Subject: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,Lanfranc the Cookieless Date: 26 Feb 06 - 08:09 PM Once upon a time, a Martin guitar was a comparatively rare sight in a UK Folk Club. Nowadays, at least at the sessions and clubs that I go to regularly, there are hundreds of them. Some of them are basic laminate or composite entry-level insruments, but many are higher spec D-35 or even D-41 models. As a long-time enthusiast for Martins (I've owned one since 1969) who was first infected by the likes of Tom Paxton, Martin Carthy and Paul McNeill, I'm not sure how I feel about this abundance. It's almost like being the passionate owner of a vintage Bentley and having to come to terms with the new-found popularity of VW-made Arnages. What truly amazes me is that I have yet to come across a "bad" example of a modern Martin. OK, the later gold headstock decals are less subtle than that on my older guitar, the fingerboard may be Micarta, the table composite or even aluminium, they may have yukky "cowboy" decorations, but all those I have heard or tried seem to sound and play well. Whether some of the more outre materials will prove good in the long term remains to be seen, but ..... Any comments from other Martin afficionados out there. Alan |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Peace Date: 26 Feb 06 - 08:23 PM Martin knows how to make guitars. They are the upper end of mass-produced instruments, IMO. My D-28 has taken a beating--major repairs three times. Still sounds good. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Once Famous Date: 26 Feb 06 - 08:40 PM I perform with and play with a 1971 D-18. Every time I play it, I am amazed at it's sound, playability, and appearance. Martin has taken the famous name and logo and made it affordable to own one with models like the DM, DR, and DX-1. Even so, a DM is about $500 which is still higher than the Seagulls and Yamahas owt there. But there is such a thing as brand value. Martin recognizes that. Selling a ton of them is their rightfully deserved pay off for the integrity they have nurtured in their name. You should see what it's like at a bluegrass festival. Not a Taylor to be seen anywhere. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 26 Feb 06 - 08:47 PM Martins are good guitars, but they're so common around here that we use 'em for kindling when the Taylors are all gone. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Once Famous Date: 26 Feb 06 - 08:52 PM OK, you started it. Taylors blow. 9 out 10 decent guitarists ignore them. They have about as soul as a white man from Nebraska. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 26 Feb 06 - 08:58 PM And here we go again... |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Once Famous Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:16 PM Taylor and wooden match manufacturers get their wood from the same supplier. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:20 PM Yep, this one. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Peace Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:24 PM Met a fellow last week. Said he was the purchaser for a toothpick company and he'd come to Alberta to buy a tree. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Anonny Mouse Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:26 PM This kinda puts me in mind of the fun we used to have as kids arguin' over Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge etc. Hey Martin--I was actually at a bluegrass fest in Pa. a coupla years back and DID spot some Taylors! Go figger. But yer right--the vast majority of players got them big ol' "D's" slung 'round their necks. Thing is, I like a buncha guitars for their own unique sound. Bob Taylor'll tell ya he ain't building Martins or going for a Martin sound-and Chris Martin IV will tell ya the same thing about HIS guitars-not trying to imitate Taylors--and like it or not, I think the competition's been good for BOTH companies-and Martin's using about as much CNC and automation now as they used to complain about Taylor--and making some of the best guitars out there. I find there are things I like about Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Larrivee, Tacoma (which I guess Fender's bought along with Guild and rolled them both into the old Tacoma plant) Lowden, Goodall, even Rainsong! I also think pissing contests on who's is best is pretty worthless since its a real subjective thing--like folks who prefer a Steinway to a Baldwin or favor Yamaha or Kawai in pianos. Each have a kinda signature sound-so your "soulless" is someone else's "pure" y'know? AND I betch you'd defend to the death yer favs--MARTIN, GIBSON--am I right or what? But I'll give ya this much without getting into specifics of what I like about all those brands I named (waaaaaay tooooo loooong!!!)-that "1833" has earned Martin a lot of cache, cred and CASH! I say buy yerself a guitar YOU like the sound of, playability of, workmanship of, and wood combos--and maybe once you've done THAT, worry about whose name's on the headstock...I've played clunkers in all the brands I mentioned...and others I'd give anything to own myself if I had the money! |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,Wood and Steel Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:28 PM It's a pity when someone feeks so insecure about his own preferences that he has to tear down the preferences of others. Taylors are excellent guitars, competitive with Martins, and are preferred by many well known professional guitarists. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Don Firth Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:36 PM Well said, Anonny. I have never owned a Taylor, but I know several people who do, and they're nice handling, fine sounding instruments. I've owned a couple of Martins and liked them real well. But for my purposes, I've found guitars that I like much better. Right now, I own three guitars with names not very many people would recognize (folkies anyway), but I'll match them against any guitars out there. Don Firth |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Beer Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:38 PM If you get the chance, take a listen to the "Blueridge " guitar from China. Yes China. Unbelievable sound. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Anonny Mouse Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:54 PM Hey Don--I'd be curious about watcha own; I don't think Lowdens or Goodalls have much "folk" association, or bluegrass association either. Don't know much about Fylde (sp?) guitars, or Avalon since Geo Lowden forced them into the new name, to mention a coupla others. Dana Bourgeois makes a sig model slope shoulder named after Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, and I've seen more than a couple of "Country Boys" at fests too. Beer---them thar Blueridges got themselves a lotta buzz going although I don't much care for the MOP overload on the headstock, but the solid wood models they were selling got a lot of great reviews. Guild has a Chinese line (GAD's I think) and Breedlove's got a Korean import too. Maybe China's gonna be the new Japan for Asian import gits. Yow! Now I'm sure ol' Martin'll be back with his input on all this-but I'm no rocket scientist-it's pretty obvious anyone with a screen name of MARTIN GIBSON has made his choices pretty clear! I guess I'd want to avoid the "Felix" model Martin makes. :>) |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Richard Bridge Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:22 PM The point is often made (including above) that you seldom hear a bad Martin. A chap I know has just bought a D-35 off ebay I and AFAIK others who listen to it think the sound is poor - a tinny, jangly, tizzy sound. Now this may be setup - the action is not that good, and that may be because there is a high point on the neck, which may in turn creating a playing rattle, but it may not, and it has not added to my respect for the make. Conversely others above speak highly of Martin playability. Playability is (assuming the two basics of scale length and a properly working truss-rod are right) 99% setup, and very little to do with the manufacturer. And oddly one of the finest sounding Martin 000s I ever heard had a truly horrible action. Also it is possible to impair sound with an action that is too low, or a breakover angle that is too low, or setting the trussrod too tight and losing the necessary forward progression of the neck. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Once Famous Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:27 PM Well, mouse if someone likes the sound of a $74 Carlo Robelli, that's just great. But I reserve the right to tell them their taste leaves a lot to be desired. I HAVE tried some very decent Taylors. They most certainly are better than a 1960s Stella. They have a bit more volume, do not feature a painted on pickguard, and do not have to advertise they have a steel reinforced neck. There is a reason that Bob Taylor is not trying to make a Martin and that is because he can't. They are the anti-Martin and for good reason. If you are proud to own a Taylor, that's wonderful. It's wonderful if you want a guitar that cannot cut through a group of other stringed instruments to pick a lead on unless everyone else stops playing. BTW, I would also take a Blueridge any time over a Taylor, and lastly it wasn't me who started this round of guitar insults, it was Bee-dubya-el, a Taylor guy. So, Taylor folkies, you have one of your own to blame and now you have to pay the price. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Don Firth Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:27 PM Anonny, I play nylon-string classics for both classic guitar stuff and song accompaniment. I know that's not everybody's cup of tea, but I do a lot of early ballads where a lute-style accompaniment sounds appropriate, so they work well for me. My first classic was a Martin 00-28-G, which was a heck of a nice instrument. But I was a member of the Seattle Classic Guitar Society at the time, and was soon introduced to European guitars, particularly Spanish-made. I currently own a Japanese classic imported, inspected, and approved by luthier José Oribé. A lot of Japanese-made classics look exactly like the José Ramirez 1A concert classics (Segovia played one). The Oribé import sounds so good that I've had a lot of knowledgeable classic guitarists assume that it was a José Ramirez 1A. Not bad for a guitar that only cost about 15% of what I would have had to pay for a concert-grade Ramirez. I also have an Arcangel Fernandez flamenco guitar. I got it in 1961, ordering it directly from Fernandez in Madrid. I paid about $175 for it at the time, and it sounded absolutely fantastic! I later learned that Montoya, Sabicas, and several other big-name flamenco guitarists were using Arcangels. I checked a couple of years ago and learned that now, a 1961 Arcangel in good condition is worth somewhere between $12,000 and $18,000! I'm afraid to take it out of the house! In spite of this rather spectacular lumber, the guitar I probably play the most is a little nylon-string Go travel guitar made by Sam Radding in San Diego (Clicky). It's real handy, and I keep it within arms' reach almost all the time. For something that looks like a cross between a guitar and a canoe paddle, it actually sounds like a real guitar! I've actually used in a number of gigs and people have asked me if it's a period instrument of some kind. When I went shopping for a travel guitar, I tried a Martin Backpacker, but it sounded like a dulcimer with sinus trouble. The Go has an amazing voice for so small a box. But then, a Martin Backpacker can hardly be considered a Martin at all. One of my guitar students has an Alvarez AC60S classic, made in China. For a relatively inexpensive guitar, it's a helluva nice instrument! Don Firth |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Anonny Mouse Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:40 PM Sounds like a setup problem to me--or someone was messing with the truss rod to adjust action, which is not the purpose of the truss rod. It adjusts neck relief (or bow). I've read most Martins (esp. the "D's") come from the factory with a rather high action, which bluegrass players seem to favor. Probably this guitar's buzzing or tinny tone could be eliminated with any number of approaches--but here's what Frank Ford over on Frets.com has to say about truss rods-and he knows a thing or 2 about guitar maintenance: "The single most common misconception is that truss rods are for adjusting action or intonation. While adjusting the truss rod does affect the playing action, that's a side effect and not the purpose for the adjustment. As a general rule, once the nut and truss rod are set, all action adjustment is done at the bridge, by raising or lowering the saddle. Intonation is affected by action, too, so correcting the action may improve intonation, but again, that's a side effect." Maybe a new saddle (maybe bone) and a new nut and proper asjustment at the bridge and nut will eliminate the tone problems. Also, if someone has messed with the trussrod a good guitar tech or luthier could get proper neck relief pretty easily. All sorts of people think the material of the nut, saddle and bridgepins--not to mention STRINGS-will have the biggest impact on the sound. Worth looking into as a D35 is usually a cannon of a guitar. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Big Mick Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:42 PM My Larrivee will play with any them. I have had any number of Bluegrass pickers play it and rave over it. It has a wonderful action, a wonderful voice, and projects with the best of them. Not trying to be inflammatory here. The comment made by one bluegrass picker was "Now that is a pickers guitar". Martin, you seem to project that Bluegrass is the be all and end all of musicianship and the ultimate test of how a guitar can cut through. Tried any Irish session work lately? Not the run of the mill stuff but real players? Mick |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Once Famous Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:43 PM That is exactly right, mouse. Even changing from those girlish light guage strings to medium bronze phosphors will get that Martin ringing and singing. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Once Famous Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:45 PM No, Mick. I try not to be bored. American bluegrass has much hotter flatpickers. To much Irish whiskey can make anything sound good. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Big Mick Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:48 PM Martin, I was not trying to be insulting. Quit being an asshole. I don't insult your genre, leave mine alone. I have heard plenty of hack bluegrass folks too. Every genre has them. Mick |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:52 PM For a Jewish Bluegrass player from Chicago, he sure likes to deal in stereotypes. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Anonny Mouse Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:08 PM Geez-by the time I posted there were 3 more-I hope it was pretty obvious I was talkin' about Richard Bridge's post. And yeah, Don I have heard of some of the guitars you mention--but I really don't know much about Classical gits. And sometime someone will have to 'splain to me the difference between a Flamenco guitar and a Classical guitar. Now I don't think the level of guitars were talkin about here quite droops to Carlo Robelli or Stella/Silvertones (and I DID own one of them with a screwed on white plastic pickguard-but hey-it was my first guitar-I'd never confuse it with a decent instrument). Now as to those Blueridges---some dude swapped a D28 for a Blueridge Indian rosewood/spruce straight up. So he obviously heard something he liked a lot with 'em. Frankly I wouldnt do that--or for a Taylor either! Been to the BR Forum and first off they only offer a 1 year warranty-and seems most of their business is done through internet "stores"-also they've had a number of the returned with cracked tops I read about-won't find THAT happening on a Martin or Taylor or whatever...and if it did, you'd have a lifetime warranty if YOU bought the guitar. And you wouldn't need to send it to CHINA to get a fix! Lastly I was really surprised by how nice the Larrivees were-played one of their D60's and it is a worthy entry into the dread bluegrass market. Forgot to mention Collings too. Lotsa choices, like I said, and if YOU like it then that's the main thing. I'd never invest in a guitar based only on the name--gotta play it because they all vary and no two of even the same model are ever identical. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:14 PM Martin - I believe you misread my post. It said: Martins are good guitars, but they're so common around here that we use 'em for kindling when the Taylors are all gone. I meant that we don't start pitching the Martins in the fire until we've already burned up the Taylors. It's a joke. I'm not a "Taylor guy". I currently own three Martins, two Gibsons, five other hand-made guitars, and no Taylors. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: number 6 Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:39 PM My wife was going to get me this broken up Martin D-18 for my birthday as a surprise until she asked for my friend's advice yesterday morning before going to make the deal ... thank God he told her this particular one was not worth it. Anyway ... completely happy with my Taylor, I feel there is no need or room for a Martin. sIx |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Anonny Mouse Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:43 PM " I meant that we don't start pitching the Martins in the fire until we've already burned up the Taylors. It's a joke. I'm not a "Taylor guy"..." That's kinda how I read it myself, but then thought maybe I was missing the point. Remind me to drop in on your next campfire or whatever-I think I'd like to borrow some of your kindling. ;>) |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Richard Bridge Date: 27 Feb 06 - 03:50 AM Yes Mr Mouse. Theoretically there is only one correct forward progression (or relief) - for a given saddle height - namely the one that has the string leave the fret at exactly the same angle all the way up the neck. Likewise there is only one correct saddle height to achieve a required action height at the octave (or at the body join, that is a debatable issue) for a given neck angle (the angle of the neck block) - the same piece of maths... and the only correct nut height is such that the action at the first fret is the same as the action open. Stating this is simple and mechanically obvious. Achieving it is rather harder! |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Big Al Whittle Date: 27 Feb 06 - 04:04 AM Jasper Carrot entrance line:- (pointing to guitar headstock) see that!......Martin! he wants it back tomorrow.... |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,Lanfranc the Cookieless Date: 27 Feb 06 - 04:12 AM I've even come up with a song to voice my feelings on this subject. "One too many Martins" (apologies to R. Zimmerman) In the bar the session's starting The guitars come from their case The guitarists look around them As each one takes their place And the headstock decals twinkle As they players start to tune For there's one too many Martins At least a dozen in the room! From the corner of the bar-room My thoughts they start to fade And I cast my mind back many years When there were fewer Martins made And my '68 D-18 Was respectably rare Now there are far too many Martins At least two for each guitar player It's a sad and vacant feeling That can do a chap no good When everything I'm playing Some youngster plays it twice as good And now they've all got Martins My advantage is no more And as for one too many Martins I must plead guilty – I've got four! Alan Who owns the aforesaid '68 D-18, a '97 SPD-16, a '98 DM-12 and a '94 000C-16GTE! |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,Lanfranc the Cookieless Date: 27 Feb 06 - 04:22 AM Sorry, still coming to terms with the 21st century - the 000C-16GTE is 2004 not 1994, not that it matters. I have owned Taylors, Gibsons a Guild or two and an early Lowden (contemplated a Fylde once, but I've always been prejudiced against the zero fret), not to mention a variety of Far East models (predominately Washburns). Nowadays if I want to be different, I take my 1996 Zemaitis copy. It's a bit gaudy, but plays well and sounds good. Alan |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST Date: 27 Feb 06 - 04:57 AM I've tried a good few guitars, and the Martin is the only one I know that's loud and clear enough to accompany, fingerstyle, unplugged, tenor banjo or octave mandolin played with a plectrum. Hence two on my stand. Tom Bliss |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Ernest Date: 27 Feb 06 - 07:47 AM good one, Llanfranc! So what about Martin mandolins and Martin ukes, to broaden the subject a little... Best Ernest |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Once Famous Date: 27 Feb 06 - 08:01 AM Cluin, most stereotypes started with some kind of real truth. OK, Bee-dub-ya, if I misread your post, sorry. but try to find another joke-writer! Mick, you are so sennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnsitive. Now, quit calling people assholes and clean up your act on the forum, please. Anyone ever see the Unofficial Martin Guitar forum? http://p082.ezboard.com/btheunofficialmartinguitarforum Has over 8200 registered members. I tried looking at the Taylor forum but it seems to be disconnected due to lack of interest. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,number 6 Date: 27 Feb 06 - 08:33 AM MG ... try the Accoustic Guitar forum ... it was originally the Taylor unoffical forum but now it emcompasses all accoustics with one sperate section for Taylors. //www.accousticguitarforum.com It's a good forum. sIx |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Peace Date: 27 Feb 06 - 10:21 AM Martin's link. sIx's link. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Wesley S Date: 27 Feb 06 - 11:03 AM My understanding of the Unofficial Taylor guitar forum is that for whatever reason Taylor asked them to remove the Taylor name. They can be very picky about their image. And that's why they have the name they use now. I also notice that rarely - if ever - do we see any women participating in these "my guitar can beat up your guitar" threads. I find that interesting. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST Date: 27 Feb 06 - 11:53 AM Wesley, you show remarkable restraint in this "my guitar can beat up your guitar" by not mentioning the C word ....... cheers, Terry |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,number 6 Date: 27 Feb 06 - 12:09 PM Thanks Peace for posting the link ... I highly recommend any one who has an intersist in accoustic guitars to visit that link ... lots info on all brands of accoustics ... and if you are strictly interested in Taylors there is a special forum for them also. sIx |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Wesley S Date: 27 Feb 06 - 01:06 PM Terry - If by the C word you mean "Collings" guitars - yeah they spank everything being made currently today. Why - the last time I played my Collings Lester Flatt and Bill Monroe both sat up in their graves and said - in unison - "Damn - that's one fine geetar. I sure with those had been around while we were out on the road". Only modesty prevents me from telling y'all that story. But it's a good one. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Don Firth Date: 27 Feb 06 - 03:18 PM Interesting to note that there have been a number of "blind tests" of guitars, in which various makes of guitars are played behind a curtain, and the people out front (usually passionate advocates of one brand or another) are asked to rate the guitars in terms of sound, volume, balance between bass and treble, carrying power, sustain, etc. It's amusing and amazing the number of times the expensive, well-known, brand-name guitars wind up down the list and some fairly inexpensive "sushi-board" tops the vote. Takamine's seem to do quite well in these contests. They don't have the pizzazz of the "elite" brands like Martin, Gibson, Taylor, et al, but they do seem to have the mojo. Or so keen, knowledgeable ears, unprejudiced by labels, seem to indicate. Greetings, Anonny. Here's more than anyone could possibly want to know about flamenco guitars:— Up until recently, the main difference between a classic guitar and a flamenco guitar was in the woods used. Both classics and flamencos usually have a spruce soundboard, although within recent years, red cedar has been used a lot. Red cedar is an excellent tone wood, especially for classics. The back and sides of a top-quality classic guitar are usually made of rosewood. The back and sides of a traditional flamenco guitar are made of Spanish cypress (sort of yellow or light orange). Flamenco pretty much originated with the Andalusian gypsies. They were not particularly flush and generally couldn't afford expensive guitars. They bought instruments made of fairly cheap, easily accessible woods, such as Spanish cypress (locally available rather than imported, like Brazilian or Indian rosewood). Also, traditional flamenco guitars didn't have geared tuning machines; they had straight one-to-one ration push-pegs (a real bitch to tune!). Cheaper. With classic guitars, the luthier is trying for a rich, full, warm sound, with all of the characteristics mentioned in the first paragraph above: volume, balance between bass and treble, carrying power, sustain, etc., suitable for Bach, Sor, Tàrrega, Aquado, Villa-Lobos, all those guys. All these things are important to a flamenco guitarist as well, but the main traditional use of the flamenco guitar was to provide a strong rhythmic accompaniment for dancers. A percussive sound with lots of bite to it. Also, flamenco guitarists like a very low action—strings close to the fingerboard. So close, in fact, that they sometimes buzz against the frets. But this needs to be controllable. Buzz when you want it, not when you don't. Also flamenco guitarists almost always use a capo, or çejilla, at around the third, fourth, or fifth fret, to move the action up to where the frets are closer together, facilitating fast scales and other single note passages (picado). A good flamenco guitar has a real "Spanish accent." Using a flamenco guitar as a solo instrument in concerts, like Carlos Montoya, Sabicas, Mario Escudero, and others did is relatively recent. Also, luthiers who normally made only classic guitars, turning to making high-quality flamenco guitars to supply such people as Montoya, et al is also fairly recent (maybe the last seventy-five years or so). Within recent years, instead of a flamenco guitar being just a classic guitar made of cheap woods with the action adjusted low, luthiers have been refining certain aspects of making flamenco guitars. The soundboard is sanded a little thinner that on a classic, and oftentimes the body of a flamenco guitar is not quite as deep as that of a classic (distance between soundboard and back). Also, sometimes they set the neck at a minutely different angle in relation to the soundboard. Very recently (last thirty years or so) some luthiers have been making flamenco guitars in two flavors: flamenco blanca, made with cypress back and sides (sometimes maple or other light woods—is cypress no longer inexpensive?), and flamenco negro, made with rosewood or other dark colored, denser woods, generally giving the guitar a somewhat richer, less "bitey" tone. Other than low action and a few barely noticeable details of construction, there is very little difference between a classic and a flamenco negro guitar. Arcangel Fernandez, who made my flamenco guitar, turned out to be one of the top young luthiers in Madrid, which I didn't know at the time. He makes both classics and flamencos. Montoya and others were starting to use his flamenco guitars, which I also didn't know at the time. So I was just damned lucky to get my name in the pot before he became more famous and the price went up! My guitar has a spruce soundboard and a cypress back and sides. Fernandez gave me the option of geared tuning pegs or push-pegs. Flamenco "purists" insist on push-pegs, claiming that any metal, other than the frets, pollutes the pure flamenco tone, but that's a load of dingo's kidneys. I had another flamenco guitar with push-pegs, and it was a monster to keep in tune, so I wasn't going to mess with that. Geared tuning pegs for me. When I first got it (made to order and shipped air-freight from Madrid) in 1961, I was somewhat disappointed. It was absolutely gorgeous, but the tone sounded a bit mushy. But within a couple of weeks of playing, its voice opened up amazingly! And over the past forty-five years, it's just got better and better. Even though it has a real bite to it, it has a very warm tone, and it's loud! It can easily fill a concert hall. And has. Fernandez is still busy "makin' sawdust," but he's no longer taking orders. He figures it will take him ten years to fill the orders that he has now. That's why guitars like mine are worth as much as they are. Many of the current crop of flamenco guitarists lust after an "Arcangel," and are willing to shell out mucho bucks for an older one in good condition, which mine is. This guitar is an identical twin to mine. Clicky. Headstock, rosette, everything. This one is #156. Mine is a bit earlier: #135. I was one lucky sucker to get that guitar when I did! Don Firth |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Anonny Mouse Date: 27 Feb 06 - 04:06 PM Don-thanks for the info. As I said, pretty unfamiliar with the whole Classical/Flamenco genre of guitars. Quite an elightening presentation that must've taken awhile to write up. So, thanks. And yeah-sounds like you did alright, and have a great investment there. Hope you never have to sell it...but if ya did, you might be lookin' at a lot of $$$. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 27 Feb 06 - 05:57 PM I was just wondering, MG, since you don't slot into any stereotype yourself, why do you assume everyone else does? |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Peace Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:00 PM Y'all sound like people who are envious of the only REAL guitar: Stella. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:08 PM Had a Stella once, when I was a kid. It was my learner guitar. Action you could drive a truck under. It's amazing I stuck with it. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Peace Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:16 PM Mine was like that. I put flat-wound electric strings on it (acoustic guitar), sanded the surfaces and painted it with white enamel. One day I dropped it from the third floor balcony. Ran down to get it and assess the damage. The paint got scratched. Didn't hurt the sound one little bit. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:19 PM I used Black Diamond flat-wounds, just like my Dad did on his Gibson. Yep, Stella WAS a tough old bird. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Peace Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:23 PM Oh yeah. Two of the tuning keys got bent. Straightened them out with a pair of plyers. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Don Firth Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:44 PM Well . . . Leadbelly played a Stella 12-string. Of course, he could crush walnuts with his bare hands. Don Firth |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:57 PM Poor Wal. Peace, All a true guitar tech needs is a pair of linesman's pliers and a framing hammer. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Peace Date: 27 Feb 06 - 07:02 PM LOL You da man, Cluin. I knew you'd understand. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Songster Bob Date: 27 Feb 06 - 11:42 PM Those Stellas that were made of 3/4" plywood were latter-day ones, made by Harmony. Even then, there were decent Harmony-Stellas, like 12-strings, along with those cheap Stellas. The Stella used by Leadbelly was an early one, made by the Stella company before it came under the ownership of Harmony. Those early Stellas were not really high-grade boxes, either, just better than the Harmony ones. I think Stella was owned at one time, perhaps from the git-go, but Oscar Schmidt (the makers of all those autoharps). There are new Leadbelly "Stellas" being made today, by the way. They are expensive, but man, oh man. They are the Del Arte 12-strings. The scale length is like 26.5" and they won't tune to modern pitch. Ed |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Bert Date: 28 Feb 06 - 03:08 AM Lanfranc, It's known as Peter's Placebo which states that "an ounce of image is worth a pound of performance" But don't worry, wait until summer and they'll keep all those mosquitoes down. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,Nitro Cellulosisicity Date: 28 Feb 06 - 04:43 PM MArtins are a placebo as the spiffy little scroll of their name and date will cause all sorts of people to go apolectic. They use the same computer driven shapers as Taylors or whoever. Stupid comparison-they are no more handbuilt than the glove compartment in my car including the hinges. What a joke. There are tons of better sounding, playing, value driven insturments out there. Any of you ever heard of Collings? Or Bourgeois? Or Santa Cruz? There's a guy in Watress Texas who'll built you a Gallagher Guitar that will blow away anything Martin has to offer. Go ask Doc Watson. Or half a dozen bluegrass icons. Ever play a Huss and Dalton? Mindblowing!! Small shop great guitars. SOrry but the days of Martin and the joke company Gibson which sells crap to discount chains being bIG names is over so get over it. Martin makes nice guitars but only if youre willing to plunk down the bucks for their "Special Models" named after celebs. They have so many signature models its a joke. Gibson???????????????? Check out Ebay for what THEY go for. Nobody serious takes Gibson seriously----they got hijacked by their bosses. Hey would I take a free Martin? Hey maybe,. Depends on the model of which there are currently 467-the website lists em all. Get yourself a Eric Clapton model and drool uncontrollably. Whens the Bobby Sherman sig series coming? Hey get yourself a BABYFACE or Jim Croce with a dime inlaid. Ooooooh---------------------------------- |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 28 Feb 06 - 05:05 PM Prescription run out again? |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Wesley S Date: 28 Feb 06 - 05:48 PM Everyone should just play whatever the heck they want to. It's your money - spend it however you like. The guitar police rarely bust down doors any more and force people to play guitars they can't stand. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 28 Feb 06 - 05:49 PM Yeah, those were the bad old days. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST Date: 28 Feb 06 - 06:34 PM just saw recording of John Denver playing on the "Performance Channel" using a good looking and fine sounding Taylor.. and with his money there would have been no limits to his prefered choice of guitar |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Anonny Mouse Date: 28 Feb 06 - 06:41 PM Oh they all have their stable of stars--here's Taylor's NOT including studio musicians/artists (that would take another page): 311 Will Ackerman Bryan Adams Trace Adkins Aerosmith A.F.I. Air Supply Alabama Gregg Allman Ambrosia America Trey Anastasio Jann Arden Carolyn Arends Augustana Babyface Nenad Bach Bacon Brothers Barenaked Ladies Martin Barre Beach Boys Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) Beck David Beldock Adrian Belew John Berry Better Than Ezra Stephen Bishop Clint Black Mary Black Blackhawk Arthur Blanch blink-182 Blues Traveler Suzy Bogguss Karla Bonoff Edie Brickell Michelle Branch Garth Brooks Meredith Brooks Marc Broussard Jackson Browne Jimmy Buffett (Baby) Jeannie Burns (Burns Sisters) Kenny Burrell Jon Butcher Geezer Butler Ryan Cabrera Glen Campbell Jerry Cantrell Michael Card Brandi Carlile Mary Chapin Carpenter Paul Carrack Lionel Cartwright Cartwright Brothers John Cephas Gary Chapman Steven Curtis Chapman Cheap Trick Kenny Chesney Chicago Chip and Donnie (Enuff Z'nuff) Chronic Future Stanley Clarke (bass) Phil Cody Marc Cohn Lloyd Cole Collective Soul Judy Collins Shawn Colvin Billy Corgan The Corrs Course of Nature The Cranberries Dan Crary A.J. Croce David Crosby Christopher Cross Charlie Daniels Clay Davidson Gail Davies Billy Dean del Amitri Tom DeLonge (Blink 182) Iris DeMent Neil Diamond Chris Difford Dion Dixie Chicks Anne Dodson Dogwood Moon Mickey Dolenz Pat Donohue Ranger Doug (Baby) Roby Duke Holly Dunn Duran Duran Doyle Dykes Elliot Easton Duane Eddy (Baby) The Edge Dave Edmunds Don Edwards (Baby) Jonathan Edwards Everclear Ricky Fataar Ferron Tim Finn Tim Flannery Flea (bass) Fleetwood Mac Rosie Flores John Fogerty Foo Fighters Juan-Carlos Formell Peter Frampton Russ Freeman Friday's Child Richie Furay Beppe Gambetta Paul Gilbert Vince Gill David Gilmour Andrew Gold Golden Earring Goo Goo Dolls Graham Gouldman Amy Grant Pat Green Adie Grey Patty Griffin Grace Griffith Nanci Griffith Sammy Hagar Merle Haggard Hall & Oates Jim Hall Jimmy Eat World Johnny Hallyday Ali Handal Jack & Lon Hannah (Sons of the San Joaquin) Hanson Roy Harper Corey Harris David Ryan Harris Jerome Harris (bass) Ari Hest John Hiatt Faith Hill Lauryn Hill Chris Hillman Susanna Hoffs Hoobastank Hootie & The Blowfish Buck Howdy Billy Idol Tony Iommi Alan Jackson Mick Jagger Brett James Jars of Clay Jewel Buddy Jewell Carolyn Dawn Johnson Richard Leo Johnson Billy Jonas Rickie Lee Jones Laurence Juber Richard Julian Led Kaapana George Kahumoku Jr. Dennis Kamakahi Keith Kane (Vertical Horizon) Mary Karlzen Mike Keneally The Killers Steven King The Kinleys Pat Kirtley T.J. Klay (Western Flyer) Jennifer Knapp Mark Knopfler Peter Koppes (The Church) Ozzie Kotani Leo Kottke Lenny Kravitz Greg Lake La Ley k.d. lang Peter Lang Marit Larsen (M2M) Max Lasser Steve Laury Geddy Lee Julian Lennon Michael Lewis Lifehouse Alex Lifeson Lisa Loeb Kenny Loggins Patty Loveless Jeff Lynne Shelby Lynne Dougie MacLean Doug MacLeod Madonna Eric Mantel Maroon 5 Richard Marx Kathy Mattea Dave Matthews Zoe McCulloch Gerry McGee (Ventures) Tim McGraw Sarah McLachlan Zan McLeod Travis Meeks Tim Mensy Jim Messina Steve Miller Ronnie Montrose Moody Brothers Zak Morgan Alanis Morissette Franco Morone Jason Mraz Native Vibe Nelson Mike Ness Carrie Newcomer New St. George Nick Nguyen (Bonepony) Nils (Jiptner) Heather Nova Maura O'Connell Kristina Olsen Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears) O-Town Gregory Page Pearl Jam Jeff Pevar (CPR) Liz Phair Kelly Joe Phelps Mike Pinder (Moody Blues) Steve Poltz The Pretenders Tristan Prettyman Prince Chris Proctor Gary Puckett Queensryche Joel Rafael Bonnie Raitt Toshi Reagon Harvey Reid Vernon Reid R.E.M. Tim Reynolds Marc Roberge (O.A.R.) The Roches Jim Rooney Eugene Ruffolo Kate Rusby Richie Sambora Joe Satriani Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon) The Scorpions Darrell Scott Seal (Baby) Eve Selis Band Ron Sexsmith Maia Sharp Christopher Shaw Jules Shear Billy Sheehan Richard Shindell Michelle Shocked Carly Simon Mark Slaughter Michael W. Smith Stuart Smith Jill Sobule Something Corporate Sonic Youth Soraya J.D. Souther Tim Sparks Rick Springfield Billy Squier Dave Stamey James Lee Stanley Paul Stanley Michael Steele (The Bangles) Leni Stern (Baby) Steve Stevens Al Stewart John Stewart Stephen Stills Sting (bass) Doug Stone Story of the Year Larry Stewart Peter Stuart Styx Sum 41 Andy Summers Sweet Switchfoot James Taylor (Baby) Livingston Taylor Sally Taylor Jack Tempchin Tenacious D Terrell John Tesh Glenn Tilbrook Pam Tillis Michael Tomlinson Tonic Trapt Artie Traum Happy Traum Travis Travis Tritt Mark Tremonti Trixter Joe Lynn Turner Shania Twain Uncle Harry Steve Vai Suzanne Vega Julieta Venegas Wendy Waldman Billy Joe Walker, Jr. Clay Walker Joe Walsh Wayne Watson Paul Westerberg Roger Whittaker David Wilcox Jett Williams Lucinda Williams Robbie Williams Robin and Linda Williams Robin Williamson Nancy Wilson Victor Wooten (bass) Peter Yarrow Yellowcard Jesse Colin Young Neil Young "Civilians" Bobby Bonilla, former baseball pro Russell Branyan, Cincinnati Reds Jeff Bridges, actor (bass) Dana Carvey, actor/comedian David Charvet, actor Bill Clinton Kerry Collins, NFL Ronny Cox, actor Carson Daly, MTV Shannen Doherty, actress Minnie Driver, actress Bobbie Eakes, actress Mick Garris, TV/film writer-producer-director Tony Geary, actor Greg Giraldo, actor Shawn Green, L.A. Dodgers Michael Gogin, actor Oscar Hijuelos, author (Mambo Kings) John Hurt, actor Eric Idle, actor (Monty Python) Don Johnson, actor John Kerry, U.S. Senator Stephen King, author Christian Riese Lassen, artist Scott Linebrink, San Diego Padres Taryn Manning, actress Cheech Marin, actor Rob Morrow, actor Conan O'Brien, NBC Terry O'Quinn, actor (Lost) Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres Mike Piazza, N.Y. Mets Brad Pitt, actor Jeremy Piven, actor Tim Robbins, actor Rene Russo, actress Marla Sokoloff, actress Huston Street, Oakland A's Scott Tinley, triathlete Bill Todman, Jr., TV/film producer Robby Unser, race car driver Tim Wakefield, Boston Red Sox Robert James Waller, author (The Bridges of Madison County) Robb Webb, actor (the "voice" of 60 Minutes) Serena Williams, tennis pro Rusty Wilcoxen, producer/director (Grand Ole Opry Live) Steve Young, former San Francisco 49er Barry Zito, Oakland A |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Peace Date: 28 Feb 06 - 06:48 PM Fact is that a good guitar is a good guitar. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: number 6 Date: 28 Feb 06 - 09:27 PM Like having a good dog. sIx |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Peace Date: 28 Feb 06 - 10:51 PM True. They can both be a bit high strung. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Cluin Date: 28 Feb 06 - 11:35 PM Yeah, and... they like to go for walks annnnnnnd... Ah, I got nothin' here. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,ianlp59 Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:45 AM I've got two Collings (0002H and 002H) and two Martins (D18 and 00028). Frankly the Collings are in a totally different league altogether to the Martins. The Collings are better built, are built with superior materials and sound way better that the Martins. That said, Collings guitars cost more, so you get at least what you pay for. Martin guitars are mass produced and rely on the name to sell them. Better Martins exist of course but they are either custom orders or so-called 'signature' models, endorsed by a particular artist, built in 'limited' numbers and sole at a huge price premium. Actually, there are a load of guitars out there which are just fabulous both from smaller makers and specialist individual luthiers. When I can afford it, I'll get Stephan Sobell to make me one of his Martin Simpson signature series guitars. (Best start doing the lottery). Anyway , great thread and glad to see how it stirs things up ! |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Wesley S Date: 01 Mar 06 - 09:10 AM Ian - Can I assume you've visited the Collings Forum ? That's a sweet combination of guitars. I had a 000H also but I decided the neck was a little wide for my fingers and used it as a tradein for my OM2HG { German spruce top }. That and my 1967 D-18 take care of just about any guitar needs I have. Since getting the OM2HG my Martin OM28V has been sitting in it's case. I need to sell it to finance my next mandolin. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,Midchuck - Have They Kicked Me Out AGAIN? Date: 01 Mar 06 - 10:45 AM I've got two Collings (0002H and 002H) and two Martins (D18 and 00028). Frankly the Collings are in a totally different league altogether to the Martins. The Collings are better built, are built with superior materials and sound way better that the Martins. That said, Collings guitars cost more, so you get at least what you pay for. I also have a 0002H and, at the moment, three Martins, all lower-level. I concur with the above. I also have a Froggy Bottom H-12 (very close to the 000-2H in design). That guitar is to the Collings as Collings is to Martin. Much too good for me, but I ain't letting go of it. The Martins still get played a lot. In many situations, an instrument that doesn't represent too much of an investment, but still plays and sounds OK, is to be preferred over a high-end one. A gig in a noisy environment; a loud jam; leaving an instrument out on a stand in case you have a free five minutes, instead of shut up in the case... Peter. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST Date: 15 Mar 06 - 11:07 AM Santa Cruz and Huss and Dalton is where it's at - these are guitars! Yes, you can get a good Martin if you buy a signature one, as they actually pay attention to what they are doing with those. Martin and Taylor guitars are for wannabe bitches, or for people who just collect them. Guitars should be played - they are not for brand name masturbation. Titty Squeeze |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Maryrrf Date: 15 Mar 06 - 11:49 AM I have a Martin. No it's not a signature one nor is it top of the line. I liked it, it was what I could afford, and I bought it. So that makes me a "wannabe bitch" or somebody that just collects guitars or worse? I don't collect guitars, either, by the way. I only have the one Martin and an Ovation which I bought used. Being fiberglass the Ovation is indestructable and I take it along when I will be playing at outdoor festivals where the instrument will be out in the weather for a long time in uncontrolled conditions. I just don't see why threads like this have to get so nasty. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Big Al Whittle Date: 15 Mar 06 - 12:14 PM they put a nasty drug in the guitar case with every Martin. some people withstand exposure to one Martin and remain pleasant well balanced individuals....... however two Martins and its like Doctor Jekyll after he's drunk the liquid, they go around saying, that's not real folk music! not like me! I play a Martin! I'm alright and everyone else is crazy! |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,Greycap Date: 17 Mar 06 - 07:54 AM Got three of 'em, love 'em. Also played Taylors that I loved. A good guitar is a good guitar and they come with all kinds of manufacturer's names and labels. p.s. A surfeit of Martins is an oxymoron. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Bert Date: 19 May 10 - 06:03 AM A surfeit of Martins keep the mosquitoes down. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Don Firth Date: 19 May 10 - 02:47 PM A surfeit of Martins. Is that something like a herd of caribou, a skein of geese, a crash of rhinos, a murder of crows, etc? Don Firth |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego Date: 19 May 10 - 04:22 PM I was privileged to once own a Martin D-28, circa 1967. It had the great, booming sound you expect from a Martin Dreadnaught. I loved it dearly, but my wife and new baby twice as much. Hard times forced me to sell it. Times are far better, and have been for many years. My current love, however, is a Taylor. It gives me much the same sound quality but I find the fingerboard/neck easier to navigate, and with less pressure. It IS a subjective thing - my age and all, but works for me. Truth to tell, I spend more time with my Takamine classic these days and my son spends more time with the Taylor than I do. I wish I had the budget to experiment with Larrivee, Seagull, Guild, etc., etc., ad nauseum. My next purchase, though, may well be a Loriente classic. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Little Hawk Date: 19 May 10 - 10:17 PM I have 2 favorite guitars out of all those I have played over the years. One is a Martin HD-28. The other is a Taylor Grand Concert with koa back and sides. They sound quite different from one another and they're both marvelous. I would happily buy another Martin or another Taylor anytime. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: olddude Date: 19 May 10 - 11:45 PM i like james taylor, and he plays a martin i will leave now sorry |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: mattkeen Date: 20 May 10 - 05:03 AM Martin have made some lovely guitars obviously Some of the top end stuff can still be good But they are trading on their old heritage to a large extent IMO Both Martin and Taylor are mass produced instruments and there are 100's of better undependent luthiers now So if I was looking to buy a high quality model (read over £1500) I wouldn't buy a mass produced guitar |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Midchuck Date: 20 May 10 - 09:31 AM As a result of a recent sale, I own no Martins or Taylors. There's one Martin on the premises, but it's my wife's, and it's under a curse. Peter |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Backwoodsman Date: 20 May 10 - 09:46 AM "i like james taylor, and he plays a martin" Hope you were joking, Dude! (You knew he plays Olsons all along didn't you?) :-) |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: alanabit Date: 20 May 10 - 09:55 AM I bought a mid range Martin C-18GTE last year. It has built in pre-amp, pick up, mike and tuner. I was very lucky to be able to afford a Martin of any level, because the US Dollar was spectacularly low last year (the only good thing that happened in the Bush era, I reckon). The unamplified sound is good, but no rival for my Fylde. Above all, it is an excellent on stage tool. If I coveted another guitar for its acoustic sound, I would go to a small instrument maker, who was just starting up, and get one of those superb instruments which many of them produce while they are still making their name. In short, I think Martins are excellent instruments and worth the money, but there are other instruments, which I could desire more. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Little Hawk Date: 20 May 10 - 11:51 AM It's certainly true that there are any number of wonderful instruments out there which are being handmade by individual luthiers, and that many of them are superior to most of the high end mass-produced guitars made by companies like Taylor or Martin. I guess, though, it comes down to whatever you like best...and that's a very subjective business. I've always gone on 3 things: 1. sound 2. playability ("feel") 3. appearance Oh, any maybe one more thing: 4. accessories... That is, it counts quite a bit for me if a guitar also comes with a really good case, a really good onboard electronic pickup, a strap pin already installed, a battery that is easy to get at when you change it, warranty and info papers...all that sort of thing. When it comes to the accessories, I think Taylor comes out considerably ahead of most other mass-produced acoustics. Some other mass-produced guitars I have a very high opinion of are Collings, Santa Cruz, and Larrivee, but I've never owned any of them. I have owned several Martins, a Guild, a couple of Yamahas, a couple of Takamines, 2 Taylors, and 2 handmade guitars by luthiers, as well as a few other less expensive guitars under other brand names. They've all come and gone as the years went by except for the ones I have now: 1 Martin, 2 Taylors, and a Yamaha. I'm selling the Yamaha and one of the Taylors now, because I really don't feel I need more than 2 guitars. I've played some wonderful handmade guitars that friends owned. Bob Ardearn, for example, has a Beneteau, and it's great. It's made by a luthier in Ontario, Canada. I've owned 2 handmade guitars, and they were both quite good, but not as good as the Martin HD-28 and the Taylor Grand Concert I have now. When you get into the really high end of acoustic guitars, they're all great, but they all have subtle differences in sound and in othe respects. You just have to find one that "speaks" to you, that's all. It has to be love at first touch. ;-) |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: PoppaGator Date: 20 May 10 - 02:24 PM I was very pleased a couple of years ago, when my 1969 D-18 was appraised at about $2500. (It cost $300 back when it was new.) I was much less pleased to learn, not long afterwards, that a brand-new D-18 is priced at ~ you guessed it ~ about $2500. I had assumed that being "vintage" would add to an instrument's value. Not true, apparently. For those shopping for guitars, this means that you should be able to find high-quality, well-played-in used instruments at about the same price as newly manufactured guitars of the same (or similar) model. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Brian May Date: 24 Oct 10 - 03:02 PM My oldest Martin is a 2006 model - it sounds beautiful. My luthier looks after Martin Simpson's guitars, his opinion is the finest ones are those being made now. The thought that my three will only improve is bliss - the fact that they will all outlast me feels strange. All I know is that those who come to them next are in for a real treat, I just hope that they love them like I do. How I can love bits of wood, I don't know . . . suffice to say 'I do'. For those with a Martin, hail fellow. For those without, it took me 40 years, but they were worth waiting for? A surfeit ? Nope, I don't reckon, just greater disposable income and fulfilment of a dream. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work) Date: 25 Oct 10 - 04:32 AM Is that last posting 'the real' Brian May ? |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: mattkeen Date: 25 Oct 10 - 05:08 AM No - the real brian may is not deaf |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Brian May Date: 25 Oct 10 - 07:50 AM Well, I am now 60 and have had this name all my life. I don't play guitar on high buildings because I get vertigo, I don't have a doctorate in Astro Physics and I definitely don't know Anita Dobson. I don't play electric in any guise. That said, I AM actually high tone deaf from aircraft engines. So, am I real? My wife thinks so ;o) Is the Martin brand 'mass-produced' - yep, not surprising when you've been going 177 years. So are Mercedes and BMW amongst other cars, but generally, you still get what you pay for - high quality. I am NOT saying Martins are right for everyone, but they sure as hell are for me! |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: GUEST,bigrickpa(registered,no cookies,please) Date: 25 Oct 10 - 08:30 AM it is the old ford vs. chevy,mercedes vs. bmw,etc. 'discussion". i just got my 2nd martin, an hd-28, and i love it! classic martin sound,good intonation(in spite of what some want to believe) the guitar i always wanted. taylors are a fine guitar, never played a bad one. tried new gibsons, all were, ahem,cough,cough, overpriced. collings, huss&dalton? for those prices, i'd better be able to drive or live in them. i don't play out too much anymore, haven't since we married and had kids. some things are more important. so i had to wait for a good guitar. through watching and waiting and saving, i was able to get this one for price i could afford. as far as the op, i understand his point but have to disagree. more good guitars should help the sound at sessions. isn't that a good thing? bigrickpa |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Little Hawk Date: 25 Oct 10 - 10:07 AM My favorite guitar ever is my Martin HD-28. But I've also played some wonderful Taylors, Collings, Larivees, Santa Cruz, G.W. Barry, etc.... What the heck, brand doesn't matter! Just find the specific guitar you like the best and play it. It could be any brand. |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Oct 10 - 10:45 AM Well, according to our read of the tour of Martin Guitars on PCN, it sure looks like quality is still very much a large part of the material of which they are made.... ~Susan |
Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins? From: Charmion Date: 25 Oct 10 - 11:30 AM I love my Martin. It sounds great, it handles well, and it came with a fine case lined with green plush that the cat enjoys as much as I enjoy the guitar. |
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