Martin Guitars Top 10! | The Ten Things You Should Know About Martin Guitars before buying one!

[@sdfswords]

I own all the food groups, including Taylors and Gibsons, but my Martins are all special with a warm tone that just grows with the years.

[@MaestroPrep]

I started playing guitar at 10 years old.. Never owned a "quality Instrument" before...My go to, for decades, was a Fender DG20s ( for reference)... Now at 53, I have just received my Martin HD28. I am shocked at what I have missed out on over the years... There is most definitely a difference!! I simply play better, BECAUSE the quality of the guitar. Better sound and ease and playability. I am no where in the universe of a "good" guitar player, by any means... But I sound better, want to play more and lament when I am not playing... Not something I had with my Fender of 30 years.....

[@imonw3b]

You are crazy! Martin HD-28 cost about $3,700!!! 😅

[@MaestroPrep]

@@imonw3b Yes.. Approx that much... However, I figure as my last guitar purchase ( ..perhaps... I do like the Guild D55)... Playing since I was 8..... Wanting a "Real Instrument" of quality, wanting reason to play more and not blame my cheap guitar for my playing.... and in a place in life where ... I can do it.... It was worth every penny! Someday I hope to have the skill to take it out of its case everyday and play it! I hope I am worthy of it... I love this guitar and how easy it is to play and sound good.... I am however afraid of scratching it and causing wear.. LOL!!! Even with my limited skill.... However... When I do play it I feel it even more so... There is something different in a quality instrument that isn't really explainable... Like I say... They tend to play themselves... if you can get out of the way!

[@Atlas_Mohler]

Fenders are great

[@qua7771]

@@imonw3b Still cheaper than most hobbies. I play electric, and my amp cost that much. I don't think an instrument you can bond with for life is something to cheap out on. You can piss away more money over time on cheap crap that never seems to satisfy. You can always make more money. You'll never get back the time you wasted. If your happy with a more budget friendly option, then that's fine too.

[@robertkelly1434]

I feel ya', man. My everyday guitar is a Briarwood (Peavey) six, that I retrofitted with a Fishman Presys Blend preamp. I love that guitar. Yesterday, I was in a local music store, and just happened to pick up a Martin D-18, worth just around 3500 bucks. I was astonished that the difference in sound quality could be so great! There were other guitars in the shop, worth four and five times the cost of my Briarwood, that sounded no better (some even worse), but none of them came even close to that Martin. So now I'm looking at my budget, trying to figure out how long it will take me to save up that three-and-a-half grand. 😏😏😏

[@christiannebailey6857]

Bought my first guitar this year (a Martin 000-10E). It's one of Martin's more affordable guitars but still not cheap if you are starting out but it was important to me to get a good instrument that had a great sound, was well-made and would grow with my ability to play (I'm done 'fighting' bad instruments!). I really love playing it and it sounds better every time I play it; probably because I'm getting better at playing it - not that difficult if you start from scratch :-). Would recommend them to anyone.

[@GrumpyOldJim]

I've got the same guitar (an earlier model 000-RS1). The road series are amazing guitars for the money. They are the real deal - that Martin tone and build quality. And, weird as it might sound, it smells fantastic!

[@thefireslime-mc1041]

@@GrumpyOldJim did you get the all sapele or mahogany top? And is there a noticeable difference between it and the 000-15m?

[@austincastro4727]

TheFireSlime-MC I recently bought the Sapele and had it for a week before taking it back. Didn’t feel good to me. Went to trade it in for the Spruce top but ended up picking up the 000-12E Koa and fell in love. Spent a lot more than I was wanting to pay but it’s been well worth it.

[@Stofanaklifts]

Grew up in Nazareth, PA and toured the facility as a 5th grader many of years ago. Been playing guitar since I was 10. About time I make my first Martin purchase!

[@oldcougar65]

Got my D12-28 during the Vietnam war. Some poor guy was being sent there and needed to sell his guitar, I guess. I couldn't possibly afford it, but the dealer just said, "Strum it once." I strummed it, and I had to have it. It took my old 12 string plus 3 weeks wages, which was a killer to me. I've had it ever since. It's still beautiful

[@budg8522]

Years ago I asked Martin to make me an 8 string acoustical guitar. It took several months and cost five grand. It’s magnificent. Its rich sound and quiet beauty have given me years of great pleasure in spite of my tragic inability as a guitar player. I expect my grandchildren…undoubtedly more talanted.. will agree when they play it.

[@OnBendedKneeMusic]

I love my Martin's. I have a 1995 HD 28 and a 2004 HD 35. Absolutely great! I also had a Taylor 718e that had a great neck, but I just didn't bond with it. Taylor's are good, but there's something about the Martin's low end I really like.

[@PohakuhauoliKepoo]

Aloha my friend I inherited my Grandfather’s Martin guitar whom I am namesake after my inquiring mindset on learning its history. Mahalo Nui Loa ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@martinman4540]

I have a Martin D16 RGT. Absolutely love it.

[@stevenkaeser8583]

I’ve been to the factory, and have have four Martins that I love.

[@Godskingdomwithin]

One.very important suggestion I would make concerning buying yourself a Martin guitar, is do not order your guitar online, and make sure you can pick up the model you are interested in and play her before you buy it! Not every guitar is made the same, even though they are the same model. I have an 1989 HD-35 which I love, but I have played many a HD-35 through the years, and maybe 2 or 3 were as nice as mine. Several of the ones I tried, were just not of the same quality as the one I bought in Sam Ash back in 89’. So, take your time, and shop around until you find the guitar of your dreams. I knew I was going to buy the one I own, after two or three strums of the guitar-it was magic! She cast her spell on me! ;)

[@garfieldrupe630]

I have two chances of going to try out a Martin Guitar. Slim and None. More none than slim

[@brians9278]

Thank you, Chris. Fun and informative, as always! I own both Martin and Taylor. I love each for different reasons! So blessed to have the tonal variety at hand!

[@captainamerica9353]

If he didn't mention it, Martin's tend to have high actions from the factory. If you are buying from a guitar store, you have to ask to get it lowered. Other than that, great guitars.

[@markallen381]

In the early 1970's a friend brought his Martin 00-18 with him to our house. I think the guitar was built in the early 1940's. The sound to me was as if I could hear every string individually, nice, clear, full of energy, no muddiness. It was then that I wanted to own one of these someday. But I have been on there website many times and has led only to confusion. My most expensive guitar today is a Gison vintage LP which I am incredibly happy with. I can make any kind of sound with it, but I have a very crappy acoustic. Ha! Somersworth, NH.

[@gavinmarlow3545]

You can’t go wrong with a D-35. I love mine

[@420scene]

I'm in the market for a new acoustic. I used to have a cheaper Martin like a decade ago and I'm looking for one for recording music but also for going to the park and playing in different places. Thinking maybe the D-18. I've played a bunch of different Martins at music stores, and love all of them.

[@bobkaufman9263]

First, Martin started in NYC before moving to Nazareth. I love my Martin guitars. Started with an HD-28 and my last one is a custom. You cannot go wrong.

[@xacquip9341]

To get the custom that you have, did you just write to martins guitar what you wanted?

[@Frank-pe9pk]

In 1972 after a electric guitar lesson I was going to buy a D28. I had saved the $650 but my teacher had some time and said wait. He blindfolded me and picked 2 guitars. Playing both I, to my surprise didn’t pick the Martin but a vintage Ibanez 645T D28 copy. No serial number. Same design and exact tuners all for $250. I still to this day, my go over an older Taylor. Much warmer sound. About a year ago I took to a shop just to check the setup for first time. I repair man, an older gentleman like myself, commented it played as good as his Martin. My only regret is the 1970 Martin would’ve increased in value much more. Only regret!

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks for sharing! More people should do a blindfold test!

[@AchillesWrath1]

$650 in 1972 is equivalent to about $4600 in buying power today. You can buy a used '72 all day for around $2000-4000. A new one is around $2800. So based on an investment technically you would have lost money in buying power. Great guitars but not a great investment unfortunately.

[@kayracan3663]

Paul McCartney played a d28, he actually played it in Blackbird too.

[@embmargiotta4706]

Martin guitars are the best sounding acoustic with warm bass tone and smooth high notes

[@JS45678]

I’ve put so many miles on my gorgeous mahogany Martin OMC-15M orchestra body acoustic/electric since 2018. I love the Fishman electronics especially playing through my Fishman acoustic mini amplifier and at Church. I just lowered the action a few notches and she plays beautifully! Speaking of the Martin X-Bracing System of the Martin guitars, just got my first 12 String Taylor 362ce last month and it has the shorter scale length and the V-Bracing system.) Love them BOTH but Martin is my primary always! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@vanceox]

According to Martin’s website, the didn’t start making steel-string models until about 1900, and then only as a special-order. The 1st standard steel-string model was the 2-17 in about 1922.

[@dxcman1]

i have a x series and even though it is not an expensive Martin I'm always amazed on its tone. I took it to a shop to have a set up and the first thing the tech said when i picked it up was "the neck on that is fantastic". I have other acoustics that I really like, but when I pick it up it just plays like butter.

[@AlamoMusic]

Very nice!

[@createmos369]

the most buttery of butters

[@Atlas_Mohler]

I have an x series as well and it’s perfect!! I gotta baby it, though, bc of the laminate back and sides.

[@noahgraham4615]

Buyers guide 2019 😊

[@geol3713]

I’ve had a Martin GPCRSGT for about a year now and it’s a great guitar. I was thinking between a Taylor or Martin but I noticed that Taylor solid body guitars start at about 1500 dollars I think. I was able to get my Martin for like 999 dollars and it is all solid and built in the USA . I double checked my serial code and all that and it was confirmed to be built here. So price was I chose the Martin. But the taylors I played were great too. I own a seagull mahogany s6 and I’m by no means a Martin fan boy but the guitar I got is really nice in the sound and quality and I really like it 👍🏽

[@ComicKish]

Seagull uses glue so I passed

[@banjoist123]

My favorite Martin story is about what might arguably be the most valuable guitar in the world. The Mark Twain museum has his original OM-45 Grand Marquis from 1880 something. Twain's own guitar, aside from just being an extremely rare and valuable Martin, in the original coffin case is the original bill of sale with MARK TWAIN'S SIGNATURE! A curator was asked by an interviewer how much it was worth, and the guy was genuinely offended that he should even ask. "How can you put a dollar value on something like this??" On a personal note, I was a member of the Front Porch Boys in the 70s with Robert Earl Keen, who sold me his 76 D-35. I still have it. It's as crappy a guitar now as it was then (which is why he sold it to me). Martin kind of lost it's way for a while there, but then so did Gibson.

[@Yoda8945]

A decent luthier can probably do wonders for your D-35. There were some made in the 70's with incorrect bridge placement. Also a guitar can be voiced for better sound. Gibson lost their way for many years, starting about 1965 and continuing until they got the problems with bad finish resolved on the early Bozeman acoustics.

[@Perfectly-unperfectly]

Iv wanted a Marin guitar all my life and yesterday brought my very first Martin Smith aciustic guitar.

[@MrPanpanam]

:D

[@SaltShack]

Tony Rice’s guitar was first Clarence White’s guitar. It was never modified on purpose to the larger sound hole. The original collectors, father son, duo who were buying up prewar’s at pawnshops garage sales and anywhere else they found them including this iconic guitar that had a damaged sound hole. So they simply enlarged the sound hole to get rid of the damage and the rest is history.

[@AlamoMusic]

Very interesting!

[@em4888]

I was at a restaurant recently and there was acoustic live music there, a musician was playing guitar and singing, I listened to the song and said to my dad “that’s a martin, it just sounds like one” then I realised that from where I was sitting I could se the guy playing but I could only see the guitar body but at first glance I said “yep, that’s a martin for sure” and then I tried to go a little to the side to see the headstock and when I saw it I said “I knew that was a martin!”

[@rickyauman676]

Hello Chris, I’ve had the pleasure over the years of HD-28’s, D-18v, but my latest ( March 10, 2022) is a Martin 00-15M. I love this guitar! I am a disabled Veteran with skeletal issues and it just works for me! Now, school me. Who is Lester Scruggs? 🤣

[@PantheraOnca60]

Earl Flatt's better half. 🤣

[@stevenkaeser8583]

I love my Martins, as well.

[@franklinarchambault5397]

A martin is on my to buy list

[@marcscordato4385]

I was a card carrying Taylor guy the sound is crisp and clean with a great mid range punch . Then I got bit by the Martin Bug. I just prefer the rich warm sound of the Martin . A V braced Taylor will not sound as rich and warm as an X braced Martin

[@dennisoneal4694]

Really good coverage of Martin Guitars. Kept my interest. Thanks

[@Strato13]

@ 4:21 Ibanez AC340 (OOO-15M copy). I have one, it is beautiful, as is my Martin D 10-E Road Series. But I still plan on getting my much sought after dream guitar.. a Martin OOO-15M StreetMaster sometime down the line.

[@sforbes5]

Fantastic video on Martins. I've always been able to get some new tidbit of information from Alamo Music videos. I've also had the privilege of visiting the store on a couple of visits to San Antonio. Each time, I was met with friendly, welcoming staff. Keep up the great work!

[@paullevine1813]

If you have not made it out to the Nazareth factory it a great tour & well worth going. I own two Martins one a DC Aura & one from my uncle which is a 1950 0021. The 21 has never been touched for repair & the only thing that has been changed are the strings. Still plays awesome & the wear is just from years of playing. Great guitars & it's no wonder everyone copy's them or try's to. Many talk price but most all these so called boutique guitars cost as much or more than most good Martins.

[@soyeux27]

Great video ! Thank you so much !

[@dangitbobby0001]

Love my OMCPA4 and my 00-15M.

[@keithspillett5298]

I have an 001XAE, and I love it. Even though it's cheap, for a Martin, there's no mistaking where it's come from. The thing sounds fabulous, and other guitarists are always praising its sound, both acoustic and electric.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Martin is professional level design and manufacturing. For best value...check out the used market.... you will save 50% off list price. That's how i found my D28 Custom Shop... It's my Forever Guitar!! Thanks Alamo

[@richardelliott8352]

I think a very important quality that was missed, perhaps because the presenter also sells other brands, is that Martin has a sustainable rare wood program, where some other manufacturers just consume , presumably until all rare wood isl gone. I was impressed that on my particular guitar a computer used fuzzy logic to analyze the wood grain using memory files gathered from thousands of guitar top undersides, to then carve a preliminary shape, to be passed on to a human to do the final shaping for tone. Thus giving me a break on price by incorporating a robot, almost doing an apprentice's work , in part of the production, but I still get the result of a craftsman's hand in the final product. I believe my series, a commemorative series with two made for each Sam Ash music store, was the first production to use the robotic rough shaping of the top. Because Sam Ash started in New York and there was something going on with the statue of liberty in the year when the guitar was released, it has a small inset in the headstock of the Statue of Liberty, if you look closely and kind of guess. Otherwise it looks kind of like a bird dripping, but plays flawlessly, much better than the store model on display when I ordered the last one, which was in another stores inventory, which was discounted on close out sale. I knew I would get lucky with the instrument, just had a belief, and I got a good one.

[@terrytosh7678]

Thanks, Chris. I love the tone and playability of my GPC! Hope to visit one of your stores someday.

[@VaughnFelixMusic]

Loving my Martin....

[@haderhamdan3264]

IM MAD ABOUT MY D1R.

[@VaughnFelixMusic]

Hader Hamdan oh yeah. What happened

[@Larry-go8bg]

I have played many great and beutiful acoustic guitars in my 47 years of playing music but the best sounding acoustic guitars lve played are definitely Martin guitars. lve played some D45s which lve always wanted but could never afford one but have 2 D35s that have an incredible sound and are beutiful to play. Some people like the small bodied guitars but if you want the big fat sound especially on the bottom end you have to have a dreadnought Martin and in drop D or open tuning you can't beat Martin's for delivering that magical sound. Most of the greatest players play them because they are the best from Tony rice playing bluegrass to Neil Young and I recently watched Joni Mitchell playing a BBC concert in the late 70s one girl with the voice from the heavens playing a Martin in open tuning out of this world. 🌏💥💫👀

[@peetyw8851]

Great presentation, Chris!

[@Godskingdomwithin]

Very cool, informative video!

[@lovewalruss]

Great stuff as usual. Thanks. Love your vids.

[@PotPoet]

The C. F. Martin & Co. guitars are awesome. I own four Martins myself. The first claim made here in this video is inaccurate. Martin made its first custom order acoustic guitar with steel strings in 1902. The first non-custom order steel string guitar sold by Martin was the test market they did for their 0-18's that came out in 1918. The test market in 1917 was a limited test run of 17 guitars made completely of Hawaiian Koa wood. (They also sold the same model in mahogany with gut strings.) The steel stringed koa model was marketed through the Southern California Music Company and was given one of their model numbers, Model 1350 koa. I own one. It has the Martin name stamped on it. The very first steel string flat top guitar was sold by the Lyon & Healy Company. The rosewood model was called a Washburn (after Healy's son). The mahogany model was called a Jupiter. These were on the market between 1895 and 1915. I own a Jupiter model. Martin did NOT come out with the first steel string flat top guitar. They just made a much better one than Lyon & Healy. Martin made the real first steel string guitar that was made by Lyon & Healy sound like a toy by comparison. I own both, so I know. My 1917 Martin 1350 koa came with correspondence between Mike Longworth of Martin and a previous owner of the guitar, Jim Milne (the original bass player for Downchild). Both my 1917 Martin "1350 koa" and my 1895 Lyon & Healy "Jupiter" are in excellent playing condition.

[@ronmarvicsin7709]

My very first Martin was HD-28. I loved the smell each time I took it out of the case. Thats the only reason I put it in the case to open the lid and ohhhh how sweet. Then I bought a 1929 parlor guitar. The bridge pulled off so I had to send it out to be fixed but when it came back that little guitar belted out the sound like crazy. I had to let her go due to carpal tunnel in both of my hands :( I did buy a Taylor cut away with all Koa. It’s perhaps the prettiest guitar in my opinion. Looks don’t make sound, of course. But then I also bought a 2004, D41, Dan Fogelberg signature series guitar. Omg. I played the Taylor next to the 41 and there’s a difference there but I’m not educated or have that good enough of ear to explain. Just I would say the Martin has more deep throaty sound. Ahhh you know what I mean. Enjoy

[@ukeplaya1]

Excellent video!

[@CLH126]

Charming chap! I learned a lot. Thx (Subscribed)

[@BigBirbzMusic]

Thanks for always making great reviews! Also before people jump on it, your title may need to be edited. "...Ten Things You Should Know***..."

[@oldmanofcotati]

Chris, Great job. Thank you.

[@scottperry8162]

I loved the Taylor video you did about the top 10 things I've been waiting for this one thank you Chris!!

[@douglasboyd8475]

Best guitar reviews out there

[@PhazurGaming]

I'm a local in SATX, looking forward to stopping by! So what I got from the video is they mostly all produce a warm sounds? (I'm looking for a George Strait, Johnny Cash sound), everything about the designs and wood is all personal taste and style?

[@redzippio386]

Love this video. Greetings from Germany.

[@gilleslarose373]

One word : EXACTLY !

[@HiggaionSelah_EWFMG]

12- fretters are The Best steel string guitars ! Open headstock and wider nut width even better !! Martin's are wonderful ❣❣ Dreads > high° dislike 4me (atleast their appearance /box shape) took a while to get over my phobias of pick guards, shaded tops, and cut aways; but Dreads, sorry just can't do it 😕

[@stevenkirkpatrick7258]

I agree with you. I have 2 of them. A 000c nylon 12 fret and a 00028VS 12 fret . They are both cannons that sound like a piano or organ .

[@nicolen.9642]

I wish I had Alamo music here (France). I have a 000-15m Martin...she's sweet...Cheers! 🎵🎵🎵

[@100perdido]

Je suis desolate mais je ne parle pas beaucoup Francais..J'ai un D18. I visited France many years ago and I love your country. Come to the U.S. and we will drink wine and tour the Martin factory. Bonjour

[@troutfishinggermany9186]

This is such an awesome video! I almost spilled my coffee because of that banjo-joke 🤣. Unfortunately you are a little too far away, i would love to visit your shop!

[@nick1512]

Get a Martin because they are worth every penny. Even the MIM Martins are amazing.

[@lynndalozano7161]

Anyone what model guitar he's carrying within the first four minutes?

[@palely6976]

Lynnda Lozano it's OM body shape with rosewood back and side

[@guanweihe7614]

Probably OM/000 42 because of the ornaments

[@garymcaleer6112]

Good post. Ten grand is a lot of money to spend for the top of the line custom shop. But the quality of woods, abalone trim, beauty and tone is top notch. We starving musicians can only dream. But we're never jealous when someone takes out a bank loan to get one. :^)

[@bsontrop]

Yup. The Martin sound-hole (standard; traditional) does seem smaller than the Taylor guitars which you feature in another video. What's the difference in sound QUALITY : projection; clarity of tone; sustain, "feel"? Tony Rice must have had a real reason for increasing the diameter of his custom-made Santa Cruz guitar. I had bought a Martin HD-35 just to get good at playing bluegrass rhythm guitar. Am in the process of restoring and "ancient", dried-up Chinese "Burswood" dreadnaught hacker. Just for fun. Is there any hope? Well, I've got all the best tips to work with from KZbin, though "closeness" only counts in horseshoes, hand-gernades, and friendship. Thanks for uploading.

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@jonjeffries3265]

Tony Rice got the idea from Clarence White who had an oversized sound hole on his Martin 35' D28 ser# 58957. Look up fretboardjournal.com58957

[@tomdaoust]

Good video. Thanks.

[@TheTrollMastah]

I mean there were archtop acoustics with added floating pickups waaaaay before Fender was even making guitars or were even in business

[@noname1st139]

So if you had £2000 or $2800 would you buy a new Martin middle tier or would you buy a used top tear? Or would you buy a different guitar? I'm interested in getting a Martin but I want to make the right choice if I'm spending all that money 😬

[@guanweihe7614]

2800 for a D28 is already top tier tho Any more you spend on that it’s going to go into small details / ornaments You can’t go wrong with anything over the 1500€ price tag

[@Yoda8945]

Go to a real music store, play the guitars and buy the one that speaks to you. If one doesn't yell "Buy me!!!", keep looking.

[@noname1st139]

@@Yoda8945 so it's been a year,I had a revaluation on the guitar choices, I decided if I'm spending that I need to be serious about learning so I saved my money during lockdown & bought Epiphone LP Custom pro,& the Epiphone EJ200 , totally blown away with the electric guitar, the action don't need altering,I got the can't put it down bug with that, however with the acoustic,not so lucky,I bought it after the electric hoping I'd have the same luck,I couldn't try it as lockdown was still about, anyway the action is crap, high, Paul ferro fingerboard which only now is feeling better, horrible at first,I put 11s on it and it's nicer to play but needs work,I use it for open tunings so I plan on getting a proper guitar within the Next year or so, Taylor or Martin,or the best Yamaha guitar's, I've read good things on them since This 👍✌️

[@Yoda8945]

I am sorry that you had a bad experience with the Epiphone EJ200. It is unfortunate that the action is not pleasing as that is the last thing that I would suspect on such an instrument. Being in the recording business for the last 40 years has given me a lot of experience with jumbo flat tops and not much of it was good. They tend to be boomy and muddy. I much prefer Dreadnaughts and even smaller guitars for a cleaner tone. I have a Martin HD-28 that is a bit of an outlier as it is quite bright. This comes back to my original premise. Compare guitars in a back- back situation and take your time at it.

[@noname1st139]

@@Yoda8945 it's not unplayable, it's just not giving me the bug like the electric guitar, I'm sure if I give it to a good Luther he'll make it better as I have seen musicians use them eg Richard Ashcroft, Noel Gallagher, so I guess they have their uses, unfortunately where I live the nearest decent guitar store is like 50 miles away, online killed everywhere off so going in trying before you buy Will Only get worse for musicians,if I were to buy again i would have bought a used Martin, Taylor, but hey ho, I've gotten a use for it with open tuning so it's not all bad,use it for some slide too,👍

[@dmar3651]

11. Martin, just like Taylor, makes guitars in North America Only. These guitars are made either in their Nazareth PA Factory in the US, or in their Navajoa Factory in Mexico. These are the ONLY 2 places where you can get a Martin guitar, so if you see a “Martin” guitar from China or Indonesia etc. avoid them, as they are pirated, and poorly built. 12. CF Martin &Co. is to date, the only “B Certified” Guitar company in the world. (B Rating is a NPO that certifies how environmentally friendly a company is.) They are certified as the most Environmentally sustainable and conscious guitar maker in the world, and this is due in Large part to their usage of Richlite and HPL. Richlite is used as a substitute for Ebony on the fingerboard and bridge and is FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified as 100% sustainable. HPL (High Pressure Laminate) is used in the Backs and Sides (sometimes Top) of their X-Series guitars. The HPL is made up of All the leftover pieces of wood used in the construction of guitars (whether small wood chips or saw dust) and these pieces are compressed under high heat and pressure to make Laminate wood sheets. The plant that makes the HPL has a cooling unit that Martin installed which Greatly reduces emissions into the atmosphere. (And its installation was Not Cheap). In the end, Martin ventured to ensure that nothing would be wasted in guitar construction.

[@BrianWMay]

Asian culture produced quality stringed instruments when the only occupants of North America were the 'Indians'. Now if we're talking (only) pirating the name, I'd agree with you. Plainly wrong. But don't knock Asian quality just because of that, they build some exquisite instruments of all types. By the way, I own two guitars, both Martins bought from new, D-28 and 000-28, I'll be keeping them until I depart the planet horizontally.

[@irvinkelso8189]

Ritchlite is ground up tree roots and cheap junk mixed with epoxie. Chris is a nutty tree hugger.

[@dangitbobby0001]

@@irvinkelso8189 there's nothing at all wrong with richlite. It's smoother than a fender Maple fretboard, will never warp. He may be a tree hugger but this was a good move for the company.

[@dangitbobby0001]

@@irvinkelso8189 also, calling the CEO of a guitar making company a tree hugger is an oxymoron. Plenty of trees being felled for guitars still. When they start making one completely out of richlite,. Then complain.

[@fernieboy6195]

Ok I’ll subscribe now 🙌

[@donaldholman9070]

I appreciate the history...but it is hardly anything that should help me in choosing one. Like.. what shapes of necks are available..what woods are available?

[@joebloggs8636]

Pftttt...

[@kissfan1701]

I know it’s a long list Chris but I can’t believe you didn’t mention Johnny Cash when you were naming names

[@sc12100]

or Jimmy Page.

[@AlamoMusic]

We did two takes because my camera man coughed. I did the first time. Doh!

Cash is a gibson man. So is Jimmy predominately. Martins are great! But overpriced. A brand new d28 retails for 8 grand. Bare

[@RM-eo3uu]

@ Johnny was known for playing Martin guitars. He played a Gibson guitar very early in his career but established himself with Martin guitars in the early 60s and stayed with them virtually for the rest of his career. On his ABC television series, Johnny played a Martin d-35s that was customized by Randy Wood at the original GTR store in Nashville, that later became Gruhn guitars. He also played a beautiful Martin d-45 that was used on the soundtrack for Sunday Morning Coming Down. That's why Martin Guitars has a Johnny Cash Model. By the way, you're way off on the price of a D-28, it retails for 3500.

[@sc12100]

@ 8 Grand? Thats not US currency then. They go for $2899.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

Chris, please let me know when I can pre-order my 200th anniversary Martin - 2033 model!!! Agree that art is subjective, but I can say with a substantial amount of confidence that 99% of us have the same eye for Martin's idea of "art", and we steer clear, lol! 🐰❤️🎸🎵🤝✌️

[@zackwhite-tl9xc]

What martin guitar was the first one?

[@Moonshot568]

I Have a great acoustic collection... none of them compared to the sound of my Martin D41

[@JohnGigante0214]

Cheers Alamo, which Martin Geeetar are you holding in this vid?

[@JohnGigante0214]

Actually the beginning of the Vid..

[@marilyngriffin4183]

I have a D-15M. What category does this guitar fit in?

[@lesterross1]

Did that Lester Scruggs guy play with Earl Flatt?

[@TucsonBillD]

In a word... yes.

[@robertnewell5057]

Dang, I just saw the video and was going to make that comment. Lester Scruggs, indeed. I also love the big names missing from the list: Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Stephen Stills, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Neil Young, Vince GIll, all big hitters. You even managed to miss out possibly the original signature guitarist - Gene Autry.

[@del1rn]

LOL !!!

[@oahukane]

What about the 13th Fret to body guitars? As in SC10E?

[@jonathondenton3376]

What is that 000 in the first part of the video?

[@AlamoMusic]

OM-42

[@rosssteuck4989]

Great info thanks.

[@neilold6804]

High Thogh you seem to be into the various types of martin guitars here my question What does the suffix w/cs at my d-45 mean? Geetings and thank you Uli from germany/spain

[@kimoandrews5802]

Is it true that you guys have a storage room in the basement of the Alamo?

[@jimmygrant3151]

I had a customer bring in a Martin D18. Beautiful guitar. The top has a slight arch to it. A straight edge layed across the frets, hits the bridge about 3mm below the top of the bridge. It's a brand new guitar. Dont these instruments have flat tops, and isnt the straight edge supposed to land on the top of the bridge?

[@lawsonlawson9806]

History is cool but it's about which maker is making the best now!

[@NunYa953]

Let me save everyone some time: 1-10: Martin makes the best acoustic guitars...PERIOD.

[@NunYa953]

@@daveredcay7066 Seriously, there are some great guitars out there. Nothing compares to a Martin. And it's not even close. Martin guitars even smell better!

[@mikegoh2569]

Enjoyed this video about Martin guitars. Thanks.

[@donaldotsig6818]

I have a martin steel string guitar its all birch about 50 years old sounds like a bream. Its in mint condition what would this one be worth as my hands are so bad now i can no longer play thanks

[@jacknixon1553]

Why doesn't any comparison of Martin lower bout tones (especially to Gibsons) ever mention Martin's 3 1/8 inch bridge placement from the sound hole (vs. Gibson's 2 3/4 inch placement) as a major contributing factor in "The Martin Sound"?

[@thomashalley7258]

I like martins because the low e string doesn't ring out like a plucked string like other guitars. Its hard to really explain if you haven't played it yourself.

[@dmar3651]

YES!!!!! Thank you for making his video!!!

[@ThePonDePon]

I love my martin

[@kdavidwhite8376]

the dreadnought body shape was actually designed and first built for Hawaiian bands to keep up (volume wise) with the other instruments (mostly mandolin) in the Hawaiian bands.

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

As cool as Martins are, the history of Steel-Strung guitars is a bit Murky and Martin doesn't even enter the picture until the 1910s. Steel strings were originally sold as a louder, sturdier alternative to the gut strings common at the time, meant to go onto pre-existing instruments made for gut strings. Similar events were happening in the violin (fiddle) and banjo spaces about this time as well (1890 or so). These were popular with poor and rural audiences as they promised volume and durability, both important for the style and environment of playing at the time (dances etc). This was actually so common that a mid 1890s Sears instrument catalog stated that using Steel strings on Sears (Supertone) Guitars voided their warranty. However, by 1900, this warning was gone; the guitars wee being built slightly heavier (though still very light-weight) and the very thin ladder bracing improved. Additionally, Gibson was also offering their early archtop guitars in both steel and gut configurations (I am unaware if there were any structural differences or if it was simply different fittings). Of course, people had been trying steels on Martins; and obviously due to the fan bracing (or very light early X bracing) they could crumple. For this reason, around WWI (it's hard to pin down a date) the Martin company began taking orders for steel-string versions of most of their guitars; with some models (Like the O-28K) being intended for steel strings from the get-go. Gibson was also responsible for the 14-fret neck; though AFAIK Martin introduced it to Flat-Top guitars.

[@jerrypruden887]

Love my 2017 D 28

[@viking6476]

Might mentón some other famous Martin players: Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, John Prine, just off the top of my head. In fact the first black Martin was made for Johnny Cash. There is also a John Prine signature model but only 75 were made.

[@leinonibishop9480]

Here’s a few more: Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. It might be easier to make a list of people that don’t play Martins.

[@taddflatt]

Ruh-roh; at 7:21 he says Lester 'Scruggs' - it was Lester Flatt on guitar & Earl Scruggs on banjo! Sorry, I couldn't just let that go.

[@VidarLund-k5q]

Lester Flatt had his very own style of rhythm guitar.

[@jocika022]

Martin guitares (all solid body) have a neck isue after some time because of the way they are constructed. I still love them but be aware of this. Problem is that neck reset is expensive and complicated.

[@judsonh1949]

Martin will pay for a re-set on an instrument that you buy new. They did it for me on my new D-18. I’d be interested in knowing the oldest Martin for which Martin has paid for a neck re-set.

[@Blkojo]

@@judsonh1949 Five years is as long as Martin will cover a reset.

[@lancecourtney3900]

Martin problem.... my DC4PA has to have the neck reset and it’s only 3 years old. Bought it at Guitar Center and they couldn’t do anything for me. Basically said it’s not our problem.

[@steby123]

Easy on the banjo pickers!!

[@fwm4christ]

Oh, I don't know...I play both guitar and banjo and sometimes while playing banjo I want to shoot myself. D-)