Now I'm Confused (Page 1 of 2)

Joe, I have a 1999 Martin D-35, 2010 Martin D-41 ,Taylor 2007 314,Taylor 2005 T5 and I love them all. I've played the newer Martin DCPA models and lower models . I don't like them either. I think with Martin you need the D-28 model or higher to get the best of the Martin sounds and feel that you are looking for. One exception is the Mahogony models like the D15 or D-18. Just my opinion as a Martin owner. I Love the Taylors in most every model. I got the 314 for a different sound and Like it very much. Strings and usage can change tone, as well as woods used. My D-35 gets a lot of use and I've noticed some very nice tone changes over the years. So I don't want to add to your confusion but try some of the Martins in the groups I mentioned they may change your opinion.
  Joe

It has been my experience with gc (at least our local one) that they are pretty much the wal Mart of guitars. Acoustics anyway. They have a lot to choose from, but never sound how you expect them to, and don't seem to be set up properly either. Both Amy's Martin and my Taylor were purchased at the same mom and pop guitar store. All the acoustics in their high end room are set up and ready to play. And the prices were better than gc too.

I have a martin custom X series  - matte finish  acoustic electric.   It has a very unique sound - I love it.  But I will admit, I love my Alvarez RD-20 SC    much better .    I said in another post somewhere... I really believe the guitar picks the player, not viceversa - you just know when you've got the right one. ( Probably the reason we all keep buying them !

What BlueJeep said ... in triplicate!!!

A brand name is just that ... a brand name. Within each brand, the manufacturer tries to make models at all affordability levels, to appeal to the broadest market possible, i.e., to sell more product. This is true of guitars, fishing rods, sneakers, you name it. An all solid wood acoustic guitar (spruce top, mahogany or rosewood body) will generally sound better than a less expensive laminate, regardless of the manufacturer. My Larrivee cost a lot less than the "big brand" models I tried, but my eyes, ears, and hands told me it was well made, sounded great, and played well.

My favorite example of brand-name disappointment happened a couple years ago, when I got to play my dream guitar, a Gibson L-5. It cost over $10,000 and sounded like crap! Thin, shrill, no sustain, no character, unbalanced in the hand, etc. The trees don't know which brand name will be stamped on them, and as long as the luthier puts the materials together right, it'll sound right. And the guitarist playing it is the final judge. Buying a guitar so that someone will say, "Ooooo ... you've got a Gibson!" or "Ooooo ... you've got a Martin!" isn't the right reason to buy a guitar. Like what you play, and you'll always play what you like.

There were 3 different choices in the DCPA model. All had a solid Sitka Spruce top. The back and sides were either Sapele, Mahogany, or Rosewood. The prices were different for each one. Not surprisingly, the sapele was the cheapest at $1349. It was also the one with the least appealing tone.

I noticed that with the second Taylor I picked up; the 314. It had the slightest suggestion of that "ring" and I don't care for it either. In the 814 it was overwhelming.

I noticed that as well. I had to tune every one I picked up.

For a brief moment, I considered taking the 214 home for just that reason. It sang to me and the song was "Take me Home".  But a more rational head prevailed. It was an exploratory trip. I didn't go in to buy and stuck to it.

So thanks everyone, for all the input. This was just the first step and I'll be trying out others for the next couple months. I'm planning to take the plunge in July. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.

Hey everyone - Guy Clark sums it up pretty good in this song called " The Guitar "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHxOego2Sso

OK folks. A question for you Martin owners out there.

I just came across a 000C-16GTE on craigslist. Actually it was posted a week ago and I just revisited it. They were made between '99 and '03. Does anyone have one or have you played one? It's a 2 hour trip to go see it and after my disappointing adventure over the weekend I thought I'd get a couple opinions. I'm considering the possibility that being an older model, it's already had a decent set up. He's asking $900.

Never tried one that I can recall.  I guess the question is, after the long drive, , will you feel better KNOWING or will you feel worse, if its not "the one"?

Sounds like "Masonite"....... the stuff of "clipboards, and pegboard without the holes".  Also a nightmare to re-fret as it just might be prone to chipping like the former products when run through a tablesaw.

UncleJoe - how's the shopping coming along?  Anything new and exciting? 

I'll be honest, part of the Martin appeal was had after touring their factory.  After I saw the amount of hand work that went into building these guitars, that was it for me.  I didn't want one that was made by a machine, I wanted one that some little old lady who was smiling and laughing with her friends put her hands on.  One that some tattooed up dude made sure was perfectly in tune.  One that a middle aged man hand placed the pearling.  I guess I just kind of fell in love with the factory, with the fact that they employ average Americans and allow people in to see how it runs.   

Keep looking for the right one.  It might not be a Martin.  As long as it's right for you and you're happy with it, that's all that matters!

Nothing new yet. I've been pretty busy working. It's that time of year.

I did see a Taylor 214ce (the one I really liked) on CL for $750 but it was south of Pittsburgh. 4 hours is a bit to far to test drive a guitar.

I really need to make that trip to Nazareth.

Thanks for the review DE.

This how the seller describes the sound.

I'll need to here just how "controlled" they are. I'm seriously considering contacting him tomorrow and making the trip on Saturday.

The DSR doesn't have a cutaway. That's a deal breaker for me. Even though I can't play scales that well yet, I'm getting there and I'll want those extra frets eventually.