The Martin thread

SG John said:
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 mention, I am on the hunt for the "right" 12 string acoustic. I love my Rickenbacker 330/6, and would love to have a nice acoustic 12 string.

View attachment 99915
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Wow! I've never seen that model. That has the classic 28 style inlay (envious!) along with a backstrap on the back.

That exposed tube amp looks strangely familiar to one I built:

48762178896_2604237257_b.jpg
 
StratoMutt said:
Wow! I've never seen that model. That has the classic 28 style inlay (envious!) along with a backstrap on the back.

That exposed tube amp looks strangely familiar to one I built:

48762178896_2604237257_b.jpg
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That's a DST Engineering U84-TNT. Don't know much about the nomenclature, but it's an EL-84 powered amp that's switchable between two and eight watts. Quite the fun practice amp. That photo was taken when I was having a cabinet built by Jeff Swanson (part of DST), and the headbox being recovered in matching tolex.

Here's a photo of what it looks like now.

U84 and SG Special_rezised.jpg
 
SG John said:
That's a DST Engineering U84-TNT. Don't know much about the nomenclature, but it's an EL-84 powered amp that's switchable between two and eight watts. Quite the fun practice amp. That photo was taken when I was having a cabinet built by Jeff Swanson (part of DST), and the headbox being recovered in matching tolex.
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I liked it nekid. The cab is quite lovely. 2 and 8? Not so different?

I know if you move it about a lot a cab is a necessity. Mine goes nowhere.
 
DirtySteve said:
The only Martin I've ever played was back in the early 80s and it was an old D-45. I had no idea what I was playing, or trying to. I've looked at prices recently and wow!
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For many years, the 45 series was the flagship model. They were never cheap. They are gorgeous, but a tad shouty.

The 28 series were always the best looking in my eye. Herringbone of course.
 
StratoMutt said:
For many years, the 45 series was the flagship model. They were never cheap. They are gorgeous, but a tad shouty.

The 28 series were always the best looking in my eye. Herringbone of course.
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I would buy a used D-28 if the price was right, but I won't pay full price for one.

I've never spent more than $300 for an acoustic so just about anything would be an upgrade. lol! I would love to own a Martin, but I don't know if I ever will.
 
Seems I bought at just the right time. Martin pricing was much different then. The common street discount was ~20% when Martin listed their inflated MSRP on their site (they no longer do this). The price listed is the same everywhere now.

I'd read some dealers will go to 40%. The first vendors I contacted would not budge much post the 20%. On the fourth or fifth cold call the dealer said yes to the 40%, asking I pay $50 for shipping (normally free). Yes please! Bought sight unseen. Got a similar deal just over a year later.

Both 28s with mods I did factored in were around $2500. Timing can be everything.
 
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DirtySteve said:
I would buy a used D-28 if the price was right, but I won't pay full price for one.

I've never spent more than $300 for an acoustic so just about anything would be an upgrade. lol! I would love to own a Martin, but I don't know if I ever will.
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Like I said, I was making decent money then and could responsibly afford to pay at once. Now? It would be grossly irresponsible.

Oh, the first was a bucket list item. The second was GAS.
 
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StratoMutt said:
Like I said, I was making decent money then and could responsibly afford to pay at once. Now? It would be grossly irresponsible.

Oh, the first was a bucket list item. The second was GAS.
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I'm seriously thinking about selling my LP standard, the one in my avatar. I'd like to say a good acoustic is in my future, but there's a better chance it'll be another LP. :facepalm: :rolf2:
 
DirtySteve said:
I'm seriously thinking about selling my LP standard, the one in my avatar. I'd like to say a good acoustic is in my future, but there's a better chance it'll be another LP. :facepalm: :rolf2:
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What kind of turnover $ you reckon? Could probably get you a nice Martin. It's defective anyway - no pickguard. tongue.gif

Lesters are so perfect. Just one has kept me happy since 1976.
 
StratoMutt said:
What kind of turnover $ you reckon? Could probably get you a nice Martin. It's defective anyway - no pickguard. View attachment 99929

Lesters are so perfect. Just one has kept me happy since 1976.
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I don't know, it's got a couple of dings and it's been refretted. I have the pickguard and all the original hardware to put back on it. I got a good deal on it used so I can probably get back what I paid for it if not more. As for pickguards on an LP... it's an old man thing to me, like mud flaps and side steps on a pickup truck! :rolf2: I have 2 other LPs (tributes) and a Melody Maker with P90s. I don't really need the standard and the thin 60s neck profile is the main reason I don't totally gel with it. It's too nice for me anyway, I'm more of a stripped down beater kind of guy.
 
I have owned two Martin guitars in my long and checkered life...
Both gave great service for years, and were played on large stages and small.
I still have my XC1T... but I cain't jump this high any more.
Big Air 06-08-13_5x@100.jpg
In spite of disparaging remarks made by ignorant persons or likewise by
guitar snobs who think that the only good Martin is one that cost more than $3000
this humble entry level instrument is actually a great guitar.

Mine has excellent tone, and the Fishman Elipse Blend pickup system makes it
easy to mix. This guitar has not been pampered, and so it has fallen on concrete and
been damaged and repaired. Because of this, I can't sell it... it's worth much more for
the music it makes. Any buyer would likely turn their nose up because of the visible
repairs (which were expertly done by Ann Arbor Guitars).

But the tone and the feel of this instrument are priceless. The laminated neck made of
"Stratabond" is great to play, renders remarkable tone and is VERY stable tuning wise.
The back and sides made of "High Pressure Laminate" make no difference to tone,
but a buyer might balk. So it's not for sale. It's a player.
me & #9@100.jpg
 
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