Topic: Martin HD28 VS

[Rivers]

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

[Slack]

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).

[Rivers]

It's a thought. Are they a lot more expensive than CFM?

[Slack]

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. 

 

[Slack]

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.

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

cheers,
slack

[Rivers]

Darn, that confuses things. I'd have to play both. Mahogany is good. But I reeeally need a herringbone rosewood guitar for a change.

[Rivers]

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

[waxwing]

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.

[frankie]

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>.

[Slack]

Cool!  You can have a big honking Avatar and the software maintains its margins!  okay... back to bidness.

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.   

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

[Rivers]

Why a dread?

• I don't have one
• I confess I've been working on my flatpicking
• Jerry Ricks, John Hurt, Cephas, Johnny Shines, John Jackson, Rev Gary, Mance, Furry, Big Bill, Jack Owens all do/did good work on dreads and jumbos
• I figure something completely different is going to broaden my playing, exploring stuff that works, getting the beast under control
• Volume. In this life, louder is better
• Why not? One cannot have too many fine guitars.

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

[Slack]

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

[Rivers]

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.  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.

[Slack]

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?

[waxwing]

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.