BS: New Martin Guitars

Subject: New Martin Guitars
From: Lanfranc
Date: 30 Jun 00 - 06:06 PM

I've owned a D18 for over thirty years, and played a lot of Martins from mandolins to a D45. When I came across the latest range of US made "entry-level" Martins, I was very sceptical, feeling that they were devaluing the name and the cheaper lines would be better issued as Shenandoah or Sigma models.

Last weekend I dropped one of my Washburn electro-accoustics into Trevor Durrant's guitar store in Colchester for a repair and there, hanging on the wall was a new SPD16 - a limited edition, sapele bodied, all solid Dreadnought - I picked it up, played it, and just had to have it. It is tremendous, beautifully finished with an amazing tone for a new guitar, and reasonably priced withal.

OK I've had to part with three guitars to buy it, but this one is worth it (I've still got eight others).

Has anyone else succumbed to the charms of these new Martins?

I played a couple of Taylors, a Larivee and a Tacoma at around the same price for comparison before I rushed back to buy it, and none of them came close.

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: GUEST,art
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 08:58 AM

where's Colchester and how much were they? cheers

bill

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: Willie-O
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 01:29 PM

I tried a OO-18R (I think) last week, very nice indeed. Had to look up whether the back and sides were laminated (they both are)--the inside and outside are quite convincingly matched.

Real nice, but at $1375 Cdn, (+ 15% tax) not something I's about to pick up on a whim.

Willie-O

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 01:41 PM

Spot on Allan. I almost bought a new "D 1". And I'm as snotty as they come about "vintage" guitars. Martin have done themselves proud.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: joeler
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 02:00 PM

Visited the Martin factory in Nazareth a couple of weeks ago. Although I have a Martin, the tour, the people and their dedication to quality more than convinced me that I will never own another brand of guitar.

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: canoer
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 03:55 PM

Elderly lists the SPD-16 at list prices varying from US$1800 to US$2400 depending on type of wood, cutaway or not. They also invite one to "call for price" -- I got my D18VMS a couple years ago for about 70% of their list.

Just go to elderly.com.

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: bigchuck
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 07:56 PM

AFAIK Elderly is offering Martins at 35-40% off list at the moment, at least they were on the SPOM-16 I called about yesterday.

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: GUEST,Potter
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 11:15 PM

The new "Cheaper" Martins are indeed great tools. Something of such quality but without the risk when taking them on the road, leaving them out in your shop, letting beginners learn on a quality instrument. My playing partner just bought the "Jumbo" from their "road series" and it's a wonderful instrument. Having said all that and even adding that one of the finest instruments I've ever played is the OM28VR (versatile and GORGEOUS). Please check the value in the solid wood guitars offered by Larivee. Their dreadnoughts are decidedly ugly (I think they ought to offer a sunburst version to mask the harsh lines) their other guitars are the very picture of taste, proportion, PLAYABILITY, craftsmanship, and they only improve with age. WHAT A VALUE!

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: BK
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 11:36 PM

Bought a "DM" several yrs ago at Rockin' Robin. Didn't intend to buy another Martin as I've had some misgivings abt how my D-28 was handled last time they had it.. But... that sneaky salesman dropped it in my lap & said "just try it." As the price was not astronomical, I reluctantly did. Then played almost all the other good guitars in the shop. Was amazed.

This particular guitar sounded more to my personal liking than almost all the others, regardless of the fact that they ALL were much more expensive, even the other Martins. Fancy ones. They made me a good offer.. I did have to do the set-up myself, but I don't mind (like to do it myself, any-way) & took the opportunity to make & drop in a compensated saddle. I believe they now come from the factory w/the compensated saddles, mine didn't.

The only caveat I have is that more recently I saw nearly identical looking Martins, which are FULLY synthetic bodied - would you believe FORMICA TOPS??? EVERY one of the formca models I played, I wouldn't own. period. I really worry that Martin screwed up, major. HOW can they put their respected name on those THINGS??

Otherwise, Martin has gained back some of the respect from me they lost for a number of years. Has anybody had a different experience of the formica guitars??

Cheers, BK

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: GUEST,Potter
Date: 02 Jul 00 - 07:53 AM

Ditto the formica! I kept envisioning an ad for a "vintage" formica top Martin "from back at the end of the 20th century when we were running out of----taste!"

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: kendall
Date: 02 Jul 00 - 04:36 PM

As far as I'm concerned, it's still Taylor by a neck...

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: GUEST,Wesley S at Home
Date: 02 Jul 00 - 07:50 PM

I've also owned a D-18 since 1969. And I got a OM-28v just last year and love them both. I'm really excited about the new mahogany topped OO and OOO models they've come out with. Elderly had a slot head 14 fret that looked really tempting. The prices look great on all of them, really reasonable. What I do question about Martins sales department is the current trend to put out commerative models for every Tom, Dick and Sting that sells a million CD's. And when they did come out with a Woody Guthrie model it sells for $3,000 dollars?? Would Woody have bought one even if he could?? Other than that I love Martin products and will be a Martin owner for life.

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 00 - 10:22 PM

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: Midchuck
Date: 03 Jul 00 - 10:47 AM

Since I've been playing "out" more regularly in the last few years, I've been setting my gig money aside to squander on toys. But since I hate to spend it on toys that will lose all their value very fast, such as computers, cars, ski equipment, I tend to buy more instruments.

I now have the following Martins:

D-18VMS OM-21 000-16TR D-1R

I consider each of them to be a fine instrument, although the D-18VMS (the 12-frets-to-the body, slothead, version of the "vintage" D-18) is so far ahead of any of the others that there's no comparision.

Since it's not good form to post commercial messages on this list, I won't mention that the 000-16TR and the D-1R are both for sale, since I have developed a strong preference for wider (1 3/4" or more at nut)necks as against the "standard" 1 11/16 width - but I would welcome inquires by personal message.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: Max
Date: 03 Jul 00 - 11:51 AM

I picked up a Martin 000-15E a couple of months ago, and I love it. Solid Mahogony electric acoustic, the thing even smells good. I grew up playing my dads Martin, and never thought I'd find anything I could afford to replace it. When dad retired, I gave him back his and got the 000-15E. It is everything I could ever want. LOVE IT.

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 03 Jul 00 - 12:17 PM

Martin have made some classic blunders in the past (like the Shenandoah) but nowhere near as many as Gibson (remember the "Mark" series?) and Fender (the Wildwoods!)

These "mistakes" weren't neccessarily all bad instruments, they just didn't live up to the advertising and hype, and were dropped after a few years.

The guitar that Max is talking about (000-15-E) is an absolute gem. Adequate electronics and a full acoustic sound with a very playable neck. Martin's first experiments with pickups on D-18s and D-28s (in the 60s) was so embarasingly bad that folks refused to buy them STRICTLY because of the look.

The electronics in the modern Takamines are better, but the acoustic sound is practically non-existant (although the designs are nice and show some imagination. Twenty years from now the Martin electric/acoustics are going to be pretty valuable and will sound wonderful.

I forgive them for the "mother of kitchen table tops". They'll disappear.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: Lanfranc
Date: 03 Jul 00 - 04:48 PM

I also tried a DS18VH recently, and was tempted, but I have a Washburn D34 which is similar insofar as it has 12th fret to body, wider fingerboard and a slotted peghead, dissimilar insofar as it only cost GBP280, which was approximately one eighth of the price of the Martin and at least half as good (to play at least). Time will tell as to longevity, but I've had it three years and played it quite a lot - OK so far. I had it set up by the aforesaid Trevor Durrant, who worked at Martin for a while and knows his stuff. I'm a DIY klutz, so I leave such things to the experts.

It's also one that I kept when I bought the SPD16, which cost just over GBP1,000 (USD1,500 or so) including a case which doesn't have CF Martin embossed in foot high letters on the lid (which being translated meaneth "Steal Me!")

Colchester is in Essex, England. Importing guitars privately into the UK can get a bit fraught, as several friends can testify. If the airline doesn't get them, the Customs will! Vintage is a fun site to visit for a British guitar freak such as myself, bu that's as far as it goes.

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: Dee45
Date: 03 Jul 00 - 05:15 PM

I was very skeptical of the new "budget" lines Martin has brought out, but playing a few of them, back to back with the more high end established lines (D-28s, 35s, etc.) has made a believer out of me, at least tone wise. Cosmetically, no I don't care for the "budget" look but the tone and playability are definitely there.

Subject: RE: BS: New Martin Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 00 - 11:47 PM

Well, I recently purchased one of the formica-bodied martins, but it has a solid spruce top. I can't complain about the tone, it sounds wonderful. if I could afford a higher-end model I would buy one, but until then I'm content with a DX1.