NODGD (RIOAF)

Lewy · June 2018

New Opinion Dividing Guitar Day (Relax It’s Only A Finish)....

‘37 Authentic D-28 Aged.

Yep...aged. I was far from sold on the concept when they were first announced and to be honest the example that Martin put in their promo video looked way too relic’ed rather than aged. This one has virtually no artificial wear (you can only see it at all close up)

So “aged” in this case means the colour of the exceptionally thin lacquer and the fact that there isn’t a sharp edge on it anywhere. It feels and sounds gorgeous.

Torrefied Adirondack top and braces, Madi rosewood back and sides, hide glue construction.

Bass is very interesting as it kind thumps out when you hit the low strings but doesn't boom. Overall sound is nice and direct and dry.

earwighoney · June 2018

Very nice indeed.

The A series seem to be up there with the very best guitars Martin have ever made.

Does your guitar have an adjustable truss?

Lewy · June 2018

earwighoney said:

Very nice indeed.

The A series seem to be up there with the very best guitars Martin have ever made.

Does your guitar have an adjustable truss?

Nope. It has a truss rod but non adjustable. Compared to how I like my Collings set up, this has more relief but I think the slightly shorter scale and general Martin-esque looseness means it's very easy to play.

TimmyO · June 2018

This looks like an old guitar. It is lovely.

BigLicks67 · June 2018

I can hear that top vibrating from here and it looks terrific.

AliGorie · June 2018

that ting's got the whump in it.

Lewy · June 2018

AliGorie said:

that ting's got the whump in it.

Certainly has.

The reason I knew I had to get it was because I actually involuntarily laughed out loud twice when I was trying it out which has never happened before! Once when I played a rest stroke on the low E for the first time and once when I did that bluegrass rhythm thing where you crack the top three strings diagonally towards the bridge to get that big accent stab. Visceral stuff.

AliGorie · June 2018

ah - Lewy - the involuntary chortle - don't lie.

I've had it a few times with instruments AND players, most was when I reed'd up an early 1900's Irish pipe chanter which had been lying in someones cupboard for 40 yrs - quite utilitarian in design but well thought out and made (bit like guitars from that era) fired it up with a flurry of notes ending on a ghost D - burst out laughing and sat still for a while taking in what I'd just experienced -

PS, ghost D or the bottom note of the stick (depending which key the chanter is made in) struck hard sends the column of air / reed into hyper drive and ya get an array of harmonics added to the normal note. It is also an indicator as to the potential richness of the timbre of the instrument - some sticks struggle achieve this, with others, it's 'just there' but a few open the portal to somewhere else. We occasionally get this with SOME guitars.

- just HAD to share

meltedbuzzbox · June 2018

I played a few of those at Coda. They are very, very nice.

CloudNine · June 2018

Looks awesome. Congrats!

Lewy · June 2018

A little demo for anyone interested. I make a total spagbol of it at the end but you'll get the idea....

paganskins · June 2018

Lookslovely, congratulations. Your thread prompted me to get my HD28V out and have a bash on it.

AliGorie · June 2018

aye, that'll do the job Lewy.

Whats the neck prof, see u'r using yer thumb effortlessly which I find v uncomfortable with V shape.

happy pickin

Lewy · June 2018

AliGorie said:

aye, that'll do the job Lewy.
Whats the neck prof, see u'r using yer thumb effortlessly which I find v uncomfortable with V shape.
happy pickin

It’s a fairly low profile down at the nut (it’s 1 3/4” nut but that’s never been a dimension I’ve been particularly sensitive to...1 3/4”, 1 11/16”, whatever...doesn’t affect me it seems).

Then it gets more chunky V and quite wide up past the 7th fret.

AliGorie · June 2018

good L, yeah neck width has never been a reason not to be able to play for me - off course I have a preference in overall 'feel' of the neck proportions, width being just one of them. There is the ergonomics of 'playing style' of the 'fretting hand' - my thumb normally moves around on the back of the neck depending on finger positioning required. I find the full out V restricts that / directs the thumb into a 'wrap round' (vice grip) hold.

keep on pickin

john_r · June 2018

That's a lovely looking and sounding guitar, congrats! Nice picking in the video too!

BigLicks67 · June 2018

AliGorie said:

aye, that'll do the job Lewy.
Whats the neck prof, see u'r using yer thumb effortlessly which I find v uncomfortable with V shape.
happy pickin

I must admit I've got rid of a guitar or two due to having overly large necks. However, my OM vintage series has a ginormous neck with a pronounced V and I've been happily playing that for 15+ years. So you never can tell.

Lewy · June 2018

The V on this one is quite subtle...not boaty at any point. I actually think this 30's neck shape is a work of genius...it's kind of a C shape down by the nut where you want to play your cowboy chords, and then as you move up - where you'll likely want to adopt a more classical hand position - the top side of the V gives you a nice "shelf" to rest your thumb on and the neck widens out considerably to give you more room to play cleanly. I love it.

wesker123 · June 2018

Are these the 10k ones?

AliGorie · June 2018

u whaaaaaaaat ?

it's (nice) bits 'a dead trees, ya can't be serious.

Lewy · June 2018

8.5k to be precise.

If we’re going to have a tedious discussion about value, I’ll leave you to it.

wesker123 · June 2018

It was a simple question. Goodbye.

AliGorie · June 2018

If it's 'For You' and ya got the dosh - on yourself Lewy.

Lewy · June 2018

wesker123 said:

It was a simple question. Goodbye.

Sorry ... wasn’t a response to your question. More Ali’s “you can’t be serious”. Shouldn’t have bitten. My apologies

wesker123 · June 2018

Lewy said:

wesker123 said:

It was a simple question. Goodbye.

Sorry ... wasn’t a response to your question. More Ali’s “you can’t be serious”. Shouldn’t have bitten. My apologies

No worries.

AliGorie · June 2018

now I need to apologise, it's no concern of mine what folks pay for instruments - sorry Lewy.

Being an amateur / hobbyist player - though passionate with it, and bearing in mind the last guitar I bought was 20 yrs ago - I'm a long ways outs touch on what this stuff costs.

My Lowden L25 cost £740 30yrs ago and from MY perspective the current cost of that guitar, now the O25 is just under 3k. Thats kinda where I get MY idea of where the bars set for a fine 'pro' instrument, which in realty is more than i need.

All that being said - if yer a 'Pro' and get equipment 'on expenses' - that's different - get 'the best your allowence will afford you.

Lewy · June 2018

We’re all good @AliGorie ;

AliGorie · June 2018

just did the inflation thingy and who'd have thunk - my £740 Lowdie was the equivalent of £1850 today - seems I'm consistent at least.

Have ya posted any 'clips' yet Lewy ? - looking forward to that.

Lewy · June 2018

AliGorie said:

Have ya posted any 'clips' yet Lewy ? - looking forward to that.

Only the video above...nothing with a proper mic yet. It's on the to do list!

BigLicks67 · June 2018

If you do use a proper mic, how about a straight up RHB comparison with this original 1937:

Lewy · June 2018

BigLicks67 said:

If you do use a proper mic, how about a straight up RHB comparison with this original 1937:

As long as you’re not expecting me to play it like Jake!!

Howdy, Stranger!

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