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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 19, 2022 9:59:35 GMT -7
Since my birthday is right around the corner and this will be my 50th year playing guitar and because i've only owned three cheap-o acoustic guitars and because my local guitar shop just listed a 1971 Martin D-41 and 2017 Martin D-35 and considering my hearing will only get worse over time... I got G.A.S.
D-41/45 guitars have been on my mind ever since i got to play a friend's one night and fell in love with it. the most amazing tone and volume i've ever experienced with an acoustic.
D-35 has always been on my mind just because they're so iconic.
I'm going to check them out today or tomorrow. The D-41, at $5,900, is more than twice the price of the D-35. I may not like how either plays and may have to go in search of the right guitar, but in any event, i think i'm ready to buy myself a nice acoustic before it's too late.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Sept 19, 2022 10:20:06 GMT -7
Treat yourself right Ian! Over a decade ago I started my "good" acoustic shopping. I had a Guild F40 that I ordered back in '81 from a local store near my home in Tustin CA. Everyone I knew had a Martin D18 and I wanted to be different for some reason so i Jan '81 I ordered it and rec'd it 3 months later. I played it for a few decades and really liked it, but when I had the opportunity to play some REAL nice guitars down at Buffalo Bros in San Diego I realized I am missing something - a LOT of something. All of their Taylors, Gibson, Larrivee's, and other real good guitars were downstairs. But when I went upstairs I discovered Goodall, Collings, Froggy Bottom, Gallagher, and more names I've never heard of - all of which started around 4 grand and up. There were a few super Martins up there and I sat up there for a few hours playing a lot of them. But the one that bit me was a used Bourgois Country Boy (D18 style). There wasn't a ding on it, and it felt and played better to me than most all the rest (and a few grand cheaper). That is what went home with me and I have no regrets. I'm happy for you because this is a fun position to be in when you know what you are after but searching and discovering the one that speaks to you.
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Post by GuitarZ on Sept 19, 2022 10:30:53 GMT -7
Ah! Good Luck & Enjoy! My wife's present to me on my 50th was my first real acoustic: Martin HD-28V. I know the feeling. And, it's a very good feeling. And, I remember, besides the actual purchase, it was fun playing through the different models and manufacturers to find what I liked. So, again, Good Luck & Good Tone!
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Post by ME on Sept 19, 2022 13:38:09 GMT -7
The goodness of a guitar is always subjective to your personal preferences. I seem to prefer the sound of a good Gibson. I believe, similar to electric guitar/amp combinations, that the iconic acoustic guitars have signature sounds, in the main. I found one that had a powerful, more open sound than most Gibsons, yet it still retains its Gibson heritage. Good luck on your search. ME
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 19, 2022 15:04:44 GMT -7
i had g.a.s. for a Gibson j-45 last year but i walked away and a few months later a FB friend posts a vid of her husband playing a J-45. Turns out it was the same guitar. i ran into him a few weeks ago and we joked about it. the dealer in town with the Martin also has a used J-45 in stock. I stopped in earlier today to play them all but they were still on a truck coming back from the Seattle Intl guitar show, which was this past weekend. Not sure if it's significant that they didn't sell at the guitar show. we'll see.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 19, 2022 16:38:03 GMT -7
Cool, Ian. I bought a new guitar and two amps for my birthday this year. Do it!
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 19, 2022 18:44:46 GMT -7
It is a fun and exasperating experience shopping for “that” acoustic. Over 20 years ago I went on that search and after many stores across Chicago I found my Martin 000-28ec. I liked the short scale for several reasons. I felt it had a sweet sound that at times was reminiscent of nylon strings. It was also nice for soloing as you could bend the string a little easier than the 25.5 scale. But here we are 20 years later and I had another itch. I wanted the longer scale for a little jangle and what I felt was a little more headroom when I dug in. It was going to be a D-35 after comparing to the D-28. I think it was the lighter bracing that gave just a slight more sparkle.But then while on the Martin forum I started reading about the J-40, a jumbo by Martin standards. I was going to try one out, but it sold two days before I was going to see it. It was said to have great balance and to be a sleeper in the Martin line. Long story short, I couldn’t find one, but Maury’s in PA had a J-28. Same jumbo shape, less abalone bling, and D-35 style bracing as opposed to the J-40 which was braced as the D-28. G.A.S. got me and I ordered it online, something that goes against my principals. My leap of faith paid off. Great balance, super projection, wonderful Martin tone in a beautifully understated package. I love both my Martins. Both play wonderfully. Enjoy the search. Good luck. There is something so satisfying about a good acoustic. This is the J-28.
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Post by John on Sept 20, 2022 5:29:05 GMT -7
Pretty soon you'll stop playing electric and you'll be doing solo/duo acoustic shows.
At $5,900...I'd skip the D-41. (just my un-asked-for opinion)
If you're planning on gigging with it, my experience is to buy a guitar without the pickup. That way, you get to choose the one you want. (I'm partial to LR Baggs' Anthem model)
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 20, 2022 9:44:58 GMT -7
I really like the 35--you get a tasteful-looking bound neck, that distinctive 3-piece back, AND lighter top-bracing than all the lower (28, 18, etc.) models; but your guitar still won't be "too pretty to take anywhere."
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 20, 2022 10:30:31 GMT -7
i spent 5 summers of my teen years going to a summer camp in northern california. it was a jewish camp so we had song leaders. the two song leaders in my section of the camp both had amazing voices and guitar chops. one played a D-28, one played a D-35. At the time i just had my first acoustic... a 70's era Kay dreadnought sized thing.. been lusting after either of those Martins for a long time.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 20, 2022 10:47:16 GMT -7
At $5,900...I'd skip the D-41. that is my plan. if mommy and daddy had left me a trust fund, i would own a 41 or 45 just because i think they're that special. They also hold their value pretty well so i wouldn't feel as if i was pissing away money i couldn't recoup some day. that said, I'm going to check out the J45 and D35 and the D41 (just for reference and fun) and, unless the 35 or 45 speaks to me, i'm going to keep looking but i'm not going to wait for perfection. At the rate my hearing is failing, i can't afford to wait too long.
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Post by Ridgeback on Sept 20, 2022 10:49:47 GMT -7
I had acoustic GAS a couple of times and bought a medium quality 6 string and 12 string. My fully hollow body electrics (ES175, Tal Farlow, Byrdland, ES330) sounded fine unplugged for my purposes and were more comfortable to play. I usually test drive a couple of acoustics whenever I go into my local shop but acoustic GAS has not returned. Good luck on your search.
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Post by John on Sept 20, 2022 12:12:57 GMT -7
a 70's era Kay dreadnought sized thing
Oh Gawd...I had one of those. Total piece of junk. It would have served me better as campfire wood on a January night.
You could drive a truck between the strings and the fretboard at the 12th fret.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 20, 2022 12:23:18 GMT -7
a 70's era Kay dreadnought sized thing
Oh Gawd...I had one of those. Total piece of junk. It would have served me better as campfire wood on a January night.
You could drive a truck between the strings and the fretboard at the 12th fret.
nice. my dad was vp of sales from '65 to '75. he thanks you for your patronage.
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Post by John on Sept 21, 2022 16:49:15 GMT -7
I'm going to check them out today or tomorrow.
Well? ....what did you think?
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 21, 2022 18:18:47 GMT -7
I'm going to check them out today or tomorrow.
Well? ....what did you think?
Monday: I went in to try them but they were still en route from a guitar show over the weekend. Wasted a whole $1 on parking.
Tuesday: I did some internet searches for acoustics to see what else was available to try in the area; contemplated and confirmed that I am making a good decision on buying a guitar; reconfirmed spousal support... and i stayed away from the guitar store. Wednesday: I msg'd the shop owner to ask if the guitars made it back to the shop. I never heard back. I could have called the shop directly to ask... but didn't do it.
Thursday: Hopefully I'll get a chance to check them out.
Stand by.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 22, 2022 9:45:53 GMT -7
twenty minutes after my previous post, i got a text back saying he sold (3) D35's over the weekend but he has the D41 and J45 at the shop. I will try and get there today to take a close look at the J45.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 22, 2022 15:15:43 GMT -7
I went to the shop today on my lunch and they only had the D-41 in the shop. After some phone calls, the owner realized he had the J-45 at his house. I'm going to stop in on Friday morning and check it out. here's the listing on Reverb:
here's the D41:
and i played this early 90's J100 xtra - lovely sound but a bit of a stiff feel to it.
he also has what he referred to as a "d-28v" which he said was beautiful but there was a problem with the binding and he was having it repaired. i'm guessing he means an HD-28v. that could be an interesting option, too.
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Post by GuitarZ on Sept 22, 2022 15:35:12 GMT -7
... he also has what he referred to as a "d-28v" which he said was beautiful but there was a problem with the binding and he was having it repaired. i'm guessing he means an HD-28v. that could be an interesting option, too.
I was about to opine about how I love my HD-28v's big sound. But, a quick internet search says it could be a D-28V. They were made for a short time in the early 80's: umgf.com/1983-d-28v-t186566.html. That's probably going to be. nice one too. Also, I remember as I was playing through the different guitars, both my wife and I were like "This is the one" as I was strumming my HD-28V. I'm guessing you'll have the same fun and find your "one".
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 23, 2022 13:58:25 GMT -7
brought the J-45 home for the weekend and hopefully the D-28v will be available to try late next week. i do like the 45. it's a late 2016, virtually unplayed and there's not much to find fault with it. it appears to have never been sold (came from an estate of a guy who owned a music store. it included a lot of 150 guitars and everything else that was in inventory at the store). and will probably buy it if i don't like the D-28 more. video doesn't do it justice of course.
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Post by John on Sept 28, 2022 8:05:28 GMT -7
Has a decision been made?
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 28, 2022 9:06:48 GMT -7
Has a decision been made? nope. still sitting with the J-45 and waiting on the D-28.
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Post by GuitarZ on Sept 28, 2022 9:10:02 GMT -7
Not a bad place to sit and wait.
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Post by smolder on Sept 28, 2022 9:18:23 GMT -7
Since my birthday is right around the corner and this will be my 50th year playing guitar and because i've only owned three cheap-o acoustic guitars and because my local guitar shop just listed a 1971 Martin D-41 and 2017 Martin D-35 and considering my hearing will only get worse over time... I got G.A.S.
D-41/45 guitars have been on my mind ever since i got to play a friend's one night and fell in love with it. the most amazing tone and volume i've ever experienced with an acoustic.
D-35 has always been on my mind just because they're so iconic.
I'm going to check them out today or tomorrow. The D-41, at $5,900, is more than twice the price of the D-35. I may not like how either plays and may have to go in search of the right guitar, but in any event, i think i'm ready to buy myself a nice acoustic before it's too late.
be careful. I headed this direction a few years ago and ended up with three. I’ve recoiled back to playing electric 95% of the time. But… I could have a cool impromptu acoustic jam at my house.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 28, 2022 9:31:45 GMT -7
Same thing with me, but I didn't go full out acoustic, I just got an older Yamaho and then little Taylor GS Mini Koa that satisfied the itch. But I still play 99% electric.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 28, 2022 9:43:33 GMT -7
no worries on going overboard for me. It will be one guitar as that's all i can afford. i find it interesting when i hear comments here and on acoustic guitar forums just how many people distinguish themselves as either electric or acoustic players. I've always been about 50/50. I think it has to do with being into both the Stones and Zeppelin, as they both had a lot of acoustic based songs. I love the ability to control dynamics and tone with just the hands. anyway... i'm waiting to hear back on the Martin still. I'd like to make a decision soon so i can relax when playing the guitar without worrying that i'll scratch or nick it before i have to return it.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Sept 28, 2022 10:09:38 GMT -7
Nice finish on that J-45 your playing. I’m going to venture a guess you will find a similar stiff feel like the J-100 on that HD-28v as it is 25.5 scale vs 24.75 on the J-45. It’s funny I don’t find the difference on electric nearly as noticeable, but on my 2 Martins of different scale lengths it’s more apparent. I find when laying into the short scale it flubs out a little as opposed to the longer scale. That’s why I wanted both. Enjoy the decision process. It’s nice that he allowed you the time with the J-45. It’s a looker and sounded nice on the video. Good luck.
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 28, 2022 11:01:53 GMT -7
if i keep the J-45, i'll take it over to a luthier/tech to get it checked out and set up proper. the intonation is pretty spot on except for the low E and the notes don't ring nearly as much (not dead but less ring) up beyond the 14th or 5th frets. wondering if that's a neck relief adjustment thing or what. I believe the guitar was PLEK'D in the factory but who knows how it was stored and cared for since 2017.
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Post by helmi on Sept 28, 2022 15:29:53 GMT -7
Love the little “wildflowers” segment!
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Post by The Bad Poodle Experience on Sept 30, 2022 10:18:57 GMT -7
the more i sit with the J-45 the more i think: 1. i really like this guitar. it's fun to play. 2. why is there a spot on the finish? why is there a spot of glue at the edge of the bridge? Is this thing defective?!?!?
I'm trying to set up a meeting with a buddy who has a J-45 so i can A/B em.
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