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.
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).
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.
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.
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"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it." George Bernard Shaw
“Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.” Joseph Heller, Catch-22
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>.
Cool! You can have a big honking Avatar and the software maintains its margins! okay... back to bidness.
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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!
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.
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.
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.
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"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it." George Bernard Shaw
“Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.” Joseph Heller, Catch-22