GrumpySquatch
Well-Known Member
Don't see one here, so I'll start one.
I'll post up images - let's see yours! Tell us about them if you'd like.
I'll post up images - let's see yours! Tell us about them if you'd like.
The Martin thread
- Thread starter GrumpySquatch
- Start date
Alright…I’m prepared to be outclassed here. Bear in mind, electrics outnumber acoustics here by about 7 to 1…
My Mexi-Martin Ellipse…plays like butter. That’s why I bought it. I tried it when I saw it because of a longtime forum acquaintance… @Col Mustard …he has one with some sweet striped ebony bits.
My Mexi-Martin Ellipse…plays like butter. That’s why I bought it. I tried it when I saw it because of a longtime forum acquaintance… @Col Mustard …he has one with some sweet striped ebony bits.
OP
GrumpySquatch
Well-Known Member
Been to the built in 1964 Martin Factory four times, including the original 1859 factory at another location in Nazareth. https://reverb.com/shop/guitar-makers-connection
Photo album links for the first three.
www.flickr.com
Photo album links for the first three.
July 2015 Martin Behind the Scenes Tour
Explore this photo album by yu606060 on Flickr!
www.flickr.com
Must be too warm. Guy has a bit of a sheen on his forehead.
Amp Mad Scientist
Ambassador of Heresy
I had a Martin it was built from compressed paper.
The top was pulling up and separating from the bracing.
Somebody gave it to me for free and I sold it for $50 on Craigs List.
If I was going to get another Martin, I would probably be sure it was made from actual wood instead of compressed paper.
Martins do sound good (except for the paper ones), I think the action is a bit rough for my delicate fingertips.
I do prefer anything traditional and made in USA; that's why I would buy one made in USA.
I try to buy everything from USA manufacturers when possible.
Please support USA products, USA workers, buy USA amplifiers too.
The top was pulling up and separating from the bracing.
Somebody gave it to me for free and I sold it for $50 on Craigs List.
If I was going to get another Martin, I would probably be sure it was made from actual wood instead of compressed paper.
Martins do sound good (except for the paper ones), I think the action is a bit rough for my delicate fingertips.
I do prefer anything traditional and made in USA; that's why I would buy one made in USA.
I try to buy everything from USA manufacturers when possible.
Please support USA products, USA workers, buy USA amplifiers too.
Nice group ya got there. I’d love me a D28….. or if I had unlimited funds, a D45. But I’d want one with some mileage and history on it. And near as I’ve seen, they can go for well into 5 figures. And that’s way more than I have in all my guitars, amps and gear.Well, I don’t have a Martin family pic.So here’s the individual ones.
My first, a Martin backpacker.
View attachment 99887
Then bought my wife a Uke !
View attachment 99888
My D28
View attachment 99889
And my D35E
View attachment 99890
OP
GrumpySquatch
Well-Known Member
I've admired Martin since I was a kid. All those singer songwriters in the 70s, Don McClean on the back of the American Pie LP which I loved before I got into Hard Rock. Hee-Haw, The Midnight Special / Don Kirchner, etc.
The little music shop I frequented after I started playing in 1975 featured Martins. One in particular caught me eye, the newly introduced HD-28. That herringbone inlay was exquisite. Never forgot that guitar, eventually becoming a bucket list item.
I crossed that item off in 2015. I was making decent money then and got the itch to buy a new one. I ended up modifying it to my liking, learning how to set acoustics up. Gold tuners look so good on an acoustic - I added Schaller M6 vintage which are Grover look-a-likes.
Added solid bone bridge pins after I bravely added slots to the bridge. Makes for better bridge plate contact. Put a shine on the neck and headstock too.
The little music shop I frequented after I started playing in 1975 featured Martins. One in particular caught me eye, the newly introduced HD-28. That herringbone inlay was exquisite. Never forgot that guitar, eventually becoming a bucket list item.
I crossed that item off in 2015. I was making decent money then and got the itch to buy a new one. I ended up modifying it to my liking, learning how to set acoustics up. Gold tuners look so good on an acoustic - I added Schaller M6 vintage which are Grover look-a-likes.
Added solid bone bridge pins after I bravely added slots to the bridge. Makes for better bridge plate contact. Put a shine on the neck and headstock too.
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OP
GrumpySquatch
Well-Known Member
I made the mistake of playing a 12 string while at the Martin factory in 2015. Planted a seed that sprouted a little over a year later. Bought a new D12-28. I know Martin is not known for their 12 strings, but this one is stellar in every way. Has a grain pattern on the back that is stunningly beautiful. The way is goes dark, light, dark then the center purfling. I've never seen anything quite like it.
Have played the D12-28 far more than I thought I would initially. Every guitar player should have a 12 string acoustic. They are magical. So rewarding, you feel it as much as hear it.
Had the hankering to modify that one too. Gave it the neck and tuner treatment. Did not like the boring black pickguard, so I removed it and added a pretty wild one, a three color Tor-Tis. Much better. Added bone bridge pins, but have not had the nerve to slot the bridge holes as with the HD.
The day I opened it up:
Post modifications:
The pickguard looks like poured hard candy:
Have played the D12-28 far more than I thought I would initially. Every guitar player should have a 12 string acoustic. They are magical. So rewarding, you feel it as much as hear it.
Had the hankering to modify that one too. Gave it the neck and tuner treatment. Did not like the boring black pickguard, so I removed it and added a pretty wild one, a three color Tor-Tis. Much better. Added bone bridge pins, but have not had the nerve to slot the bridge holes as with the HD.
The day I opened it up:
Post modifications:
The pickguard looks like poured hard candy:
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Love 12 strings. I have a Yamaha. It has issues so doesn’t get played anymore, but sure enjoyed it for several years.I made the mistake of playing a 12 string while at the Martin factory in 2015. Planted a seed that sprouted a little over a year later. Bought a new D12-28. I know Martin is not known for their 12 strings, but this one is stellar in every way. Has a grain pattern on the back that is stunningly beautiful. The way is goes dark, light, dark then the center purfling. I've never seen anything quite like it.
Have played the D12-28 far more than I thought I would initially. Every guitar player should have a 12 string acoustic. They are magical. So rewarding, you feel it as much as hear it.
Had the hankering to modify that one too. Gave it the neck and tuner treatment. Did not like the boring black pickguard, so I removed it and added a pretty wild one, a three color Tor-Tis. Much better. Added bone bridge pins, but have not had the nerve to slot the bridge holes as with the HD.
The day I opened it up:
Post modifications:
The pickguard looks like poured hard candy:
OP
GrumpySquatch
Well-Known Member
Unfortunate. Maybe it is time to add one again?
I’m pretty well set. Had no plans of any more guitars when I spotted the blue Strat I bought from Sweetwater.
Now….. if one of you new guys really felt bad for me and bought me one, I’d be much appreciated.
OP
GrumpySquatch
Well-Known Member
The action is typically on the high side from the factory as if they will all get used for Bluegrass rhythm playing. Took a fair bit of tweaking and three saddles to get it where I liked on the HD. The D12 was a gem from day one - took very little tweaking. Go figure.
I'm all about buy USA. Why I had to have a Nazareth Martin and not a mim. My two electric assemblies were big on USA made parts. Callaham in particular are a bit too pricey, but sucked it up as made in the US is important to me.
My first Nazareth Martin was a D-16GT I bought in 2003. Enjoyed that for many years, but sold it to help finance the last assembly I did. With two 28s the 16 was not getting played as much. Sold it at a guitar show, the vendor told me he was buying it for himself. Better it went to someone that would play and appreciate it more.
I am a total
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Amp Mad Scientist
Ambassador of Heresy
You guys are making me soooooooo jelly.
Just let me know if you care enough to donate any of these Martins to science.
Just let me know if you care enough to donate any of these Martins to science.
Those gold tuners sure look nice!I've admired Martin since I was a kid. All those singer songwriters in the 70s, Don McClean on the back of American Pie LP which I loved before I got into Hard Rock. Hee-Haw, The Midnight Special / Don Kirchner, etc.
The little music shop I frequented after I started playing in 1975 featured Martins. One in particular caught me eye, the newly introduced HD-28. That herringbone inlay was exquisite. Never forgot that guitar, eventually becoming a bucket list item.
I crossed that item off in 2015. I was making decent money then and got the itch to buy a new one. I ended up modifying it to my liking, learning how to set acoustics up. Gold tuners look so good on an acoustic - I added Schaller M6 vintage which are Grover look-a-likes.
Added solid bone bridge pins after I bravely added slots to the bridge. Makes for better bridge plate contact. Put a shine on the neck and headstock too.
SG John
Ambassador of Cool Guitars and Amps.
I've got a '95 D-16T that I bought about four years ago. This is my first "real" or nice acoustic. I've always had beaters that would turn me off of acoustic guitars. One day at my favorite used guitar store (Retro Music in Keene, NH), I asked if there was a guitar that just flew under everyone's radar that is a killer guitar. Doogle handed me a used '95 Martin D-16T, and said this guitar was a bargain, especially since it has had zero interest in a few months.
I played it, and it was amazing. I've never played an acoustic that was actually really smooth and so much fun to play. Because I was a long time customer and they know I always visit with cash, a nice price was decided on and I was the owner of a Martin acoustic. After doing some research on this particular model, the only complaints were that Martin discontinued it because it cut into D-28 sales. This purchase sent me into getting a second nice acoustic, and as an earlier post had mentioned, I am on the hunt for the "right" 12 string acoustic. I love my Rickenbacker 330/12, and would love to have a nice acoustic 12 string.
I played it, and it was amazing. I've never played an acoustic that was actually really smooth and so much fun to play. Because I was a long time customer and they know I always visit with cash, a nice price was decided on and I was the owner of a Martin acoustic. After doing some research on this particular model, the only complaints were that Martin discontinued it because it cut into D-28 sales. This purchase sent me into getting a second nice acoustic, and as an earlier post had mentioned, I am on the hunt for the "right" 12 string acoustic. I love my Rickenbacker 330/12, and would love to have a nice acoustic 12 string.
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