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Post by Lefty Rev on Feb 19, 2020 11:30:01 GMT -5
Okay Martin owners (and fans) - time to start the thread for all things Martin related (including Shenandoah and Sigma guitars [when Sigma was a Martin brand...]).
I currently have several and have owned quite a few in the past five years (I bought my Martin first in 2015 - after playing for nearly 45 years!).
I started with a beautiful left-handed Standard Series D-35/50th Anniversary model (1965 - 2015).
Then a number of others have been through my collection (in order of purchase, all lefty):
2012 D-18 1968 00-16C (nylon string; converted to lefty by me; converted back when I sold back to the previous owner) 2019 000-15SM 2019 J-18 Custom 2019 J-40 2004 OM-21 (for sale) 2008 J-12 16GT (12-string jumbo) 2019 Model America 1 (for sale) 2019 DX Johnny Cash
The ones in bold are the ones I still own - as you can see, even a couple of those are for sale... embarrassing, BUT, I'm learning what works for these old hands, and Martin's new Standard Series saddle spacing of 2 5/32" is too narrow for me to fingerpick on; after about 10 minutes my left (picking) hand starts to hurt...good ol' arthritis!
I wouldn't mind having that 2012 D-18 back - very nice guitars - but my J-18 is in the same sonic territory (and had that narrow saddle spacing), so...
I'll be ordering another soon - a 1931 00-17 Authentic. That will probably be my last for awhile, but I don also want to order another custom shop guitar (based on a D-21 Special) to get the saddle string spacing I want in a rosewood dread.
I'll talk more about some of mine in another post, but...
What'chu got?
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Post by budg on Feb 19, 2020 18:59:51 GMT -5
I’ve got a 2013 D18 presently as well as a 72 D35. Love both.
Ones I’ve had 96 D1(my first Martin that I had for 15 years) 2010 D18 2012 D35
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Post by Lefty Rev on Feb 19, 2020 20:09:40 GMT -5
I’ve got a 2013 D18 presently as well as a 72 D35. Love both. Ones I’ve had 96 D1(my first Martin that I had for 15 years) 2010 D18 2012 D35 Your D-18 and D-35 are two very nice guitars! How different do the necks feel on those two? Do you notice it much?
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Post by budg on Feb 19, 2020 22:03:41 GMT -5
I’ve got a 2013 D18 presently as well as a 72 D35. Love both. Ones I’ve had 96 D1(my first Martin that I had for 15 years) 2010 D18 2012 D35 Your D-18 and D-35 are two very nice guitars! How different do the necks feel on those two? Do you notice it much? They are quite different in my hands. The D35 is a soft V shape that is my absolute Martin neck. It just fits in my hand perfectly. The D18 took me a while to warm up to. Feels thinner and kind of modern fenderish to me. The wider nut gives you a bit more room for fingerpicking . Thanks for the kind words. They are great guitars and the D35 is really special. A joy to play and such balanced wonderful tone.
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MJB
Wholenote
Who's we sucka? Smith, Wesson and me.
Posts: 634
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Post by MJB on Feb 20, 2020 8:37:34 GMT -5
I currently own a 2000 model 00028ec and a 2000 model OM16GT (PRE-MICARTA). They are both fine guitars and I could be happy with either one as my only guitar. I previously owned a D15 (real mahogany not Sapele) but I sold it because I don't care for the 1 11/16" nut width.
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Feb 20, 2020 9:53:18 GMT -5
Past - A D18 bought new in 1976 and returned due to a neck problem. Martin was on strike at the time and not accepting warranty returns so my dealer took it in trade for a J45.
Present - A 000C-16GTE bought new in 2002. It was my workhorse acoustic for many years. It probably needs a bit of fretwork at this point.
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Post by Ragtop on Feb 20, 2020 10:41:10 GMT -5
Let's see, my first was a HD-28V, and then there was a 000-28EC. Then there was an all-hog slot head but I can't remember the designation; rare guitar, but the neck was too slender for me.
Then came a D-18VS, and then there was a really sweet 00-18V that I traded for a Goodall because that was the only way I could make the deal work. I really wanted the Goodall.
And finally is the best of the lot that I plan to keep: a 2014 Custom Shop CEO-7 00-14.
I played a D-18GE a few years ago that still haunts my dreams, so I keep half an eye peeled for one of those. Should have bought that one.
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Tom B.
Halfnote
Posts: 55
Formerly Known As: Tom B.
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Post by Tom B. on Feb 21, 2020 1:31:09 GMT -5
Just one, a D-28 I bought new in 1981. It's just nearly broken in.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Feb 21, 2020 9:44:01 GMT -5
I played a D-18GE a few years ago that still haunts my dreams, so I keep half an eye peeled for one of those. Should have bought that one. There's a lefty D-18GE on Reverb right now (at Elderly's) that's been tempting me - but I want to stick with my original plan to get the 00-17 Authentic... However - I was at Dave's Guitar Shop in LaCrosse the other day - got to spend a couple hours there and play LOTS of Martins (including every dreadnought Authentic model), and there was a DSS-17 Black Smoke that really stood out and sounded good. Now I see a used one for sale on Reverb and THAT is tempting me (much less $$ than the GE...). Temptations, temptations - I'll let you know...
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Post by Ragtop on Feb 21, 2020 16:39:37 GMT -5
I would really like to visit Dave's Guitar Shop. I hear nothing but good things.
The one I played was at Dietze Music. I took it off the wall and played for 20 minutes or so; thought I was playing to myself, not trying to be loud, just fingerpicking. At one point I stopped and Steve (I assume you know him), who was clear outside the acoustic room and way across the outer room, made a nice comment about my playing. I said "you can hear me clear out there?" "Oh, yeah, everyone in the store can hear you," he said. "That sucker is LOUD!"
Probably one of the top 3 guitars I've ever played, it was that good.
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Post by jefe46 on Feb 21, 2020 21:31:44 GMT -5
1939 00-17 1969 D-35S 1998 0000-1 1997 0000-1 D-18S Another D-18 S 1929 5-17T Tenor guitar 1951 1 Uke 195? Tenor Uke 1971 D-18 from a family member new in my grandson's inventory 198? D-16 Used. Dovetail neck, satin finish, special inlays in fingerboard and bridge, excellent guitar, sold when broke. 1989 Custom Mandolin with 5 level trim (Ebony, abalone, highly figured koa top backs and sides ... a total dog.. ) offed it 1999.. New SPD (18) Special bought in Folsom Ca. ..a rare model with ebony bridge and fingerboard. Bridge flew off after 30 days, went back to dealer who advised the guitar had been in their inventory for a years unsold and needed a neck rest.. returned to Martin and was on of the first bolt on necks to be repaired... they did not tell me this when I bought it. Had the bridge fixed by ELderly and offed it. 2000 D-18VS, new, arrived defective and returned day after received. All the glue had turned to white powder and the guitar was imploding, braces hanging down back braces all loose enough to put two business cards under them Martin destroyed the instrument as not repairable and money refunded. New 2003 D-18 GE. Neck twisted withing 30 days, went back to dealer who agreed, needed a new neck, not a rest. Offed it. Used mint 000-16S GT with ebony board and bridge and Waverley tuners before they increased Martin switched to richlite board and bridge and substituted Ping tuners and raised the price 50%. Mint SIGMA all solid Mahogany 00-17 variiant... after 2 years neede a neck resert,.. Changed it to a Hawaiin style then traded it for a Mint 1977 Hardtail Strat one piece body. 2010-11 Custom D-18S V with solid instead of slotted peghead. Back split in less than 30 days, neck needed a reset. Returned to ELderly who returned it to the factory I had to pay all the shipping) n. An 11-14 month saga including promised return calls never made, finally repaired after 5 months. Unsatisfactory repairs.. back still split and neck still needed a reset.. returned to factory direct. More promises to include new neck and back. Then they changed their mind and offered anew guitar of any other model of same value. Agreed, person who was the head of this department ( warranty and repair) fired. No contact for months. Guitar lost. Finally they agreed to build another guitar. Guitar arrived after 11 months. Wrong guitar, wrong specs. Returned guitar. No replacement of r fired employee.. so after dozens of calls over 3 months I contacted Elderly and explained my situation and suggested that it was time they got involved. BTW they lost my guitar which is the reason they agreed to make a new one. Reason they lost it, they destroyed it as unrepairable and did not share the information with other departments. They had no authority to destroy it, I owned it.. and they did not ask or advise me of same. I finally got a refund after 14 months. 2011 Custom 0017 with grad 4 (top of the line mahogany) one piece mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge, tortoise binding , anti crack ribbon inside the sides, scalloped forward shifted bracing, beveled pick guard, old style script on head, stamping on back of head, etc etc. This was ordered before the D-18VS was received by e. I'll shorten this story. Ordered from Elderly. After months of waiting they called and said it arrived and was perfect as they had it in their hands, just inspected and set up and played and sound great. OK Send it OVERNIGHT Guitar arrives, seasoned 24 hours. Opened case, did not remove guitar. Called Elderly and spoke with the the person who said it was perfect ( the person who was in charge of Martin guitars and ordering and custom ordering. They confirmed they had personaly inspected it before and after the set up, and reaffirmed "perfect".
I then said I had not taken it out of the case and the guitar is defective. They challenged me . I then described the failure. The low E string at the 12 fret was over 1/4 inch from the fingerboard edge. The high E string was 1 /16th of an inch from the edge. The neck was offset to the centerline of the top of the guitar and at an approximate 5-7 degrees to the high bout side. And..... the bridge had been off set to the top , and the string pin holes had been drilled off center the center it to the strings and then and then ... they cut off 1 /4 inch of the bridge on the bass side to make the bridge the same distance form the edge of the guitar on both side.. Yes this is all true, I still have the photos. The person did not believe me. I said given the current fiasco with the D-18VS custom, I will not pay the shipping back. They agreed to having UPS pick it up via call tag. They got the guitar and called me a week later. They profusely apologized and had sent the guitar on to Martin. And then said I would have to deal with Martin directly.
Martin .. same circus as before. But this time I would not wait. I suggested that a decision be made, they agreed and would call me back. They never did . After a month I called them .
After being transferred a few times I was informed that the guitar had been destroyed as unrepairable, that there would be a refund though the dealer and my favorite final response from consumer service.... " Martin does not believe we can make a guitar to your standards" All fact.
I no longer will buy new Martins.
I currently own a highly figured mahogany 00-18 V in addition to the second 0000-1 mentioned earlier.
All this buffoonery and CFM IV taking credit for designing the CEO5 (colossal ego opus) when I have documentation to the contrary.. I will not do business with them, and used Martins only
I intend to off the 0000-1 to my grandson, eventually sell the 00-18v and hopefully find another Gibson like my long lost (stolen) 1946 J 45. Or something else from an honorable company.
One Martin I forgot to list..
I bought one of the first 000-15 models from a dealer in St Louis... mine had highly figured mahogany top, back, and sides. Very dark rosewood and bridge. I offed it within 6 months.. great guitar but suffered from NNS. (Narrow Nut Syndrome.. 1 11/16ths)
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Post by hushnel on Feb 25, 2020 9:35:22 GMT -5
The only one I’ve sold was the Little HPL Martin, and it was OK, I traded it in for a smallish Yamaha parlor guitar with a solid top.
1917 Ukulele 2005 00-15 2004 000-15S
The 000-15S was purchased used from a guy on the UMGF. It was a good deal, but when it arrived and turned up, it was anemic. I started to feel I was ripped off, the guy had told me he took it to his luthier to bone the nut and saddle. I was fairly sure Martin wouldn’t send out an instrument like this. I took the strings off, cleaned it and the bridge just feel out of the saddle. I cut and installed a new one and it took care of the problem. I called the guy who sold it to me and recommended he find a new “Luthier”
It seems like all my Martins have a story(excluding the Little Martin), some of my other instruments do too, but only a few of them.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Feb 26, 2020 14:19:33 GMT -5
The one I played was at Dietze Music. I took it off the wall and played for 20 minutes or so; thought I was playing to myself, not trying to be loud, just fingerpicking. At one point I stopped and Steve (I assume you know him), who was clear outside the acoustic room and way across the outer room, made a nice comment about my playing. I said "you can hear me clear out there?" "Oh, yeah, everyone in the store can hear you," he said. "That sucker is LOUD!" Probably one of the top 3 guitars I've ever played, it was that good. I do know Steve, and I've had the pleasure of playing with him a couple times; he is a killer player! He is getting close to retirement, then he and his wife are moving to the Phoenix area (where he has kids and grandkids). Steve is one of the good people I miss in Omaha.
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Post by Ragtop on Feb 27, 2020 7:29:55 GMT -5
The one I played was at Dietze Music. I took it off the wall and played for 20 minutes or so; thought I was playing to myself, not trying to be loud, just fingerpicking. At one point I stopped and Steve (I assume you know him), who was clear outside the acoustic room and way across the outer room, made a nice comment about my playing. I said "you can hear me clear out there?" "Oh, yeah, everyone in the store can hear you," he said. "That sucker is LOUD!" Probably one of the top 3 guitars I've ever played, it was that good. I do know Steve, and I've had the pleasure of playing with him a couple times; he is a killer player! He is getting close to retirement, then he and his wife are moving to the Phoenix area (where he has kids and grandkids). Steve is one of the good people I miss in Omaha. Steve saved my bacon one time. I clicked my amp on one Thursday morning (2009, maybe?) to practice as my band had a Fri/Sat gig coming up. The amp started snapping and popping, making crazy noises. I panicked, threw the amp in the car, and ran down to Russo's thinking I would have to leave the amp to get fixed and rent something else for the gig.
Steve was there, and he said, "Let me have a look." He plugged it in and poked around for a minute, and said, "There it is." He knew it had to be a tube, and sure enough, one of them was loose. He got it seated properly and problem solved. I was rather embarrassed, should have thought of that myself. No big deal to him, he was happy to help me out.
I'm not surprised that he's a good player, always figured he was.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Feb 27, 2020 14:43:34 GMT -5
Steve saved my bacon one time...
I'm not surprised that he's a good player, always figured he was.
Yes, and I doubt you've noticed, but - like Phil Keaggy - he's missing part of a digit on one of his fingers. Hasn't hurt his playing at all. Like Phil, he's compensated for it and is better than probably 80-90% of guitar players! And a great guy to boot, as you mentioned. I miss some of the other guys there, too: Dan S., who retired last year, and, of course, Tim Pratt, the owner. He's been very fair with me over the years, but I've also paid a LOT of his bills! Now back to Martins...your comments about that D-18 GE are haunting me...
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Post by LTB on Mar 10, 2020 2:51:43 GMT -5
I had a medium level Martin D-16GTE. It was ok , nothing fantastic. I replaced the bridge saddle with a Bone saddle and the string pins with Fossilized Mamoth Ivory. Those took from mediocre to very nice sounding and lower action. I eventually sold it as one day it sounded awesome and the next might be dull , I guess from humidity changes.
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dlxrev
Halfnote
Posts: 60
Formerly Known As: DLXREV
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Post by dlxrev on Mar 25, 2020 21:39:55 GMT -5
1966 D-18 1988 HD-28GM (limited “guitar of the month”) this is the prototype for that model 2012 OM-28V 2017 Custom shop 000-28
Each one has a story as all guitars do and I’d be hard pressed to part with any of them. If I could only keep one it would probably be the OM. I’ve bonded to that one like no other guitar I’ve owned.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Oct 8, 2020 8:27:31 GMT -5
Well, time to pull this thread back up, and update my current Martin herd.
I have (yet) another one coming in, probably next Tuesday or Wednesday. I found a "new" 2018 OMCPA4R (that's a mouthful!) for a ridiculously good price (about 55% of MSRP) on Reverb, and decided to give it a try...would make a good stage guitar that I wouldn't worry about getting bumped around.
Here's what all those digits stand for:
OM - Orchestra Model C - Cutaway PA - Performing Artist series 4 - level of trim (they went from 1 to 4 or 5, with 1 being the most bling) R - Rosewood back and sides
Has a Fishman Analog pickup w/built in tuner; we'll see how that works: like a Taylor, it has three small round dials on the side of the guitar: a Volume, a Tone Sweep (that sucks out or adds midrange) and a "window" that has the digital tuner display.
Meanwhile, my current Martin herd:
Custom Shop J-18 12-string J12-16GT DSS-15 StreetMaster OMCPA4R (incoming) Custom Shop J-28 (in progress: ETA April 2021)
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Post by jefe46 on Oct 8, 2020 18:42:04 GMT -5
Forgot about my 000-16S-GT. Ebony bits and Waverlies
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Post by larryguitar54 on Oct 8, 2020 22:03:31 GMT -5
HD28 bought in '05. I'd rush into a burning building to save it.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Nov 11, 2020 11:32:01 GMT -5
Well, time to pull this thread back up, and update my current Martin herd. Meanwhile, my current Martin herd: Custom Shop J-18 12-string J12-16GT DSS-15 StreetMaster OMCPA4R (incoming) Custom Shop J-28 (in progress: ETA April 2021) Quoting the above to update...Meanwhile, my current Martin herd: Custom Shop J-18 12-string J12-16GT DSS-15 StreetMaster
OMCPA4R (returned) Custom Shop J-28 (in progress: ETA April 2021) Martin Junior 000 Jr-10 (also returning...) So... I tried one of these Martin Jr 000's - (the dread Jr. version is pretty popular). In the end, the tone just doesn't do enough for me to keep it, even as a "couch guitar". The low E string just disappears in strums and fingerpicking, with the A and D strings being very dominant. (The 000 Jr. body is actually a little smaller than a standard Martin 00.) I guess I just prefer bigger tone... so I have Martin Jumbos and Larrivee L bodies, mostly. No sense in keeping something that doesn't satisfy... thankfully they have a 30 day return policy.
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jeffscott
Wholenote
Rickenbacker Guru..............
Posts: 138
Age: GOF
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Post by jeffscott on Nov 13, 2020 16:24:42 GMT -5
Only one, a custom OM-18 made in 2009, with very cool features on it, some vintage oriented, one a Dick Boak original concept. I bought it second-hand in 2012. It's my first Martin.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Nov 16, 2020 15:07:39 GMT -5
Only one, a custom OM-18 made in 2009, with very cool features on it, some vintage oriented, one a Dick Boak original concept. I bought it second-hand in 2012. It's my first Martin. You're teasing us...nerds here want to know - what "very cool features"?
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Post by Lefty Rev on Nov 16, 2020 15:14:01 GMT -5
I have a Martin "coming back home" in a couple weeks... I sold my Model America 1 in February, and I've really regretted it. Even though the narrow 2 5/32" saddle spacing isn't ideal for everything, the rest of the guitar (woods, build, tone) was wonderful. Fortunately, the Reverb buyer has graciously volunteered to sell it back to me for about what he paid for it (including taxes). I consider that a worthwhile deal in this case, as it may be the only lefty Model America 1 that Martin made (they only built around 75 of these). This will be my only Martin Standard Series dreadnought ... interesting; this guitar was labeled as "Standard Series" even though it's a limited run, the only one with an Adirondack top and neither Mahogany or Rosewood back and sides. But, that's how it was marketed...
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Peppy
Wholenote
Guitar gear guru at Milano Music Center
Posts: 180
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Post by Peppy on Nov 25, 2020 18:58:20 GMT -5
OM-28E. Just purchased two hours ago. Went into work on my day off and damn if it didn't cost me more than my paycheck! 😁
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Post by billyray on Dec 21, 2020 21:15:29 GMT -5
Okay Martin owners (and fans) - time to start the thread for all things Martin related (including Shenandoah and Sigma guitars [when Sigma was a Martin brand...]).I currently have several and have owned quite a few in the past five years (I bought my Martin first in 2015 - after playing for nearly 45 years!). I started with a beautiful left-handed Standard Series D-35/50th Anniversary model (1965 - 2015). Then a number of others have been through my collection (in order of purchase, all lefty): 2012 D-18 1968 00-16C (nylon string; converted to lefty by me; converted back when I sold back to the previous owner) 2019 000-15SM 2019 J-18 Custom 2019 J-40 2004 OM-21 (for sale) 2008 J-12 16GT (12-string jumbo) 2019 Model America 1 (for sale) 2019 DX Johnny Cash The ones in bold are the ones I still own - as you can see, even a couple of those are for sale... embarrassing, BUT, I'm learning what works for these old hands, and Martin's new Standard Series saddle spacing of 2 5/32" is too narrow for me to fingerpick on; after about 10 minutes my left (picking) hand starts to hurt...good ol' arthritis! I wouldn't mind having that 2012 D-18 back - very nice guitars - but my J-18 is in the same sonic territory (and had that narrow saddle spacing), so... I'll be ordering another soon - a 1931 00-17 Authentic. That will probably be my last for awhile, but I don also want to order another custom shop guitar (based on a D-21 Special) to get the saddle string spacing I want in a rosewood dread. I'll talk more about some of mine in another post, but... What'chu got?
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Post by billyray on Dec 21, 2020 21:22:41 GMT -5
Hey guys. Thanks for letting me join. I have these:
1966 D28 1996 D40FW 1999 D28LF 2001 CEO5
I love all of these for sure but I do miss my old 2004 HD28LSV. man, that guitar was strong. The CEO5 is sweet and a pleasure to finger pick. The Lester Flatt goes without saying anything but amazing and the 66 28 is just my first Martin I bought in 71. It rules. Oh yeh, the D40FW is so beautiful and that figured walnut gives it a sound of it's own. Number 7 orf 150. The Lester Flatt is 34 of 50 so it has the large pick gaurd. Only 17 of the 50 had that.
Ok, make me slobber. What ya got?
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Post by Lefty Rev on Dec 22, 2020 12:32:54 GMT -5
1966 D28 1996 D40FW 1999 D28LF 2001 CEO5 Those are some nice Martins, billyray!My Model America 1 dreadnought is back in the fold, and I'm really enjoying it; glad to have this unique guitar back. Still waiting for the custom J-28 (still April 2021 ETA). Two others that I'm dreaming about are a 000-18 and a D-42. I don't have a short scale Martin, and I've heard several 000-18's that sounded impressive. I'm not into bling, but I love the fretboard inlays of the D-42; it would be the blingiest Martin (or guitar) I'd want to own. Heard one on a Maury's Music YouTube video, and it sounded outstanding as well.
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Post by bluzcat on Jan 2, 2021 23:02:19 GMT -5
My wife and son surprised me with a 000-28 for Christmas. It is lovely, and I’m happy to be part of the “club”.
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Post by Ragtop on Jan 3, 2021 6:16:30 GMT -5
Lucky guy, bluzcat! That's a great guitar, congrats.
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