Are Martin guitars any good?

[Cat]

Now that I have your attention, I know that Martin guitars are quite the hot ticket however I want to be more specific and ask if any of you know much about the Martin DM? I am thinking of buying one but was wondering if I could get some opinions from my trusted compadres on Fenderpick. Thanks guys appreciate any help you can give me.

Cat

[nothin but the blues]

You almost gave me a heart attack Cat :lol:

The DM's are great guitars for that price range. Another guitar to consider in that range would be the D-15... now that guitar is something special. Ask TexMex about it, he has its smaller brother the 000-15... I believe the 15 series Martins to be one of the best kept secrets in the Martin line... but many are finding out about them!

[Jossy]

Lol, the minute i saw the title of this thread, i knew NBTB would be responding like a banshee.... :rlol:

Good to know he is ok, tho'...

Saludos.

[Cat]

Thanks guys, thanks NTBT, I have 2 acoustics at the moment, one is a Fender DG14SCE which is a really nice guitar and the other is a high end 12 string made by Australian guitar maker Maton. However, I am seriously considering upgrading from my Fender to a better 6 string thats why I was looking at Martins. Ill let you know how it goes. Thanks guys,

Cat

PS. Martins are ok right? :thumbsup:

[Bytor1975]

PS. Martins are ok right? :thumbsup:
Eh.. it's no Taylor! :lol:

[aaronl]

HAHAHAHAHA
i just got to read this and i KNOW erik was loosin his mind about this one hahaha

yeah man they are good!

[TexMexMike]

I don't think you can beat the 15 series for price vs. performance. They are solid wood vs. the laminate that the DM sports on the sides. Great range of models to choose from. From the 00-15 (My favorite model, since I have one.. :) ) ,000-15, D-15 to the remarkable 000-15s and D-15s 12 fret slot head models. Can we say "MOJO??"

Also, if mahogony topped guitars are not your cup of tea, Musician Friends sell 2 custom models of the D15. Again, all solid wood construction, with spruce tops and either mahagony or for an extra hundred, rosewood sides and back. No macarta fingerboard here. Rosewood. No plastic kneck, but mahogany! How can one go wrong? Just check the reviews on MF or the UMGF forum.

From around $600.00 dollars up, you can get a Martin built with just as much attention to detail as the MUCH higher priced models. Just a lot less BLING. But still rich in tone just like their more expensive siblings. No, a 000-15 is not a OM-45 Marquis 1933, but then I can guarantee you that the OM-45 does not sound 12 times better than a 000-15! (or the now discontinued OM-15)

Just call ahead and check what the stores have around you. And then play them!

Best of luck Cat! Keeps us up to date! :thumbsup:

[Cat]

Great post Tex thanks, I live in Australia so Im gonna have to check out if Musicians Friend can send Martin guitars O/S (often companies wont let their guitars be sent O/S as their way of maintaining high prices in places like Australia :mad: ) anyway, Ill definitely make a day and try out as many models as I can to find just the right one. Until then...

Cat

[Bytor1975]

Musician's Friend won't ship internationally, but Music123.com will.

http://www.music123.com/Martin-DM-i70449.music

[nothin but the blues]

Great post Mike :thumbsup: , sorry I haven't been able to follow up on this Cat, as you know I'm in Northern Maine/dial up hell.

Also, ditto what Bytor said, but I'm sure if you found a guitar you really wanted, one of your fellow Fenderpick members would help getting it shipped out to ya :thumbsup:

[Cat]

Thanks NBTB. Im sure one of you guys would help me out :thumbsup:. Just saving the funds now.

Cat :smoke:

[TexMexMike]

Cat, any updates? Did you find a Martin or other acoustic? What modles did you play?

>>Always remember the half the fun is in the search for a new guitar!

[Cat]

Hey Tex, yeah I played alot of different models and Ive decided to put off buying a Martin for a while. I did however pick up a great australian made acoustic called a Maton (Which isnt a knockoff of the Martin name as they have been around for about 40 years, but australias premier guitar company whos guitars are played by Tommy Emanuel and just about every other aus guitarist) which I absolutely love. I am still lusting after that woody Martin tone but Im thinking that one will come next year.

Cat

[Disraeli Gears]

I was also looking to upgrade my acoustic a few months ago. I went through the same dilemma choosing my martin. I first started looking at the DM also because of the price range. I went down to my local dealer and played it a few times, not really serious about buying one. I went back a couple of times and i was pretty much sold on the dm. But before i was going to buy that guitar, i played almost every other guitar in the store. I found the 000 16 rosewood gloss top, and it blew my socks off. The tone is amazing. The high end response is great too. I think i prefer that to a dreadnaught. The fretwork is amazing on that guitar. If i could give one piece of adivce, it would be to spend the extra money and don't get one of the laminated guitars. Just go to your local dealer and find the guitar that YOU like.

[buckkillr8]

Just go to your local dealer and find the guitar that YOU like.
:nod: :iagree:

[Cat]

Yeah I never considered the DM's seriously, I prefer the smaller bodys to be honest. One day I will have my Martin :)

Cat

[shrinkme]

I played a friends Martin 20 years ago, and I still remember the feeling of the neck. I seem to remember a distinct triangle or V cross section. Is this accurate?

[TexMexMike]

I've never had the privilage to play a Moton. Seems like an interesting guitar. I believe that they use local woods to make them. I have only heard great things about them. Congrrats on the new guitar!

[TexMexMike]

I played a friends Martin 20 years ago, and I still remember the feeling of the neck. I seem to remember a distinct triangle or V cross section. Is this accurate?

It would depend on the year of manufacturer and model. I can't remember when Martin started to use basically LP necks. Older Martins and Vintage reissues and some of the LE's do have a very pronounced "V" neck. Some love it, others hate it.

Myself, I was not a huge fan of them. I kept going back and playing them. Then one day I picked up a model of Martin with a V neck, not realizing it had one. Started to think, "Wow, this neck feels good!" Now, LP, or C's feel lacking.

1 3/4" V neck convert here! :smoke:

[Cat]

I've never had the privilage to play a Moton. Seems like an interesting guitar. I believe that they use local woods to make them. I have only heard great things about them. Congrrats on the new guitar!
Yeah the Matons are fantastic, they do use local woods to make them. I should post some sound clips some time, I have a 12 string maton too.

Cat

[TexMexMike]

Yeah the Matons are fantastic, they do use local woods to make them. I should post some sound clips some time, I have a 12 string maton too.

Cat

I look forward to the clips!

[shrinkme]

Myself, I was not a huge fan of them. I kept going back and playing them. Then one day I picked up a model of Martin with a V neck, not realizing it had one. Started to think, "Wow, this neck feels good!" Now, LP, or C's feel lacking.

1 3/4" V neck convert here! :smoke:[/QUOTE]
I forgot to mention my point, which was I don't remember how the guitar sounded, but that was the best neck I ever felt. My Guild's neck is really chunky by comparison (what is an LP neck?). Thanks!

[TexMexMike]

Myself, I was not a huge fan of them. I kept going back and playing them. Then one day I picked up a model of Martin with a V neck, not realizing it had one. Started to think, "Wow, this neck feels good!" Now, LP, or C's feel lacking.

1 3/4" V neck convert here! :smoke:
I forgot to mention my point, which was I don't remember how the guitar sounded, but that was the best neck I ever felt. My Guild's neck is really chunky by comparison (what is an LP neck?). Thanks![/QUOTE]

LP= Low Profile. A typical, let's say Taylor neck.