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The Unwound Third => Gitfiddles, Harps, Washboards & Kazoos => Topic started by: Rivers on February 11, 2004, 09:59:20 PM

Title: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Rivers on February 11, 2004, 09:59:20 PM
Anyone played one? What did you think? I have a certain craving, dark sunburst... I'm not a rosewood guy but think I could adjust. With time.

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=z&g=g&m=HD-28VS

I know it's a terrible chore but could somebody please go check one out for me, I'm in the land of no HD28VS's
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Slack on February 12, 2004, 08:13:14 AM
Hey Rivers,

If you are going to come all that way and spend that money - why don't you spend a bit more and get exactly what you want - a Collings DS1 or DS1A (adirondak top).  Collings sunbursts are the nuts.

http://www.collingsguitars.com/dreadnoughts-DS1A.htm

Cheers,
slack

BTW, I have a Martin OM18VS and like the VS series a lot.  The through saddles make installing an under saddle pickup more difficult and also make replacing the synthetic saddle with bone a bit more difficult (which is what you want to do to improve the sound).

Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Rivers on February 12, 2004, 07:58:03 PM
It's a thought. Are they a lot more expensive than CFM?
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Slack on February 12, 2004, 08:55:34 PM
Martin won't allow publically advertised prices so get an email quote from Elderly.  Here is a straight up comarison.

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/HD28VS.htm

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/COLDS2H.htm

A suburst bumps the price on the Collings - there is a suburst collings on Elderly too - so check it out, no comparison in that regard, IMO.

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/COLD2HSB-WIDE.htm
or
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/COLCJSB.htm

If you want to save money - don;t even look at a Collings - ask Mick.  ;)

 
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Slack on February 13, 2004, 08:37:34 AM
Rivers,

I'm having fun doing your guitar shopping (been awhile since I;ve done any myself!) - here is your Martin in Mahogany, used, about half the price of a new Collings.? At that savings you can get a custom burst.? Have it shipped to my house and I'll keep it safe till you get here. ;D

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/10U-3603.htm

cheers,
slack
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Rivers on February 14, 2004, 01:56:09 AM
Darn, that confuses things. I'd have to play both. Mahogany is good. But I reeeally need a herringbone rosewood guitar for a change.
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Rivers on February 20, 2004, 02:33:54 PM
Anyone laid their hands on the CEO-5 Martin slope shouldered 12 fretter? Looks just the thing for a CB dread.
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: waxwing on February 20, 2004, 03:27:33 PM
Well, I'm gonna advise you to think more about that D-18VMS. I have a '67 D-18S which the new guitar is a replica of and it has a great blues sound. It was my HS graduation present in '69. Volume and depth across the range, doesn't overload and I'm told it will record well. But, people always tell you to buy what they have, right. Well, it'll be at PT if you can wait that long.
All for now.
John C.
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: frankie on February 20, 2004, 04:54:24 PM
Anyone laid their hands on the CEO-5 Martin slope shouldered 12 fretter? Looks just the thing for a CB dread.

That looks like an interesting guitar.? I don't usually get too excited about signature models, but the Norman Blake model looks cool to me.? A mahogany one would have me running out right now to try one!

It's not a dread, though...? so prolly doesn't turn your crank at the moment <g>.
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Slack on February 20, 2004, 05:52:53 PM
Cool!  You can have a big honking Avatar and the software maintains its margins!  okay... back to bidness.

Quote
Anyone laid their hands on the CEO-5 Martin slope shouldered 12 fretter? Looks just the thing for a CB dread.

OK Rivers, we're (meaning myself) are going to give you a hard time.   ;D

To some a "dread" and "CB" is an oxymoron. To still more a Martin CEO-anything and "CB" is an oxymoron.  What this suggests is that you have a limp "thumb" (sorry just got back from happy hour... heh).

One more smart-a remark for you to think about.  Several years ago (I've forgotten which) Mary Flowers, on introductory night at PT(and the rest of the week) played her '36 Gibson L-00 and it blew everything else away (tone, volume,  even across the range - much bigger sound than any guitar (including dreads) played all week.  So, - why a Dread? ... which tend to be bass heavy (as waxwing suggests).

Been awhile since I've been on the Martin site - big improvement!

cheers,
slack



Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Rivers on February 21, 2004, 12:16:41 AM
Why a dread?
I do like the look of the CEO5 though... reminds me of a Gibson. http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=m&m=CEO-5&PHPSESSID=5ae0c6d18d9f9fb28bb72d586d35f782
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Slack on February 21, 2004, 08:22:08 AM
Yes, a fine looking guitar.  I've forgotten what they mean by "hybrid" bracing, so will have to check that out.

Ah, but Dreads and Jumbos are two different beasts.

This looks like a very good opportunity to finally give you your wedding present - from a group of us who took up a little collection.  More on this off forum. 

cheers,
slack
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Rivers on February 21, 2004, 05:51:31 PM
Thanks Slack and everybody that contributed to the collection mentioned above. For those who don't know the story my bag was packed, trunk already gone, for Port Townsend, 1999. Then I decided that getting married was more important and cancelled at the last second.

The weenies put some $$ aside for a wedding present for us, I heard about it this morning off list.  8) Thanks! I have suggested a really good way to use the money that would make me very happy.

Back to guitars, the CEO-5 is getting good reviews on the Martin board for both flatpick and fingers. I abhor those gold tuners, they look totally naff to me so I'd flick them. Seems like the CEO-5 was a limited run of 250+ so there may not be too many around.

I notice it's got Gibsonesque fat frets which I like, once had a 60's J50 that I wrecked putting heavy strings on, loved the frets.

I hear what you're saying about the D18V- type guitars, I played the 14 fretter at the local Martin importer. It was a cannon, one of the loudest acoustics I've ever played. People were startled. But it looked like a bluegrass guitar to me. I haven't played the slothead 12 fretter version, D18VS, that could be the one. Who needs rosewood anyway.
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Slack on February 22, 2004, 07:04:10 PM
So where are you planning to shop?  Do you have some music stores lined out?  I guess that depends on what big citites you'll be visiting... yes?
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: waxwing on February 22, 2004, 07:22:56 PM
I'm with you on fat frets, Riv. That's what I have put on when it's time. About the mahagony dreads, I really think there is a tonal diff between the 14's and the 12 fretters. One person described it as the difference between playing a drum in the center (12 fret) or a little off center, due to the change in placement of the bridge. You might think that would make the bass louder, but I think it adds more depth to the treble. It creates a very balanced sound, which is very maleable and expressive. OK, OK, when you've had a guitar for 35 years you may get a little too close to it. Anyone else on this?
All for now.
John C.
Title: Re: 12-fret dreadnaughts
Post by: frankie on February 22, 2004, 07:30:15 PM
It creates a very balanced sound, which is very maleable and expressive.

The best sounding dreadnaught I ever played was a D-18S (called so at the time, anyway) that was hanging in the "mini-museum" at the Martin factory.  I couldn't believe it!  I was expecting some awful, tubby experience, but nooooo...  it was articulate, balanced, throaty and powerful.  Could barely put it down...  I still have GAS pains about that one.
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: waxwing on February 22, 2004, 08:05:25 PM
F- Alright, another great avatar! I don't know if I'll bring mine east next month, but it'll definitely be available for a little fingering at PT. Throughout the life of this guitar (i.e in college I used to walk around with it on my back?!?! It got it's share of dings) luthiers have said basically what you just said.
All for now.
John C.
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Rivers on February 22, 2004, 10:36:43 PM
Some people think that 12 frets give a more optimum placement of the various elements and I think I agree, for our kind of music anyway. I've heard it said going to 14 frets was a commercial move on Martin's part.

I veeery seldom go above the 12th fret on acoustic with one exception, so it's a no brainer. The mahog. top 000-15S has got to be one of the best value for money guitars around and perfect for CB.
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Rivers on August 30, 2004, 09:00:06 PM
Hi weeners,

Hope you had a good time up in Port T this year, was naturally sorry not to be there but hey.  :'(

To compensate for the misery this induced in me I had to go and buy a brand spanking new HD28V.  8) It did the trick, the neck, tone and volume make every other guitar I've owned seem like mere toys. Decided not to hang around waiting for an 'S' after playing this thing, and was having doubts about 12 frets anyway.

I'm so ecstatic I'm going to sell most of the rest of my guitars.

Rivers.
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Slack on August 30, 2004, 10:57:50 PM
Congrats Rivers and good to hear from you!
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Johnm on August 31, 2004, 12:11:56 AM
Congrats, Mark, on your new guitar, and it sounds as though it will be happy to go in your recent musical direction, toward the harmonic complexity of early Jazz.  Way to pull the trigger.
All best,
Johnm
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: frankie on August 31, 2004, 05:29:14 AM
I was wondering where you'd got to - congratulations on the new guitar!  Sounds like a beauty!
Title: Re: Martin HD28 VS
Post by: Rivers on September 01, 2004, 07:43:03 AM
Thanks guys, I'm stoked. As I suspected the breaking in phase is like a wrestling match or riding a horse, trying to keep it under control. That's what I wanted, something of a new challenge dynamically, adapting my playing style and exploring new sounds. Has everything I craved tonally, big, airy ambience when undamped, nice even balance across strings, sweet top and smooth bass, think Norman Blake's fingerpicked stuff on Whiskey B4 Breakfast.

Fretboard is fast and soapy, the ebony is a real treat for my fingers. Hammers, pulls etc are a joy. I've never seen a truer neck in my life, can fret two strings with one finger all over the board, couldn't do that before. Brings into range a lot of stuff I sort of played but could never quite nail.

I won't be touching the setup for a couple of months, it's a tad uppish being aimed at flatpicking I guess so the capo comes in handy for jazzy chord stuff. Having tone and volume to burn I'm going to be experimenting with nickel strings as per Merle Travis and am working on my flatpicking chops more than before.

And she's so preeeety...
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