Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Feb 02 - 10:18 PM

Many moons ago on the Brazilizn Rosewood thread we discussed mahoghany and what you have found John is quite true. I know several members here now who are looking at expensive or vintage (both in the case of vintage) mahoghany guitars. It do make a difference......It may not have the class, but for many applications, it has the sound!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 12 Feb 02 - 09:30 PM

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 10 Feb 02 - 05:14 PM

Bald headed stepchild on JIK's cookie

Justa Picker

I have found the HD-28's to be great all around instruments, as well as the D-40s series, and older, straight braced D-28s. But for fingerpicking and balance, I'd recommend the M-38, the OO and OOO 18s and 28s - especially the BRW ones.

In response to the question of bass being too boomy, I thought for a long time the problem with the Martins was the ringy-ness of the guitar, mostly due to the rosewood construction. As a fingerpicker I found that the over-ring caused the sound to be less clear.

I first found the solution in the all mahogany D15 I purchased about a year and a half ago. I really like the tone , Especially on older style blues and solo country playing, and I still enjoy using it for these purposes.

I did find that the D15 was not the most versatile guitar for all around playing so I went in search of something else and found the answer in another Martin, the JC16GTE, which it disappointed me to not see in this thread.

The JC16GTE has spruce top with mahogany back and sides and sounds just amazing. It is a very well balanced guitar and responds much better to touch than most of the other Martins I have had the opportunity to play, and I only paid $1200.00 for it brand new.

If you have not had the opportunity to play the JC16GTE, I would recommend seeking one out as I believe you probably would be impressed. I never have been one to jump on a particular company's bandwagon, as I am more inclined to look at the individual guitar rather than the brand, but this guitar is well worth looking into.

The preceding is an unpaid commercial announcement and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the management - JohnIn Kansas

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From:
Date: 05 Feb 02 - 02:48 AM

Jup,

It is called the "BG808" (don't ask me why!). This one is solid wood and has a high quality spruce soundboard. The rest is of Australian woods.

There is a cheaper one of the same dimensions called the "BG808L", which has laminated sides and back and one grade lower spruce soundboard.

Maton has a website www.maton.com.au>

I didn't think of bridge placement, Murray, but it does make sense.

Murray

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Feb 02 - 01:36 AM

Tonight on Antiques Roadshow, they showed a 00042 Martin. The guy didn't play it at all but he said it was built in 1938. (he said Martin made them from 1913 until the 1940s, I think.) He said the top was Adirondack Spruce, which he said was no longer available. The guitar appeared in good shape and was supposedly a one-owner, belonging to the widow of the man who had bought it new in 1940. She said her husband had been a cowboy and a musician, who had strapped the guitar to the back of the saddle.

The appraiser estimated its value from $20,000- 25,000. I would have loved to hear its tone.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: jup
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 04:06 PM

MURRAY, what is the cat.no of the maton you mentioned. See my thread new guitar. I want a new maton for finger picking to replace my old overlander.It's pickup is the old type. Thanks, Jup.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 03:46 PM

Yes you are right Peter, I have just been on the phone to the current owner of my D28S who confirms the body length as 21".

Murray

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Midchuck
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 03:31 PM

Peter, are you sure the 12 Fret "S" Dreadnoughts have a greater body volume than the 14 fret "D"'s" ?

I used to own a D28S many years ago, and I seem to remember the length/width/depth dimensions of the body were pretty much the same as a regular 14 fret Dread. But, I could be wrong ...

I threw out my collection of Martin flyers, which were out of date, but Elderly prints Martin size stats in its catalog.

They give the 14-fret dread as being 40 1/2" long overall, and the body length as 20." The 12-fretter is given out to be 39 9/16" long overall, but the body length is 21."

So the 14-fret is almost an inch longer overall, but an inch shorter in the body, because of the more rounded shoulders. Since the width is the same, the 12-fret should have somewhat more total volume.

P.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Willie-O
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 02:58 PM

Well, anybody with a little old single-O like my 18 knows they're the opposite of "too boomy". A brash midrange though.

I played a nice 74 D-18 at the Twelfth Fret during my quick trip to Toronto last week. Priced reasonably too. (As these things go) Twould make a nice pair with the O-18 which is a 73.

Not gonna happen though.

W-O

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Willie-O
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 02:42 PM

Well, anybody with a little old single-O like my 18 knows they're the opposite of "too boomy". A brash midrange though.

I played a nice 74 D-18 at the Twelfth Fret during my quick trip to Toronto last week. Priced reasonably too. (As these things go) Twould make a nice pair with the O-18 which is a 73.

Not gonna happen though.

W-O

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Willie-O
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 02:41 PM

Well, anybody with a little old single-O like my 18 knows they're the opposite of "too boomy". A brash midrange though.

I played a nice 74 D-18 at the Twelfth Fret during my quick trip to Toronto last week. Priced reasonably too. (As these things go) Twould make a nice pair with the O-18 which is a 73.

Not gonna happen though.

W-O

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 02:18 PM

Peter, are you sure the 12 Fret "S" Dreadnoughts have a greater body volume than the 14 fret "D"'s" ?

I used to own a D28S many years ago, and I seem to remember the length/width/depth dimensions of the body were pretty much the same as a regular 14 fret Dread. But, I could be wrong ...

Murray

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: chouxfleur
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 02:15 PM

I would agree with the last couple of postings. I have a old D-45, and a very old OM-28 herringbone (both 14 fretters), and a D-18S and a 000-15S (both 12 fretters). No doubt about it, the 12 fret guitars win hands down. But while the Dreadnoughts are bass heavy, in no way would I describe them as boomy. The most balanced instrument is the OM-28, whilst the real breath taker-away is the 000-15S. Quite unbelievable tone and volume from a lightweight, plain, guitar that was £650.

chouxfleur

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Midchuck
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 02:01 PM

I have two 12-fretters, one a 000 and one a dread, and they both, to my ear, have a clear superiority in sheer whoomph to the equal sized 14-fret instruments of the same quality levels. I suspect both reasons - greater body volume and more central bridge placement - have something to do with it.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 01:17 PM

It is widely recognized that the tone of a 12 fret Martin is, in general, superior to the tone of a 14 fret, but the reason for the superiority is the location of the bridge on the soundboard.

On a 12 fret the bridge is placed closer to the center of the soundboard than is the case with a 14-fret and the supposition is that this leads to better sound transmission. Makes sense, if you think about it.

Murray

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 02:33 AM

Murray, I have a D35S. If I did a lot of picking up the neck I suppose I might mind not having as many frets available but for the type of stuff I do, this suits me fine.

Eb

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From:
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 01:16 AM

I have a few guitars collected over the years, but my favorite is a Martin 000-15S. The "S" means it has a slotted head. It joins the body at the 12th fret. I have always thought that this kind of guitar has more tone per volumn than one with a solid head joined at the 14th fret. I was happy to hear recently that Norman Blake says the same thing.

I think the 000 guitars lost some bass when they flattened the upper bout and made the fretboard two frets longer. Blake also thinks the sound is enhanced with a 12 fret guitar because the neck joins the body at the strongest harmonic. I certainly am ready to believe it. He tends to use ancient Martin 00s, although he has a Martin "D" with a slotted head and a 12 fret neck.

The Australian small bodied Maton (about 00 size) has a 14 fret meck but has a deeper body than most 00 and 000s(about the same as a dreadnaught) to compensate for the smaller upper bout. It has a very strong bass for its size.

I got mine (000-S15S) at "Acoustic Roots" in Jenkintown Pa. I don't know if he has D15s. I was a little sceptical about a mahogony soundboard, but I think it is as good as spruce.

Murray

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: 53
Date: 03 Feb 02 - 08:23 PM

I have a Taylor Big Baby and I love it.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Dave T
Date: 03 Feb 02 - 01:20 PM

My 000-18 is nicely balanced and great for blues/rag stuff, but doesn't cut when playing bluegrass with banjos and fiddles around...that's what the dreadnoughts are for. So 'too boomy' is a matter of taste and style. As far as being hard to mic, I think it's rather too few people know how to mic properly for acoustics instruments anymore.

RichM: I agree that Beneteau's are great, but personally I like Oskar Graf's guitars ;-). BTW are you the same Rich McCarthy I know who plays upright bass among other things????

- Dave Tilston

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: GUEST,Richard Sutton
Date: 03 Feb 02 - 11:09 AM

I've learned that there are a few things you can do to tweak a dreadnought's tone balance -- one of the ones I like, and have used for years on my D-18 (1970) is to pay a lot of attention to the relief of the fingerboard, adjusting the truss rod for enough back bow to lower the action to the point where the bass strings are not as resonant and the treble are still as bright. I have also played around (carefully) with Bridge saddle height, finding that lowering the height a bit can reduce an over-heavy bass end response. Another really surprizing tool is the new JLD Bridge system, which can put an amazing amount of sustain back into an older instrument and improve the separation and transparency on a newer instrument accross the board. Since my style is mostly finger picked, a balanced tone is really important. I've also found that compared to rosewood dreadnoughts, the mahagony ones carry a better treble response. Anyway -- that's the view from here, for what it's worth.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Midchuck
Date: 03 Feb 02 - 09:35 AM

Martins don't make your fingers bleed if you have a friend who has the skills to file nut slots down to where they should be.

Keep in mind that Martin sells to a lot of bluegrass rhythm players, and they often want an action that most people would consider painfully high. They hammer the guitar hard enough that it'd buzz if the action were what most people would consider normal. I think Martin's philosophy is that it's a lot easier to lower the action at the nut than to raise it (the latter usually requires a new nut), so they ship with a high action.

I think.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: kendall
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 11:25 PM

53, keep an eye out for a Taylor. There are more and more of them showing up in bluegrass. Well balanced and powerful. Plus, they dont make your fingers bleed.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: 53
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 12:03 PM

The more bluegrass i listen to, the more i want one.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 04:45 AM

Tonight at music, I got to compare my D35 and a friend's D28. His guitar is a good one- sounds wonderful when he plays it. He sings a lot of Shel Silverstein, John Goodman, Randy Newman...

Then we traded. Under his fingers my 35 sounded wonderful- although he played it louder than I normally do. In performance his voice would have had to be miked.

In my hands his 28 sounded good- until I plucked the bass E. Oh, woe! 'Tain't the sound I want.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: 53
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 10:45 PM

Good.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Bobert
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 10:42 PM

Dangeed, ol' bobert going to have to weigh in on this one. I've got 8 or 9 guitars, including Fender and a Gibson acounstics and I like my 1964 D-18 best for performing solo. The tone is full and allows me a lot more flexibility with my vocals. I'm not trying to cover the short comings of the instrument. Hey, nothing against anyones personal choice. I just like the sound and SPIRIT of my old Martin. I've been playing it in open G recently and sliding it and it still sounds good. What can I say....

Bobert

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: 53
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 10:27 PM

never had a martin.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: RichM
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 05:48 PM

Nothing wrong with a boomy martin guitar. Got one of those too--a '68 braz D21. But my preference is an '84 dreadnought by Marc Beneteau, a luthier in southern Ontario, Canada. It's simply better.

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: JedMarum
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 09:06 AM

What's wrong with boomy? I love a deep bass from a guitar. I guess boomy describes unbalanced bass ... but I've never a boomy guitar - just one that mics up boomy.

I think many Martins has a strong bass. I've played one of their top of the line new HD35's recently at the guitar store, and it had a surprisingly deep sound. It's bass rivaled that of the jumbos.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: jup
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 06:29 AM

Hay Nager,did you get your D15 new or S/H ? If new who do I contact if I want one? I do a lot of finger picking {bare fingers} do you think it would be suitable.I have a Maton Overlander at present but the pickup is very dated so I am thinking of upgrading to a Maton 808 with an AP5 pickup. Jup.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: GUEST,cretinous yahoo
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 10:11 PM

What is the Taylor made for?

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 08:20 PM

Tom mentions............"a guitar that is not made for the traditional folk sound......."

Hoo-boy....Now does that ever open up a can of worms!   Geeziz, we can't ever get an overall agreement on the definition of "Folk" and now we're going to discuss guitars with traditional 'folk' sound?

LMAO.....oh yeah.........I think I'll let somebody else go first!!!!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: GUEST,Tom (TomLori)
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 07:57 PM

I'm sorry if I duplicate some of what was already written, unfortunately I came into this thread a little late and don't have time to read every posting right now. However, I do plan to read them later.

I own a D-35, and love it. My appreciation for the instrument grew even more when I sent it to my luthier, who told me he thought Martin Guitars were generally over-rated. After doing the fret-work and a few other minor adjustments and repairs, he played it and could do nothing but rave about it.

Those who think it is too boomy, should look to a guitar that is not made for the traditional folk sound, like the Taylor guitar. Also, experiment with different strings, you might change your mind.

Tom TomLori HTTP://www.TomLori.Com

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: kendall
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 08:23 PM

I like the boomy sound in good Martins. But, the one with the most bass I ever owned was a 1956 Gibson J-45. It's the one I gave Dave Mallett.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Midchuck
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 08:02 PM

The D-28s and D-35s are pretty boomy, yes. They were meant to be. The whole idea of the dreadnought body was to provide enough power in the lower register for the guitar to hold its own as a rhythm instrument against naturally louder instruments like fiddles and mandolins and, well, you know, those drums that some idiot put necks and strings on.

A lot of the smaller Martins are quite well balanced.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: ddw
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 10:00 PM

Justa,

I'll take you up on that. I've seen a few 000s that were fine guitars — well balanced and all that — but I still haven't run into one I'd trade my Guild for.

But don't take that as a blanket statement about Guilds, either. I've played some that were real dogs. I think I just happened to get lucky with mine.

david

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 09:19 PM

Omigod, I had actually gotten that contest out of my mind! And the camper is parked at the PAID STORAGE, thank you very much again! Keep the boys there until it's time to work on the camper in the driveway . . .

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Francy
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 09:04 PM

I Have a D35(1979) and I love it......There mAy be better guitars, but mine does all i want it to do and more..... Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Justa Picker
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 08:15 PM

DDW, if you're ever in the Toronto vicinity, PM me. I've got an old '47 OOO-21 that will make a believer out of you.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 08:07 PM

Just a question at this point - I've seen a few "Too difficult to mike up" comments. That maybe true but if it is, isn't that really a failure in the electronics industry, perhaps one that could be overcome in time?

Jon

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 07:48 PM

LOL......Ah typos........I was referring to his contest win and that other was meant to be:

How are you guys doing anyWAY. (The other sentence seems to be asking about your sex life or drugs or something--Sorry!)

Sorry Barb....Probably a typo in this one too. But while I'm asking, where's the camper parked nowadays and do you want Paw and Cletus and the Reg Boys to drop by?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 07:40 PM

Spaw, I don't have any idea what either of these sentences are about:

How are you guys doing any? Now that hubby has that superstar status and all?(:<))

Doing any what? Superstar status?

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: ChanteyMatt
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 07:32 PM

One final comment and I'll go play my Martin. Everyone that hears it comments on the beautiful sound. Yeah, it seems to have more bass, but by God, I love to play it.

Booms Away!!

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: ddw
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 07:32 PM

Since my playing style uses a lot of palm damping, the Martin D-series guitars' low-end boom is pretty much wasted.

Comes right down to it, though, trying to get much meaningful discussion of guitars going on the basis of manufacturer is sorta like trying to choose a wife by the color of her eyes.

One at a time, baby —— only way to choose. Good uns and bad uns come with all eye colors and all labels.

All that said, I have one 1963 Guild D-40 that I wouldn't trade for any Martin I've ever played (with the possible exception of a 1939 HD-18 a friend of mine owns) because it fits my style better.

I also have a Cort Earth 100 and a Korean-made Palmer that I use for slide. Each has a different voice and each has its uses, none of which would be better served by paying a whole bunch of money for a Martin nameplate.

You got a Martin you like? I'm glad, but I don't envy you.

cheers,

david

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: GUEST,Ben Seymour
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 07:28 PM

Martin Guitars from my experience (D models only) are well suited to Bluegrass and Country since they have that deep bass end. Most of the D models I have played (Quite a few) are not balanced at all. The mids are there and the trebles kinda get pingy and thin unless pumped through a sound system. Of course, if you are pumped through a sound system a good technician can give you basically whatever sound you want. I'm talking about straight out without the Sound management. In a jam I usually just hear that Martin Bass booming away which is great for Bluegrass and rhythym. For fingerpicking I've never heard anything better than a Bourgeouis (sp?) or a Kevin Ryan. You can't get that boomy sound of a Martin but the tonal quality and intonation is awesome and the projection is quite loud also. I think that most folks forget that before the 1900's that there wasn't such a thing as a Dreadnought. Didn't used to be DVD's,CD's and VCR's either. (Sorry you guys under 20, but its true!)Most folks seem to get used to that "Nashville" overproduced sound that is impossible to emulate in a live unplugged performance. Of course, now unplugged means miked and tweaked and EQ'd to the max , but using acoustic instruments.

Ben

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: nager
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 06:14 PM

I have just bought a D 15 here in Australia, imported from US and it is excellent. Good price too as mentioned (above)by Wesley. I had been playing an old Ibanez for many years and the difference is amazing.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 04:48 PM

Sure Barb.....Strings can play a big difference in both material and gauge. How are you guys doing any? Now that hubby has that superstar status and all?(:<))

No secret either that Martins have been all over the board in quality at different times and even in better periods have produced some serious dogs. I really don't know why except that there are almost always variables in building instruments from wood and glue, even for the big guys. I too had an HD-28 that was a supreme dog. I attribute it to the fact that I ripped a guy off on the price when I bought it (it was all it was worth) and made a few bucks when I dumped it. Back then I still believed that you could make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. A bad guitar can rarely be improved, but a good guitar just seems to get better......that ought to be a law of some sort.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: marty D
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 04:43 PM

My el cheapo "laminate" D model is very well balanced. I agree that the 'boomy' reputation seems strictly connected to how they mike and record. I'm told that soundmen LOVE Ovations.

marty

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 04:39 PM

Before I found my Herringbone (HD-28) I played a few Martins that were awful. This one, however, is a gem, and has lots of mid and bottom range, which suits me just fine since I play rhythm in a bluegrass band. I also notice, though, that the boom varies some with medium vs. heavy picks and also with the type of strings used.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Wesley S
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 04:22 PM

Murray - That sounds like one of the new "15" series - a great buy and well under a grand. They can be found for six to seven hundred.

By the way - my Martins are a 30 year old D-18 and a "prewar" 1999 OM28V.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 03:48 PM

The best onstage guitar sound I have heard in a long long time was at a concert by Richard Shindell last Sunday. Perfect balance and separation between bass and treble, and the model he was playing was a new all-mahogany Martin (inc. mahogany soundboard).

I didn't ask him the model number, but it was under $1000 new. He said he had given up on expensive guitars, as they never sounded any better on stage than the economy models.

Murray

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: SharonA
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 03:34 PM

I have a D-35 as well, so.... what Ebbie said. I also like to have other people play it so I can "get out from behind it", so to speak, and enjoy the projection of sound. I like a guitar with a strong bass end, so it suits me. The M-38 is a bit more comfortable for this BBW to hold, so somewhere along the line I'm sure I'll acquire one of that model, too.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 03:14 PM

We can roll around the boomy thing in it's various forms all week, but the conclusion is still the same and most of that has been said by RiB and JP. No question that the D's in general are boomy and depending on specifics of woods and bracings (as well as year) they can be overpowering, especially solo background, finger OR flatpicked. JP gets to the heart of it as, outside of bracings/woods etc., the real key is often found in the more balanced sound created by other sizes with the 0000 (or M) being generally considered to have the finest balance.

Shape plays such a role in sound that I suppose we rend to automatically take it in to the equation and talk about other things, but if there is one thing that contributes most, all other things being as equal as possible, it's shape. When Larrivee built about a zillion models, it was generally recognized that the best balance and sound was from the LS-09, a fine fingerpicker, with outstanding balance.....a kind of slope shouldered 000 size (hard to describe).

I dunno' Wes......too boomy? Sometimes, but it beats hell out of the alternatives sometimes ...*thud**plink*.....(:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 02:49 PM

My D35 is fairly boomy, I think, so I'm careful with it. I pay special attention to how it is miked. The nice thing is that it has a sweet tone even when played softly, so for me, it has it all. Good balance, good resonance, great tone, responsive... Sometimes I worry a little as to whether it's too loud and I have someone else play it to check- and LOVE it.

The first owner of my guitar told me that for the first year or so, his band didn't have a bass so they used this guitar as a bass. And I too sometimes do a bass line when an upright isn't around that holds up well, I think.

I have an old Conn that is well balanced but it doesn't have the bass I so love in my 35.

Eb

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Justa Picker
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 02:28 PM

It's no big secret that I too am a die-hard Martin lover...BUT...it really depends on the style of play as to whether bass boominess is a pro or a con. Also, rosewood/spruce Martins with scalloped braces will bring out more of the bass. I would think if you were using it for rhythm you'd want that extra fullness in the sound. For flatpicking you'd probably want something with more bite in the mids and highs (i.e. D-18) and for fingerpicking something with a fairly balanced sound but enough bottom end to have presence without being overpowering. I have found in my travels that the HD-35 is probably the boomiest bassy sounding Martin. The HDs have a little more scalloping, and as primarily a fingerpicker, I found the bass to overwhelming compared to the mids and highs. I.m.o. they don't make good fingerpicking and especially recording guitars. I have found the HD-28's to be great all around instruments, as well as the D-40s series, and older, straight braced D-28s. But for fingerpicking and balance, I'd recommend the M-38, the OO and OOO 18s and 28s - especially the BRW ones.

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Genie
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 02:24 PM

One of the things I love about my old 00018 is that its sound is balanced, high to low. That model, at any rate, is not at all to "boomy."
Genie

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 02:21 PM

It would be unfair to say that "Martin's are boomy". However, Martin made their name in the bluegrass world (and somewhat in the folk world) with their Dreadnought models, particularly the D-28. This guitar was designed to be able to be heard in a band with multiple instruments. I think it is fair to say the D-28 is particularly strong on the bass end. That is not to say that they can't be played sweetly.

As a sometime performer and an owner of a D-28, I can tell you that played into a poorly placed microphone a D-28's bottom is way too strong. I believe most sound techs will tell you that they roll off some bass frequencies when miking a D-28.

Martin makes a wide range of guitars and there are smaller guitars that are more well-balanced than the D-28. So not all Martin guitars are boomy.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: ChanteyMatt
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 02:19 PM

My Martin is "boomier" and louder than my Larivee. I decided to make the best of it and now I keep the Martin tuned to DADGAD. Wow, does it ever resonate!

Subject: RE: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 02:17 PM

I know someone who has 3 of the same model Martin guitar (D28 I think) and she commented that one of hers was much bassier than the other 2 so there must be variations even within Martins...

The Martins I love the sound of do have what I would call a heavy bass but I wouldn't say too much - more like a perfect bass sound. I would guess though that if I can identify the bass sound as a feature I particularly like, it is quite possible for someone else to identify it as a feature they dislike - horses for courses I would guess.

Jon

Subject: Martin Guitars - Too 'Boomy' ??
From: Wesley S
Date: 29 Jan 02 - 01:54 PM

I'll admit from the start that I'm a Martin lover. I think they make great guitars. But I've always wondered about the complaint that I've heard from time to time that Martins were too "boomy" - that they had too much bottom end. I've always wondered how a guitar could have too much bottom end. If there is one I havn't heard it.

How about you? Ever find a Martin that had an overpowering bottom ? I've heard a lot of instruments that I thought sounded wimpy but never one that had too much tone. I'm not trying to give folks a chance to flame or boast that "my guitar is better than your guitar" but I'd love to hear from some of you that really think that it's possible to have too much tone on a guitar.