• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Topic: MARTINS, TAYLORS, COLLINGS, GIBSONS

Martin is producing acoustics, like Fender produces electrics.
The biggest problem is, the difference between some of their guitars.
What is the difference between a D-40 & a D-41? I am aware that Martin uses different bracing patterns, but is this that important for the sound?
There are a lot of Martins today, starting with a backpacker, and I still don't know where to place this "guitar?". The sound is not a guitar sound, so I should go for the Martin or Baby Taylor. The backpacker sound is really special, and can be used to have a "special sound", playing it.
You have a Martin DX-1, and a D-1 again what is different here? Isn't the DX-1 made of a solid
Solid Sitka Spruce and the back and sides laminate? The D-1 100% real wood? I have a D-1 also the only guitar equipped with an electric-acoustic pick-up, and playing louder than loud, not using your amp?I also don't see the same bracing inside. It starts getting more complex, in the higher priced section. D-15 MAHAGONY and dark brown, providing a soft sweet sound. When I had only the HD-28 and the D-15, I called the 28 HE and the D-15 SHE. The D-15 is followed by a D-16, a D-18
and here WHAT IS DIFFERENT, except for the price, the wood, the bracing? A Martin DM (what is here the difference? and up to a D or HD-28, this guitar, having quit a few Martins is probably one of the best guitars in the world. You continue and the next is a D-35, a Martin D-41, or D-42
What I was doing is in fact trying to compare, until now ONLY MARTINS, like the difference between a MARTIN D-35 and a D-42. A D-42 will cost you twice as much as a D-35. About MARTIN, one of the best sites to compare is www.musiciansfriend.com and this site gives you the opportunity to compare. Except for the price, the "material" used in a D-35 and D-42 is the same. They have both a solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides BUT a D-35 has a 3-piece rosewood back and Rosewood sides.
THE SAME PROBLEMS TO CHOOSE A GUITAR, OR TO COMPARE IS GIBSON. You can learn a lot by compare the guitars, but the sound??? I tried some months ago a D-42, versus a D-45, JESUS, it is so hard to make a conclusion. Worse, if you search TAYLOR, you get 229 results. From my lazy seat, it is important to start comparing a bunch of guitars, and if money is no problem, it will be a problem going to a store and compare to search and find the guitar of your dreams.
It is a long and VERY DIFFICULT (SUBJECTIVE) TOPIC, so I am very interested in the way you "chordians" solve this problem. There are some guitar geniuses here, and I do hope they can help me and others, by telling how or what is the best way to choose their best of. I know that the best way is going to the store and start playing guitars as much as possible, but how long will that take? This is the main reason of writing this topic, A GOOD ADVISE BEFORE BUYING.
I hope to get some answers, I should be very pleased, to have more info. The market has grown so big, that it's almost impossible to buy a guitar, NOT TALKING ABOUT LOWER BUDGET, like GIBSON SJ-200 versus EPIPHONE AJ-200, but more a GIBSON SJ-185 versus a SJ-200

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • wlbaye
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: MARTINS, TAYLORS, COLLINGS, GIBSONS

On my way to Bozeman Montana to buy a Gibson J-45, I stopped in Billings Montana,at Hansen's
Music.I had the opportunity to play Gibson's ,Taylor,Yairi,Takamine,Martin's and many others
I spent most of the day there and kept coming back to the HD-28 Martin and bought it.It isn't easy to find a guitar store with so many choices and great unbiased sales people.I still love the choice I made and feel blessed to have had the opportunity to play so many.I don't think I bought the best guitar they had  but it was the exact sound I was looking for.I agree that Musicians Friend is a great place to research and get prices and reviews. Later, Wayne

Later, Wayne P

wlbaye's Website

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: MARTINS, TAYLORS, COLLINGS, GIBSONS

Hello, wlbaye, first time we'll meet. It was a VERY, VERY difficult topic, because I am
- talking about the expensive guitars
- as you confirm, it is really difficult and hard to find, a store who sells those expensive guitars. If I should start a guitar store, it will cost me a fortune. Today, the only lightis the fact that here in Europe, US guitars are already expensive, and the fact that the $ versus the € is ABNORMAL.
It is really worth to fly to the USA from BRUSSELS (in my case) and use "tricks" to pass the customs. All you need is the type and brand + serial number, pay 50% in advance and they give you all the information, and you ask a friend a document that he sold you that guitar, some months before. I had a huge car crash, I can still walk, but I need a wheelchair, so they let me pass real easy. If yopu know the price of a MARTIN D-45V here (between 8000-10.000€) compared to the USA price (8000$ = 5200€) = a 4500$ cheaper, and you have the money to buy it, you will have your guitar AND an extra week a luxe holiday. The online companies like musician's friend don't ship to Europe, but even, paying import and taxes, you win a lot.
Brings me on an idea for a topic.
Thanks.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • wlbaye
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: MARTINS, TAYLORS, COLLINGS, GIBSONS

Hello again, Harmony Central is another site to get user reviews and info on guitars and other equipment.I have been in a rut lately and after remembering the excitement I had when i bought
my Hd-28 .I went and played Neil Young's,Needle and The damage done ,Out on the Weekend and Hey Hey MyMy ,Now that made me feel good.One thing I'm sure you know is the higher end guitars require more care.I live in Wyoming and it is very dry here and my martin and yairi like more humidity.
I don't play much bluegrass but there are some festivals and get togethers in our area,and Martins seem to be the predominant choice,so I have a chance to hear alot of different models
I think the player has just as much to do with the sound as the guitar alot of times.
Thanks Wayne

Later, Wayne P

wlbaye's Website

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: MARTINS, TAYLORS, COLLINGS, GIBSONS

wlbaye, this is indeed a good site. I think EPINIONS is similar.
Strange is that I see a guitar returning a lot: MARTIN HD-28.
Having a D-45V, plays fantastic, but my favourite guitar is still the HD-28

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • wlbaye
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: MARTINS, TAYLORS, COLLINGS, GIBSONS

I don't like to get into guitar brand wars,I own or have owned alot of nice guitars,the guitar that gives me the most pleasure to listen to myself play is my HD-28.The best action and playable guitar I have is a Yairi WB-1 SB.My martin tho makes me smile every time I play it.
Wayne

Later, Wayne P

wlbaye's Website