my alternate tuning chord charts page if you like:
http://www.personainternet.com/harleys/tunings.html

Harley

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 11:27 AM

Skarpi, The Vulgar Boatman is absolutely correct, assuming that the ISK/USD x-rate is as good as GBP/USD. If you go the MFG route, you will almost certainly speak toi Jon Garon, or his son Seth. Absolute gentlemen and fantastic to deal with. Don't be fooled by the Minimum Advertsed Price (MAP) for Martins shown on the MFG website - they are restricted by Martin as to what prices they may advertise, and they can usually do a much better deal than the price shown.

BUT, as I keep saying, what you buy is your choice - I can't tell you what you like, and neither can anyone else - your ears, your eyes and, more importantly, your MONEY!!

Me, I have two Martins and a Lowden. Love 'em all! :-)

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 11:30 AM

And I loved the Yamahas, Tanglewoods and Heartwoods I had in my earlier days! :-)

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 12:55 PM

PoppaGator -- you fled Katrina and left your Martin behind??? Whatever were you thinking?

Cheers,
Michael

Well, I've told this story before, but I'll try to recap as briefly as I can:

1) I asked myself the same question, of course, for a very long six-week period until we were allowed back home to inspect the damage. I was fairly confident that the guitar would be OK, and indeed that our entire main-floor living area (elevated one full story above street level) would be high and dry. That is indeed how it turned out, but the month-and-a-half of suspense was no fun.

2) We didn't decide to evacuate until the last minute (Sunday afternoon 8/28/05, about 18-20 hours before landfall 8am Monday), and when we did so, there was a lot of confusion. We were in charge of a hospitalized friend's dog, for one thing. Also, another friend with another dog was going to travel with us, having (miraculously) found a free place for all of us stay not far from town, just north of Lake Pontchartrain. In the haste and confusion, I had taken the guitar case out from under my bed but then left it sitting on top of the bed. My bad.

3) People forget, and many didn't know in the first place, but Katrina really took everyone by surprise. It was NOT a major hurricane until the final couple of days before landfall, and did not look like it would pose any danger at all to areas as far inland as New Orleans until midday Friday. Even after learning how huge it had become, and how quickly, the eventual impact was truly unimaginable.

We had ignored evacuation recommendations for years, and in fact had only ever evacuated for a hurricane once before, just the previous year (for Ivan), and that had turned out to be the usual false alarm, and a huge waste of time and money. The news about Katrina just became so much worse so quickly during the last 36-48 hours before it finally hit that there was not time to think clearly and consider everything. I'm just glad that we were able to reconsider our heartfelt resistance to evacuation, and that we did leave when we did, no matter how hastily and poorly prepared.

Next time, of course ~ if there is a next time ~ we'll be much better prepared and will always remember that we might not be back home right away. All important papers, etc., are now in a strongbox ready to toss in the car, and my one and only musical instrument will certainly be among the very few items considered indespensible when evacuating...that, along with more than two days' worth of underwear!

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar........
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 01:57 PM

If it's a choice between the guitar or the underwear PG - take the guitar! :-) :-)

Subject: RE: Martin OM28-V Fingerstyle guitar
From: GUEST,deltabluestips
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 04:55 PM

Bad technique? Shit! I'll have to start all over again now. I'm gutted! Maybe you would be so kind has to tell me the right way..maybe your way. You are so lucky, being able to play the right way. It's guys like you that spoil it for us guys. you've just got it all.. I'll have to write to Doc watson now and tell him he's all wrong. Mark knopfler and Lindsey Buckingham too.

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