Guitar Talk

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: Mrmoonray
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 05:41 PM

I have played every guitar I have been able to get my hands on for the past 46 years, and have yet to play one that that feels or sounds as good as my Martin D16. Maybe it is just what you are comfortable with, but I am still looking.

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 05:39 PM

sorry about Santa Cruz link. I'll try again: SantaCruz

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 05:34 PM

Can't help with Eccleshall but here are my favorites:
Larrivee
SantaCruz
C.F. Martin
Sobell, (a UK luthier)

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: DougR
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 04:59 PM

Teller:

Where could one get more information on the Eccleshall guitars? Do they have a Web Site?

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: teller
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 04:06 PM

Martins sound good...or great....or brilliant...or orgasmic, but let's face it, it's still only a point of view. That they are well made (generally) and hold their value (apparently) there seems to be no doubt, but I recall picking up a box (and I use that word deliberately, because it WAS a box)that, to my mind, sounded, felt and played like I imagine a well made angels' harp would sound. Yet this sad old thing had no 'pedigree' that I could see, or of which its owner was aware; the man had owned several 'quality' guitars, among them a Martin and a Fender, but swore he would never trade his beloved box for any other. I've played a few in my time, and I confess (apart from the aforementioned box) the best I've ever had the joy to play was built by a guy who lives in the West Country, called Chris Eccleshall. I doubt his guitars will ever gain the wide praise that the Martins and so on of this world have attained, BUT those who play an Eccleshall would play no other. Sure, instruments gain a reputation (good or bad) because of press, but much better is a recommendation from a happy, satisfied user. Teller.

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: j0_77
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 03:59 PM

Some Martins now on sale at 150=000 yup one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Thats value added by hype if ever there was such a thing.

Collectors owning not 2 or 3 but dozens of em. A box laid up in a collection for years at a time is just a piece of wood. My ex fiddle playin friend bought a 28 and it was a crock, albeit a loud crock, cost him 3 = 000 bucks.

Also can't help but notice the sheer number of Martins out there, I believe in market forces so sooner or later a Gibby in good shape will be worth a great deal more.

A great instrument like a Gretch - hardly ever see em, or indeed a Gallagher - how bout them banjos - After years of Blugrass madness we have the INSANE practice of hacking up Fairbanks and Vegas to somehow improve em, mine works perfectly well as it is with all the original parts. I should add that how you play a banjo is what makes them sound good.

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: Mudjack
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 03:52 PM

I have to agree with most of these postings having owned 4 different Martins over the past 20 years. I never bought a new one, and never lost a dime on any when selling them.(made good profits) I did come to a point when I realized that there is no such thing as a guitar that can't be replaced. Each Martin had it's own voicing and my first Martin was a 018 and barked like a junkyard dog.(terrible sound) My last one was a heavy handed S35. There isn't one that I thought I had to keep forever or pass on to my offspring. Another phobia I put behind me was always looking around to eye watch my valuable "Martins". Now if I loose my main ax, I feel I can replace it with a hand built that is even better than the last.
My main guitar today is a fancy T Harua mod 150(Japan 78) with a whole ocean of abalone inlays. I have kept this one the logest of any, and more times than not, Martin D45 owners think it's a Martin. It's a better than most copies of a D45. I'm wearing down the second set of frets and will likely have to have the neck shaved down to renew the action as it has experienced some abuse from flight attendants.
Martins are a better investment than they are "great guitars". My humble opinion.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: DougR
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 01:48 PM

Roger in Baltimore:

It thought I might find you in here. I looked for your email address in the listings bbc has at her site, but didn't find you.

You mentioned in reply to WyoWoman that you thought Happy Traum's "Learning to Fingerpick" was the best way to go in learning how to fingerpick. I went to Homespun Tapes and a video, "Fingerpicking Made Easy" by Happy Traum was listed for sale but I found none by the title you listed. Are they one and the same, or do you know?

I'd appreciate your advice.

DougR [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 09:35 AM

I think Mark is on to the crux of the issue. A good deal of Martin's reputation was well earned in the 50's and 60's. I have heard more dissatisfaction in the following decades, but Martin's do hold their value well.

There are quite a few guitars that can put Martin in their place. Taylor in its higher models is one example. But Taylor has been making guitars for only 20 years (a guesstimate). And as you think of holding value, I wonder about the new Electric/Acousitic models. The electronics will die long before the guitar and then you are stuck with a guitar with a hole in one side. Will those guitars hold their value?

Of course, we have stumbled into an age of aging hippies trying to regain their childhood by collecting guitars from the 60's and earlier (present company excepted, of course). Now the value of guitars on the market are beginning to exceed IMHO their value as instruments.

Don't let anyone tell you that "you can't go wrong with a Martin". You certainly can, not all guitars are made equally. I have played Martins with which I have been distinctly unimpressed.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: Don Elmore
Date: 27 Aug 99 - 05:30 PM

To: Liam Devlin.

Martin guitars have proven themselves over the years and my brother owns 2 Martins. One he purchased in 1954, and still has it, and a new one he purchased in 1998.

Both are fine instruments and have a warm melodic sound.

I just purchased 2 different Epiphones and an Alverez. All three were fine, but not as good as the Martins.

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: Mark Clark
Date: 27 Aug 99 - 04:36 PM

Liam,

It isn't that no one else can make a guitar a good as a Martin --- although I think that is probably hard to do --- it's that in addition to the quality and wonderful sound, they are widely known and hold their value. If you pay $3000 for a Martin now and later you want to trade it for a Telecaster and change, you can find a buyer without having to take a bath on the purchase.

Some small luthiers make very fine guitars but, since there is no history to rely on, it's only a guess what the instrument will become over its life and what someone would be willing to pay. Add to that the problem of getting your guitar repaired after its maker tires of poverty and leaves the art for a real job. I have a wonderful banjo made by such a craftsman. It was made especially for me and everyone who sees it admires it very much. It's 27 years old now and should last for many generations but it will never be a "real Gibson Mastertone" even though much of the metal is from Gibson.

Hope this helps.

- Mark

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: Max
Date: 27 Aug 99 - 12:01 PM

There is a lot of talk about it in this thread. My thoughts are simple... Martins sound good.

Subject: RE: Guitar Talk
From: Peter T.
Date: 27 Aug 99 - 11:49 AM

liam, If you do a Forum search (and if that is working) there was a whole thread on Martin guitars, and bunches of other threads on people's favourites.
I have been allowed to play Rick Fielding's Martin for a few brief seconds. It was like playing a guitar.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: Guitar Talk
From: JedMarum
Date: 27 Aug 99 - 10:46 AM

Being fairly new (but already addicted) to Mudcat, I might be treading on well worn ground, but ... in a few of the recent threads, I've begun to see a wide range of guitar makers listed, as being the favorite Mudcatter 'axes.' I'm curious about what are our favorite guitars and why.

I love Martin guitars and have a great appreciation for their long history and top quality, but when I see what some of the other Luthiers are doing in their smaller shops; Larrivee, Santa Cruz and others, I am so amazed that Martin seems to maintain the almost religious zealot hold it has on the folk community. These new manufacturers have really provided fine instruments, that compete and in some cases beat the incumbent.

Any thoughts?? Martin lovers; speak up!!