looking at getting a martin

sunshinewelly · June 2020

looking at some general advice before i jump in

there seem to be a few deals around at the moment

if i get a new martin should i make sure its one of the martin re-imagined range

will i regret getting a smaller O size over something like a D28

i have my eyes on these 3 at the moment

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/04042211092418--martin-hd-28?gclid=Cj0KCQjww_f2BRC-ARIsAP3zarHlKIMybqCborzs7Q-_EsptCk8xIcf32pNidFvEpjTB5LxJY7g6uekaApeYEALw_wcB

https://www.peachguitars.com/special-offer-guitars/cf-martin-om18e-lr-baggs-anthem.htm

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/160407296860008--martin-d28-john-lennon

i mostly play electric but purchased but do own a taylor koa g mini

so looking for something that plays i suppose like an electric (if thats possible in an acoustic)

danishbacon · June 2020

OM size is very nice, I've got a couple after finding D sized guitars a bit too large for my arm length. The Om18e at peach is a fine guitar. The neck is very easy to play.

Brize · June 2020

OM guitars are generally considered to be the best of all words, but it depends on what music you're playing.

I wouldn't pay any heed to the 'Reimagined' label - some guitars were much the same as the previous iteration - the OM-21, for example. I find all acoustics to be quite variable - much more so than electrics. You really need to play them.

Andy79 · June 2020

Don’t see these every day. Decent price
if ever you wanted just one guitar this would easily be on the short list

https://reverb.com/item/34046439-martin-om-28

sunshinewelly · June 2020

https://www.prsguitars.com/index.php/acoustics/model/se_a50e

I bought this last week and find it very comfortable so not sure what size this is compared to martins range etc

danishbacon · June 2020

Andy79 said:

Don’t see these every day. Decent price
if ever you wanted just one guitar this would easily be on the short list

https://reverb.com/item/34046439-martin-om-28

That's a nice looking guitar and decent price as well

danishbacon · June 2020

@sunshinewelly looks like the PRS is 15.5" at the lower bout whereas and OM is 15" and a dreadnought 15 5/8ths. But other factors to consider are scale length and body length as they make a huge difference in feel of the guitars overall.

This is handy: https://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_by_body_size

If curious about the om18e I've done a comparison here: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2603186

@boogieman has also picked one up recently: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/181909/new-martin-happy-bunny

Universal8 · June 2020

Why not just use the PRS if you’ve only just got it ?

sunshinewelly · June 2020

i tipped my toe into the prs just to see what a decent acoustic would be like. I can afford a better guitar but did not want to spend a lot at this point in case i just did not get on well with an acoustic. i can always send the prs back etc

sunshinewelly · June 2020

danishbacon said:

@sunshinewelly looks like the PRS is 15.5" at the lower bout whereas and OM is 15" and a dreadnought 15 5/8ths. But other factors to consider are scale length and body length as they make a huge difference in feel of the guitars overall.

This is handy: https://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_by_body_size

If curious about the om18e I've done a comparison here: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2603186

@boogieman has also picked one up recently: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/181909/new-martin-happy-bunny

cheers for the very helpful video

stickyfiddle · June 2020

I have an HD28 and covet the smaller stuff; particularly a12-fret 00 of some sort. I don't think you would regret going for a dreadnought over a smaller bodied model (or vice versa) but I suspect you'll end up wanting both in the long run.

Jontommy · June 2020

stickyfiddle said:

I have an HD28 and covet the smaller stuff; particularly a12-fret 00 of some sort. I don't think you would regret going for a dreadnought over a smaller bodied model (or vice versa) but I suspect you'll end up wanting both in the long run.

This!

i love the sound of a dread but smaller bodied models always sit so well in my hand.

If I had to have only one guitar it would be something like the om18 though

boogieman · June 2020

stickyfiddle said:

I don't think you would regret going for a dreadnought over a smaller bodied model (or vice versa) but I suspect you'll end up wanting both in the long run.

Not sure I entirely agree there. The reason I bought my OM18 is because I just can’t play a dreadnaught anymore without getting cramps in my fretting forearm after a short while. I figured out eventually that it was the size and shape of the body of my dread that put my arm in an awkward playing position (added to the fact that I’m getting old and slowly falling to bits, no doubt). So the body size can make a real difference.

I really like the OM18, it sounds lovely and has a nice comfortable neck, although I wouldn’t describe it as feeling the same as an electric (and those vary... a lot!) it’s a very different feel to my Strat for instance.

£2k for the OM is a lot of money to splash if you’re really not sure.... is there any way you can try one out? I‘d already had a go on a friend’s 000 so was 90% convinced that the OM would work for me.

danishbacon · June 2020

boogieman said:

stickyfiddle said:

I don't think you would regret going for a dreadnought over a smaller bodied model (or vice versa) but I suspect you'll end up wanting both in the long run.

Not sure I entirely agree there. The reason I bought my OM18 is because I just can’t play a dreadnaught anymore without getting cramps in my fretting forearm after a short while. I figured out eventually that it was the size and shape of the body of my dread that put my arm in an awkward playing position (added to the fact that I’m getting old and slowly falling to bits, no doubt). So the body size can make a real difference.

Agreed on this point. Every time I pick up a Dreadnought now it feels like I am hugging a bit of an oil barrel. It's weird to consider, but I think body size, arm length etc could be taken into account when 'sizing-up' an acoustic.

stickyfiddle · June 2020

@boogieman that's a fair comment. I was thinking more from a sonic perspective than an ergonomic one. Obviously if a guitar doesn't physically work for you then the sound is irrelevant

crunchman · June 2020

danishbacon said:

@sunshinewelly looks like the PRS is 15.5" at the lower bout whereas and OM is 15" and a dreadnought 15 5/8ths. But other factors to consider are scale length and body length as they make a huge difference in feel of the guitars overall.

This is handy: https://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_by_body_size

If curious about the om18e I've done a comparison here: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2603186

@boogieman has also picked one up recently: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/181909/new-martin-happy-bunny

It's not just the width though. A dreadnought is deeper back to front than an OM.

sunshinewelly · June 2020

i am around 6 foot 2 and have played a friends old acoustic and found that very uncomfortable. I went for the prs as it was reduced in price and if it was not suitable could send it back. i find the PRS size very comfortable so ideally a martin in that sort of size would be perfect. i also am a sitting down house player - i have no intention of playing to an audience

boogieman · June 2020

sunshinewelly said:

i am around 6 foot 2 and have played a friends old acoustic and found that very uncomfortable. I went for the prs as it was reduced in price and if it was not suitable could send it back. i find the PRS size very comfortable so ideally a martin in that sort of size would be perfect. i also am a sitting down house player - i have no intention of playing to an audience

I’m not even sure it’s about height, more your body shape and where your arm falls in relation to the neck. Sitting down to play a dread seems to make it even worse for me. I’m 6 foot and still struggled with it.

Jontommy · June 2020

Another thing I find playing my dread is how uncomfortable it is whilst sitting on the couch. On a stool it’s a lot more comfortable

markj · June 2020

I have a HD28 reimagined absolutely amazing guitar much preferred the neck on the reimagined version compared to the standard. I really like the wider nut width. What I love about the guitar is the depth and volume out of it, and they’re superbly made. I also mainly play electric but my electrics don’t get picked up a great deal since I got the Martin. I had before a smaller all solid wood Eastman style J45 acoustic but to my ears was lacking in depth and volume. For me a dreadnought is perfect.

Tex Mexico · June 2020

Hey,

I've just traded for a Martin 000-16GT with the same LR Baggs Anthem that's on the OM-18 you linked to above, and I don't necessarily plan on keeping it.

Let me know if you're interested, I'm based in Preston Lancs.

sunshinewelly · June 2020

cheers everyone - decided to get one of those peach Om 18 models

Jontommy · June 2020

sunshinewelly said:

cheers everyone - decided to get one of those peach Om 18 models

Enjoy. No doubt it’ll be lovely.

In a few months with a bit of man maths you should be able to add a dread to your collection as well

danishbacon · June 2020

sunshinewelly said:

cheers everyone - decided to get one of those peach Om 18 models

Hope it suits you @sunshinewelly, let us know how it goes. Been playing mine daily.

Andy79 · June 2020

Coda have a used 0-18 if anyone is interested. Decent price, very well balanced are these

boogieman · June 2020

Great guitars the OM18, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do.

Just restrung mine with Martin Retro 12’s, they sound really nice.

fretfinder · June 2020

Andy79 said:

Coda have a used 0-18 if anyone is interested. Decent price, very well balanced are these

I’ve been ogling that one every day since it was listed. I finally caved in today!

Gandalph · June 2020

fretfinder said:

Andy79 said:

Coda have a used 0-18 if anyone is interested. Decent price, very well balanced are these

I’ve been ogling that one every day since it was listed. I finally caved in today!

Me too but I didn’t push the button. Kinda wish I had now. Enjoy!

The search continues....

bermudianbrit · June 2020

Here's something a bit left field...The Martin Grand Performance is amazing. I have a GPC35E and love it. It blends the best of the OM and the dred

Andy79 · June 2020

fretfinder said:

Andy79 said:

Coda have a used 0-18 if anyone is interested. Decent price, very well balanced are these

I’ve been ogling that one every day since it was listed. I finally caved in today!

Wise choice. That’s going to be a Great guitar. These 0 size Martins are special

fretfinder · June 2020

Gandalph said:

fretfinder said:

Andy79 said:

Coda have a used 0-18 if anyone is interested. Decent price, very well balanced are these

I’ve been ogling that one every day since it was listed. I finally caved in today!

Me too but I didn’t push the button. Kinda wish I had now. Enjoy!
The search continues....

Andy79 said: Wise choice. That’s going to be a Great guitar. These 0 size Martins are special

Thanks guys. I do hope you’re right!

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

looking at getting a martin

Comments