I Played a Martin D-28 today....

Subject: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Biskit
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 10:27 PM

Wow! This is the most beautiful sounding guitar I believe I've ever played! such clarity and resonance, It felt just right in my hands, The neck was the perfect reach all the way up, I can't get over that beautiful sound, It was like it came alive in my hands,..I finally understand the love affair that Folkies have with their Martin's. Good Lord!! I think I'm in Love with a Musical Instrument!
Peace! Through Understanding
~Biskit~

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Peace
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 10:41 PM

I have had mine since 1965. It is now 42 years old. Still in love with it after all these years.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: open mike
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 10:45 PM

uh huh

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: jimmyt
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 10:49 PM

One of my group plays a 1964 D 18 that is the sweetest instrument I have ever played. Mind you, I am not a guitar player but it doesn't take too much time to jsut feel and hear quality. A grand instrument. I wish I had a string bass with that type action. I once heard an 83 year old guy playing bass in a local jazz club. He had played with Ella Fitzgerald for 40 years and she had advanced him the money to buy a good instrument in 1954. He told me he paid $2000 for it and she took fifty dollars a month from his salary until it was paid off. He let me play the bass and it was just like that Martin. Sometimes the appreciation of a fine instrument is as good as owning one. Well, not quite.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Bobert
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 10:54 PM

Well, I've been fightin' my guts out on the other Martin thread but, yeah, as an original owner of a 60'S D-18, I love the sound and feel of a good Martin... Lotta folks never knowed it... Those of us who have know of what we speak...

Bobert

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Amos
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 11:09 PM

There ain't nothing like the feel of Martin bass up against your belly when you want to make it felt.


My D-35 and I just know each other right.


A

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: number 6
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 11:21 PM

Reading all this makes me want to pick up my and play my 2000 Taylor 310 right now ... there's nothing like the bond between one and their favourite guitar!

sIx :)

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: GUEST,Texas
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:00 AM

A few years back I was looking to graduate from the $500-$700 guitar
range. I'd wanted a Martin since I was a teen but could never afford one. When I finally got into the store and started the selection process I found myself torn between Taylor and Martin. Martin had the sound that I was looking for but the Taylor had the feel I was in love with. The Martin didn't feel bad, it's just that the Taylor felt so much better.

In the end my heart chose the Martin D-28 and I left the store on a cloud; but, a thought occurred to me that if I were to have taken the Taylor home I would have to say that, "I still don't have a Martin," while if I left with a Martin I would not be saying, "I still don't have a Taylor."

Having said all that, I traded my 28 in a few months back on a high-end Breedlove and my joy cannot be measured. The Breedlove C25/k
simply sounds magnificent, feels wonderful and looks beautiful. It is one of the three or four most wonderful guitars I have ever played.
Sure, I'd get another Martin in a heartbeat - I perform for a living
and when you come across those wonderful creations they'll haunt you until you return with your checkbook. Remember, they're all different, but when you put your arms around the right one - you'll know it. Have fun playing.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:39 AM

The other night at music I was listening to someone else maybe 7 feet from me sing and play. He doesn't sing particularly loud and his songs are usually of the Steve Goodman/John Prine/Randy Newman type, in other words, not raucous. His voice is mellow and clear.

Suddenly I became aware that my D35 was pulsing in response to the music. ("Pulsing" is the only word I can think of) I already knew that my Martin had tremendous sound sustain but I hadn't realized that it too loved music. *G*

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 02:34 AM

Congratulations, Biskit. I wish you and your instrument much joy.
I once had a beat-up 1970 D-18 that was gorgeous...don't have it any more. I like my 000-X1, but it's not quite the same. Fortunately I'm not enough of a guitarist that it REALLY matters.


Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 05:35 AM

I'm life custodian of ol' Grandad, my 1968 D-28, serial number 246352 - life is good, isn't it?
Aren't Martins nice?

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: kendall
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 08:03 AM

I'll say it again, you can't beat a really good Martin. The problem is they are not all good. Their quality control is spasmodic, it ranges from top of the line to barely adequate.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Steve-o
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 11:52 AM

.....although when you get one from back in '46 like mine, quality control doesn't seem to be an issue.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:16 PM

My D-18 was made in 1967 - I bought it in 1969. I paid 250.00 for it - so I figure by now that it's cost me 2 cents per day to own it. That's a pretty good investment.

I think it was the guy that owned Neimans that said something along the lines of - "The sacrifice of a high price only stings once. The pain of low quality lasts forever".

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:25 PM

..so money being no object then...

is Martin D-28 primarily a solo performers guitar..

if recording electric bands with an acoustic as the main rythm guitar..

would the D-28 be appropriate..

or too bass heavy
.. and thus need to be so EQ'ed to make it sit comfortably
in the mix without muddying the lower mid/upper bass frequencies
of the other instruments..??

that you might just as well use a smaller thinner sounding guitar.. ??

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 01:37 PM

I think it's fine for either solo or working with a group.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Cool Beans
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 02:17 PM

That's been my experience, too. My 1962 D-28 sounds great by itself and plays well with others.
I'm the original owner, bought it for $225 from Sam Ash when Sam was only one store out in the wilds of Brooklyn. I still have the price tag.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 02:31 PM

Biskit I don't know if you're coming to the Getaway from sunny Arizona, and unfortunately it's unlikely that I will get down there in the 4 and a bit weeks I have in the US. However you'd be welcome to try my "new" 2000 D28 if you do, because I hope you'd find it just as nice as the one you tried. I was worried as so many people have said that Martin guitars are crap compared to what they used to be, but I love it dearly and find it a responsive guitar with a lovely base, which is what I prefer in a guitar.
Giok

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Peace
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 02:33 PM

Paid $350 for mine--but it came with a hard shell case.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 02:48 PM

Seems only fair!
G

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: kendall
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 03:38 PM

Martin guitars are NOT crap! Some are better than others, and a few are not up to par.

It seems that Martin no longer accepts repair work at their factory, but they authorize other luthiers around the country.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: GUEST,Martin gibson
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 04:06 PM

Wrong Kendall. They will accept repair work at the factory. Know someone who has theirs' in Nazarath, PA now. But what you say is true, some are better than others. Usually they range from great to grater.

I have a '71 D-18 that just rings. I prefer the D-18 for the brighter mid-range, but I love any of them, D-28, HD-28, D-35, and the J40 also.

These guitars set the standard that others achieve to be. Some have, some haven't.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Cool Beans
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 04:08 PM

Oh yeah, mine came with a hardshell case, too. It's still in that case, which is pretty dinged up. I had to put a new latch on it about 10 years ago.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 04:37 PM

Have you ever thought about taking it out of the case?
Giok ☺

Just kidding ☺☻☺☺☻

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: kendall
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 06:03 PM

MG I have a good friend who got a D 28 for Christmas two years ago and it was a mal adjusted piece of shit. Martin refused to take it back for repairs and told him that he would have to take it to an authorized luthier. The first one did it no good, the second made it worse, and when he told me about it I told him to take it to Buckdancers Choice here in Portland. He did, and it is now a kick ass guitar. That's all I know about it.

In 23 years my Taylor has suffered a split bridge. It cost me $50.00.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Biskit
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 06:33 PM

Thanks for all the great comments! I'll have to save up a bit before I can make it my own, (they aren't $350.00 anymore Peace,Ha!) hopefully I'll be able to find one with the same warmth and feel as the one I played last night. I actually woke up in the middle of the night thinking about her, and don't ask me how I know it's a "her" I just know that's all!
Thanks for the offer John, wish I could take you up on it but I just took the past couple of weeks off and I have to get back to work, that truck note won't make itself, where is the Getaway?? perhaps I'll be coming through, or near there. That would be entirely cool!
Peace! Through Understanding
~Biskit~

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Biskit
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 06:58 PM

Just looked up the info on "The Getaway" Man! I wish I could do something like that, It sounds like it'd be a hoot!! But, Salem, Va. is where I turn around and head west again. perchance you'll have it out this way sometime,..anyway I hope everyone has a great time and please,...drive safely!
Peace! Through Understanding
~Biskit~

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: GUEST,J
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 08:10 PM

Hi Bisket,
Posted my ownership of several Martins on another thread and consider them to be overpriced(today's market)and overrated unless you can find one of pre-C,S&N vintage. When the acoustic boom hit in the '70's they had to go to thicker bracing to keep the lifetime warranty. Quality control also suffered.

That being said if you find a guitar(in your case this particular D-28) that 'feels right' to you and can't afford it at the time pay as much as you can and work out the financial details with the store, bank or your brother-in-law. DON'T pass it up! You'll make the necessary adjustments. It's a spiritual thing. Without getting all goofey or gooey the guitar 'spoke' to you...there's a connection. Buy it! It belongs to YOU!

In five years do you want the regret of not buying the guitar or 4 years of memories of music made on an instrument it took you a year of hard work to pay off?

YOU DESERVE IT!!...Geez, I'm turning into Oprah or something...

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: biglappy
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 08:39 PM

The best way to have a Martin you love is to buy an old 00-18 used for $225 in 1972 and play it every day for 33 years except when it's in the shop because you maintain it carefully. You can get an old Gibson LG-1 for $300 off of Ebay 4 years ago to play for variety and to remind you how great your Martin is.

Good instruments are a matter of quality, price, maintenance, personal taste, and the good sense to love what you have rather than suffer because there may be a better instrument out there somewhere.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: kendall
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 08:40 PM

Opportunity knocks, but you have to open the door. Grab it or regret it.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: number 6
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 09:15 PM

"Good instruments are a matter of quality, price, maintenance, personal taste, and the good sense to love what you have rather than suffer because there may be a better instrument out there somewhere."
... well said biglappy.

With all this guitar talk going on here on the Mudcat ... I'm reminded of some quote I read a while back by Pat Metheny .. I dug it out and here it is ..

" i think that the romance that one has with the idea of a particular instrument is often largely psycological - i know it is in my case. if you spend a lot of time with a halfway decent instrument, you tend to bond with it somehow. could be a silvertone or a d'angelico. me,i like em all -- it is the time that i spend with an instrument that takes it to that other level of appreciation."

sIx

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Biskit
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 11:59 PM

Thanks,for the input, it is much appreciated. I have an Ibanez Performance that is really a wonderful guitar,
and a Washburn/Oscar Schmidt that my Brother gave me when I showed up once broke and guitarless, and a Fender Concord I used as a beach/mountain/camping out guitar, and a Wasburn Rover for my truck..and enough spare parts to probably build a couple more,...She really did speak to me though,..
If it's still there in a couple of months,...with the price on her I've a feeling she'll still be there and I'll take her home then. If I still played for my living it'd be different I'd buy it now ...Oh Gawwd!!(as he tears at his thinning hair!) I want it really bad but I just can't justify it.
Peace! Through Understanding
~Biskit~

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 12:27 AM

Justify it to whom, Biskit?

If you really, really, REALLY love this guitar...buy it! Never pass up an opportunity to bring joy to your life and the lives of those around you. I may not always live by that maxim, but I do believe it.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: beardedbruce
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 03:10 PM

I may have to give Amos some slack, after all. Anyone who has and appreciates a D-35 can't be all bad...

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: kendall
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 04:18 PM

Here again, I've seen some really good D 35s and some real dogs.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: number 6
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 10:38 PM

One fo the best guitars I have ever played was a D35 ... and also one of the most disappointing ones was a D35.

sIx

Subject: Lyr Add: D-18 SONG (THANK YOU MR MARTIN)
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 11:35 PM

Figured this would be a good place to put this, an opinion in song. Couldn't locate my CD to check it out, but I figure this is pretty close.


The D-18 Song (Thank You, Mister Martin)
Jerry Faires (as sung by Norman Blake)

In a pawn shop in Odessa in the fall of '64
The pawn shop man was leavin', he was lockin' up the door
I ran up just in time and I hollered through the screen
Hey, man, you got any good guitars in here,
he said, "I got this D-18."

So I gave him a hundred dollars and I took that sucker home
I cleaned it up and strung it, hit a chord, and heard that tone
It was crisp and clean, rich and full, all a guitar ought to be
I said Thank you, Mr, Martin, you made this D-18 for me.

    Said Thank you, Mr. Martin, I'm all right
    'Cause once again this old guitar helped me through the night
    I'm mighty grateful to you, you know how to make 'em right
    I said Thank you, Mr. Martin, I'm all right.

If I'm feelin' down and worthless and I haven't got a dime
Wonderin' if I spent my life just wastin' my time
I pick up that old guitar, some paper, and a pen
I say Thank you, Mr. Martin, you saved my life again.

I've written songs about my lovers, my family, and my friends
My wife, my child, the old home place, and the road that never ends
Heroes, hobos, rock n' roll, and a honky tonk queen
I wrote 'em all without exception on my Martin D-18.

Now It was made way back In '43 when I was just a kid
I believe it's about the best thing Mr. Martin ever did
It plays real good, stays in tune, and never treats me mean
Thank God for Mr. Martin and that fine old D-18.

Well there's your Gallagher, your Gibson, your Goya, Gretch, and Guild
I've played every kind of guitar that them guitar makers build
I've picked on a lot of axes but the best I've ever seen
Is my funky, beat-up, wonderful old Martin D-18.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: beardedbruce
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 09:58 AM

Hey, I'll take one of those "bad" D-35s and see what I can do with it, if the price was low enough. Just replace the body and tweek the neck...

Much as I like the D-42s and D-45s I have seen, the D-35 I have heard seem to have the sweetest tones. Maybe I just have not run into the "bad" ones...

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 03:43 PM

Just wanted to chime in and second what Mark Cohen said. If you really love it, make a way. I fell in love with a Taylor 12 string last February. Part of me said I had no way to justify buying it. Another part said, "This is a special guitar. You may not find another like soon, if ever." I went with the buy it part. It was definitely a stretch economically and marriage-wise (i.e. do you need another guitar?), but it has been the right decision.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: van lingle
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 05:16 AM

I had been looking for a dreadnaught for the last couple of years and A/B'ed a lot of instruments in the 2 to 3K price range and I played a bunch of D-28's and HD-28's, a nice used Collings, a Santa Cruz, a Bourgeois Vintage D but wound up with a used Huss & Dalton TDR. I have to admit that the quality of the HD-28's I played was surprisingly consistent. I don't think I played one that didn't sound good but I wound up with the H&D because it had the sound (more balanced, not too boomy with a good whoompf in the mid-range and a loud clear treble) and playability I was looking for.
For me it's Ears, Hands, Eyes.......................Name on headstock.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: GUEST,Guest M
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 11:35 PM

Recently "retired" from playing out professionally, so decided to sell some back up equipment to purchase the acoustic guitar of my dreams. Have a Guild D-25 from 1988, which I'll never part with, but I want a step up, you know.

Of course, I've tried everything I could get my hands on, but when I tried an HD-28 for the first time, my experience was like Biskit's in the message that started this thread. Wow! This is the sound I've always looked for (or listened) for. I've found very little deviation from one to another, although I've noticed some in the D-35's I've tried, curiously. Have noticed huge differnces in all guitars I've tried if the strings are worn, which is often the case, especially in chain stores.

I haven't found anything else that hits me like the HD-28. The Taylors are all nice, but not what I'm looking for. Of the smaller handcrafters, like Santa Cruz, Bourgoise, Huss & Dalton, etc. the only other I've tried that impressed me as much as the HD-28 was a Collings, unfortunately much more money. There are others that sound better electrified, esp. Taylor, but I definitely am totally taken by the Martin. Now, I'm just about $600.00 shy.....

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Peace
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 12:07 AM

"I Played a Martin D-28 today"

Yeah, man, I know what you mean.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 10:02 AM

I crashed my beautiful Fiat Scud into the front window of our local guitar shop at 50miles an hour this morning. The van finally came to rest in the back wall of the shop after having crushed dozens of Martins beneath its wheels.
                The shop owner helped me out of my wrecked vehicle and was very philosophical about the accident, all he said was "Ah well, at least they weren't Yamahas"

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: number 6
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 11:46 PM

Is your Scud ok Ted ??

sIx

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: Peace
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 11:49 PM

ft, if that's true, I am glad you're OK.

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: tarheel
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 08:23 AM

i have an early 90's, D-41,and it's a sweet instrument! bought it used from a fellow who lived a few miles from me and was selling all his musical instruments which included banjo's,fiddles and mandolins..i was so excited to get the martin D-41,i never bothered to s=tay around to find out why he was selling them at that time!
but,it's a really good guitar and in love the sound! had it since 1999...i had just retired and used some of my 401k to buy it!
never regretted it either!

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 09:10 PM

I always wanted to have a D-28 to play as my guitar for performance purposes. But there was always those twilight times when my Martin needed major repair work---usually because I had over used it in some manner. I only had one good performance guitar at a time as I never was a collector of multiple guitars. I never could afford more.

One time, when my guitar was in need of a fret job and some real neck work to straighten it out after it had way too heavy strings on it for way too long, I tried out a Gurian guitar at a friend's shop. Pretty much on a whim, I traded the Martin for the Gurian which really did have fine tone balance. That became a tough time for me. The Gurian sounded nice ---but it didn't hold up. I had to have the neck adjusted about 4 or 5 times.--With the strange way Michael Gurian had of attaching the neck to the body on his guitars, that wasn't an easy thing to do.--- It was a dovetail arrangement with shims wedged inside to hold the neck securely in place. It wasn't unlike how it's done on a banjo in some ways. ------ Mainly, the Gurian became unreliable. I just didn't trust it; not a good way to have a relationship endure. And I REALLY missed the (((((BOOMING B-A-S-S))))) of the dreadnaught!!

Just about that time, I was asked by Kicking Mule Records to make an LP for them---and I was stuck with a guitar I wasn't happy with...

I've recounted this tale before here in the foum. So, here's a synopsis:

In a nutshell, I bought a raffle tiket on a seemingly overpriced Martin D-76 Bicentennial limitged edition guitar-----and I won! Wound up driving through an ice storm around the southern end of Lake Michigan from my gig in Crown Point, Indiana to the Old Town School Of Folk Music's annual George Washingtons Birthday All Night Party to pick up my prize.

Many of my wonderful religious friends have told me, over the last 30 years, that it truly tested their faith to have a non-believer like me walk away with that guitar----the same one I eventually made into a 9-string guitar hoping to strum more and pick less (sort of frail it) as my hands got more numb.

To paraphrase John Hartford, "A Martin will get you through times of no money, but money won't get you through times of no Martin!"

I can vouch for that one!!! It was the only guitar for me. It just felt good to cradle it while you were picking on it. The WOOD vibrating against your body was absolutely sensual.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: beardedbruce
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 08:52 PM

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/hidden.php

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: GUEST,Oregonfolkie
Date: 12 Nov 05 - 09:20 PM

I bought the D-28 I have in 1974 from a shop in Cambridge, MA. It was a year old when I bought it and I think I paid $350. I do love this instrument, mostly because it's the only thing I've had such a long standing, close relationship with and because the sound is so well balanced. I've had to have neck work done on it and had the frets replaced and the inevitable crack from the sound hold to the bridge fixed, and there's some other work I have to have done when I get the funds. I've chosen not to try and have a pickup installed, I like the sound through a mike much better. I have tried other instruments from time to time, have owned other guitars (now all sold), don't think I'll ever sell this one though. I think a part of personal preference is how I hear the sound, or maybe how accustomed I am to how this guitar sounds, nothing else seems right. Other guitars are too bright or brassy or boomy or not worn in to my liking or .....you get the picture. But I don't think that this is true of Martins in general, I agree with the quote from somebody quite a few posts back that it's about personally connecting with an instrument. I know that my guitar while I was in high school was a Stella and in my memory (high school now some 40 years upstream)THAT guitar was amazing....

Subject: RE: I Played a Martin D-28 today,....
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 05 - 12:01 AM

I've got a orignal sigma martin Cir: 1970"s for sale. tryed lesson"s didn't work wanted to be an instant Jimmhy Page , anyways for sale beautiful sound.....you know what I mean ... orginal. taking offers

At the time Jimmy Page

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