Acoustic? What’s That??

[Mr. Willy]

I’ve decided to throw some coin down (budget is $3000) on a nice acoustic. I’ve only played a handful of what I consider to be very nice acoustics - several Taylors, old Gibson Hummingbird, Martin D-28, and a Collings.

I’ve decided to go with a Martin. They just sound the best to me. Plus, I know the craftsmanship will be top notch and consistent from model to model. My local mom and pop store has a 1966 D-28, but it’s $6000, which is well out of my range. It’s killer though. Brazilian rosewood.

Have any of you guys had experience with the D-28 versus the HD-28? I know and understand what the differences are. The HD has that massive bottom end, which sounds killer in the room but could be an “issue” when recording. The D-28 seems more balanced, totally, overall. Which would you go with and why?

 

[AmpliFIRE]

I have an HD-28 and a D18. Both are killer guitars overall and you can’t go wrong with either. If I had to keep one it would be the D18. It just has “that” tone to me. Loud, balanced and clear. I posted a clip on Facebook (Martin Guitar Owners group) comparing both.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Also, I much prefer the HD28 to the standard D28. It’s louder overall for sure but not overwhelming boomy if that makes sense. My friend has a D28 with the torrified top that is great.

I have a love/hate with Taylor’s. Gibson acoustics are hit and miss. You can’t go wrong with a Martin...

 

[Smash]

The thing is with acoustics, You don't really want to think that much about the models. If you know what model you like, then buying one new is ok. But with old ones, they will speak to you. Playing is the only way. There is a variety of difference in feel and sound within same model in older guitars. I bought a new d18 cuz i know that I will love the thing in 20 years.

 

[SpiderWars]

The only difference is the Herringbone right? Big bottom can be an issue with Rosewood back and sides. Mahogany is usually more balanced but it just depends. I typ go for Rosewood but tend to steer away from the big bottom ones. And the D should be cheaper. I tend to like Martins too.

 

[braintheory]

For under $10k the old Gibson’s and Martin’s have been my favorites of what I’ve tried, but I tend to like Gibson’s more unless you’re talking about some of those REALLY expensive old Martin’s. Like others said, with those older guitars it’s always a crapshoot and more about that particular guitar imo than the exact model. Some sound really resonant, lively and warm, while some of the same model can sound dead. I’ve got myself a ‘50’s Gibson LG-3 mahogany that’s one of the best steel strings I’ve heard so far. The only vintage guitars I liked more so far were some vintage Martin’s I’ve tried that were anywhere from $35k to 6 figure, which I’m not gonna buy lol. I paid $2400 for my Gibson LG-3. It sent packing a 1936 Martin 00-17 I had before which was a lot more money, but also to me a very good guitar

 

[AmpliFIRE]

The only difference is the Herringbone right? Big bottom can be an issue with Rosewood back and sides. Mahogany is usually more balanced but it just depends. I typ go for Rosewood but tend to steer away from the big bottom ones. And the D should be cheaper. I tend to like Martins too.

The HD has forward shifted scalloped bracing which adds bottom end.

 

[Mr. Willy]

The only difference is the Herringbone right? Big bottom can be an issue with Rosewood back and sides. Mahogany is usually more balanced but it just depends. I typ go for Rosewood but tend to steer away from the big bottom ones. And the D should be cheaper. I tend to like Martins too.

The HD has scalloped bracing which allows the top the vibrate and move a bit more.

 

[Mr. Willy]

The thing is with acoustics, You don't really want to think that much about the models. If you know what model you like, then buying one new is ok. But with old ones, they will speak to you. Playing is the only way. There is a variety of difference in feel and sound within same model in older guitars. I bought a new d18 cuz i know that I will love the thing in 20 years.

I hear ya man. I just don’t wanna spend too much. My budget is pretty tight at 3 grand. If I didn’t have three small kids, I’d go grab that ‘66 D-28 for 6G. That’s super expensive, but it’s be an investment that would just go up in value. I can’t justify spending that much money on a guitar considering the responsibilities I have, family-wise.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Also, I much prefer the HD28 to the standard D28. It’s louder overall for sure but not overwhelming boomy if that makes sense. My friend has a D28 with the torrified top that is great.

I have a love/hate with Taylor’s. Gibson acoustics are hit and miss. You can’t go wrong with a Martin...

This is some good info. I’m concerned about a boomy bottom end. It’s a bit of give and take on this point because in the room, that big bottom can sound amazing, but it might be too much when you mic it up for recording. I’ve played scalloped braced tops on rosewood back and sides, and it sounded amazing.

Taylors are exactly as you described to me, hit and miss. Gibson is the same as well. Their quality is too suspect for me. Martins are consistent from guitar to guitar, pretty much. Their quality is pretty tight.

 

[Mr. Willy]

For under $10k the old Gibson’s and Martin’s have been my favorites of what I’ve tried, but I tend to like Gibson’s more unless you’re talking about some of those REALLY expensive old Martin’s. Like others said, with those older guitars it’s always a crapshoot and more about that particular guitar imo than the exact model. Some sound really resonant, lively and warm, while some of the same model can sound dead. I’ve got myself a ‘50’s Gibson LG-3 mahogany that’s one of the best steel strings I’ve heard so far. The only vintage guitars I liked more so far were some vintage Martin’s I’ve tried that were anywhere from $35k to 6 figure, which I’m not gonna buy lol. I paid $2400 for my Gibson LG-3. It sent packing a 1936 Martin 00-17 I had before which was a lot more money, but also to me a very good guitar

The three best acoustics I’ve played were an old Gibson Hummingbird, a Collings OOO Model, and an old Martin D-28.

 

[braintheory]

The three best acoustics I’ve played were an old Gibson Hummingbird, a Collings OOO Model, and an old Martin D-28.

I’ve considtently liked the older Gibson’s. The Collings I’ve tried I thought were decent, but haven’t played one yet that really wowed me. The best non-vintage acoustic I’ve tried so far was a Somogyi, but was $25k and that’s on the low end for a Somogyi. It was very loud and by far the biggest bottom end of any acoustic I’ve tried, but not the warmest or most woody sound. I still like better the best vintage Martin’s tried, but even those D series ones you mentioned I don’t think will have anywhere the bottom end of the Somogyi. Some guys find it too much, but I liked it. Worked well for my fingerpicking classical stuff. The best acoustic I’ve tried so far was a 1930 Martin from a collector that they said was worth in the 6 figures. Not sure the model name, was a smaller body, maybe a 00 or 000 of some sort, not sure, but sounded phenomenal, almost like a harpsichord. In another league probably to anything else I’ve tried so far. The ‘36 Martin 00-17 I owned didn’t sound half as good unfortunately, but still was a nice guitar