Let's Talk About The New Martin GPCE Inception Maple (Our Initial Thoughts)

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[@inspirationoverload]

"This whole guitar could have been an email" - I laughed for a solid ten minutes straight.

[@gustavoloebel]

lololol me too!

[@gerrykavanagh]

Somehow it was decided that the only acceptable trajectory for business is constant growth. This guitar is the outcome.

[@olovyn]

As Dylan sang "He not busy being born is busy dying". Well, there is such thing as a stillbirth

[@benja1378]

That's lovely lovely capitalism for you 😅

[@django02]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for calling BS on the all the marketing crap they're dishing out. They're piling it high and deep. This looks like a repeat of what Talyor's marketing grease ball weasels did with their V-bracing.

[@rmzzz76]

Oh the V-class bracing marketing campaign was HORRIBLE. Taylor sent all their reps to all their top retail stores with give aways and brain washing... They went hard on influencers to say nice things. First week those hit store shelves I was in Fuller's Guitars in Houston, which is one of Taylor's premier dealers here. Tuesday morning, no one in the store. Me and the sales staff. I got to A-B test the 814ce and one of the 900 series, same model, both brand new, just different years. One X-braced, one V-Class braced... V-Class had more consistency up and down the neck, but with compromises to note decay and overall sustain. The X-braced versions just sounded better and I saw the sales clerks face turn red when I pointed this out. He reluctantly agreed with me, but the look said it all. He was confused, like a cult member finally breaking out a spell... Taylor guitars has no legacy like Martin and Gibson.. They bury their promotional artist pages because its full of players like Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift who abandoned their brand long ago for traditional or boutique builds. The only truly great acoustic player playing a Taylor guitar at this point is Leo Kottke and according to Spoon Phillips, Leo Kottke loves his Taylors primarly because the bolt-on neck lets him get a reset "before every show". Maybe someone should send Leo a boutique built with bolt-on! They are a company that must constantly project some new innovation gimmick in order to be relevant, so they over exaggerate in their marketing... As a business owner, I read Bob Taylor's bio and genuinely like the guy for his work ethic and factory automation genius. But one thing became very clear reading it, Bob Taylor and his company are all about making money and even the conservational work they give so much PR to always has roots in reduce overhead and controlling supply chain for Taylor. So much smoke & mirrors. Like the man, hate is company.

[@tcWildlife1]

Well, no actually. They're speculating that it's just marketing crap. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that a company like Martin has far more advanced ways to determine how bracing and wood combinations will affect the sound of a guitar than a tiny boutique guitar builder.

[@el34glo59]

​@@tcWildlife1Dam strait

[@karelenhenkie666]

I feel like those braces are a bold move, would be interesting to see how well they do after 10 years of seasonal changes.

[@susanroycroft89]

Yes Very good Question 😮😮😮

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

You might end up in holy hell

[@davidlemoyne6678]

THEY'D HAVE AGED LIKE THEYRE 20 LOL

[@TGriffiths-ve6nw]

Basically they have created trusses. Not a sparking new innovation. Often you will see big steel beams with round holes cut out of them to reduce weight without compromising strength. It's just engineering in its most basic form. It's not a bad idea if there is a need for it. It's still just a truss.

[@joshuapaulsen7414]

Guitar breakdown on this one would be sweeeeeeet. Can't wait for that. You guys are the best, straight up.

[@richardcramer3542]

If I'm gonna spend $4K on a Martin, it's going to be an already proven model.

[@charlesbolton8471]

It IS a proven model that has been successful for decades most people call it a Taylor 614ce. For what it’s worth, the Taylor is the exact same price.

[@karlcountry2363]

There’s no way martins new guitar sounds like a Taylor lol😂

[@howabouthetruth2157]

There are literally dozens of guitar builders/factories that produce $4k guitars ( OR LESS ) that'll blow ANY new $4k Martin clean out of the water. That's not my opinion, that's the fact of the matter. ME: 62 yr old highly accomplished guitarist/singer/blues harp/stage performer of many years all over east/central Florida........now "retired" from the club/lounge scene. I've been playing guitar alone for 50 yrs. Trust me when I tell ya: We are truly living in the golden age of lutherie right now. There are SO many phenomenal guitar factories, it's mind boggling. And let me tell ya something else: although I do love the GOOD Martins ( yet far too expensive, others are just as good if not better for less money )..........nowadays, Martin & Taylor both are screwing the hell out of people with grossly over-priced guitars that simply don't deliver for the price. By the way, I owned a Martin D-28 30 some years ago. I also owned a 614 Taylor that I bought new in 2005. After owning/playing/gigging with it for several months, I actually liked the sound of my 3 high end Japanese Takamine's better. I had to sell them all unfortunately, during that awful recession of '08 to save our home. But recently, I purchased 2 Hsienmo acoustic guitars only 3 weeks apart. Loved the first one so much, I rushed & bought the 2nd. Now I'm about to buy a 3rd. I'm here say: the world needs to be put on notice: Founder/owner Li Chen and his team of experienced luthiers are currently building the very best guitars in terms of value for your hard earned dollar. They cut NO corners & build even their lower priced models to the highest standards. And they need NO modifications "to make them sound better". My Hsienmo Custom Shop Grand Auditorium with 5A Adirondack spruce top & SOLID Honduran rosewood back & sides will smoke ANY new $4k Martin OR Taylor. And I only paid $2450.00......delivered to my front door with deluxe case. It'll take a Martin or Taylor costing well north of 10 GRAND to compete with it. Believe that. HSIENMO GUITARS. Check out their youtube channel & website. The word is spreading like wildfire. I only discovered them 3 months ago, and I'm having them custom build my 3rd one. That oughta tell ya something.

[@planetdigital300]

Taylor has same bracing as this in that model? @@charlesbolton8471

[@planetdigital300]

this isn't even a Martin - this is Frankenstein shiny object for marketing - the Martin promo video is like SNL for a luthier - full of BS

[@bobnancymiller4931]

I started using this type of bracing back in 2001 . It's another tool in the box but not really necessary , My bracing is designed to be both light and strong, without the mass of typical Martin's

[@el34glo59]

Lol sure. Ashame Martin doesn't have your brain. Just a bunch of idiots over there. Not like they invented the wheel or anything

[@Cali_Gypsy]

Kanilea has been using relieved bracing on their ukuleles since 2017 called Tru-r bracing

[@mjf1036]

Interesting analysis and some funny commentary! That 3 piece back feels like buying a new car but it only has 12k miles on it!

[@nathanbowman9771]

You two remind me that this world is a beautiful place with amazing minds - Please keep doing what you do!

[@jacqueschamma3045]

Can't wait to see the breakdown! Btw, what do you guys think of double tops on steel strings guitars ? I know i's not recent innovation but i'm really curious to know what pros think about it

[@planetdigital300]

who is even talking about that?

[@smandez2023]

@@planetdigital300 Jacques Chamma

[@TGriffiths-ve6nw]

Double tops were used in some French mandolins way back when. I have never tried one so don't know why they became a fad. Interesting to look at but foreign concept to me. What is the need?

[@jacqueschamma3045]

@@TGriffiths-ve6nw it's quite common in classical guitar (even in the US), apparently the top is lighter and vibrates more and it makes the guitar much louder and the sound is better from what I found. Very rare on steel string guitars but it does exist

[@TonyPelosi-music]

I’ll take some popcorn and a beer to watch this breakdown, Can’t wait.

[@michaelmauricio2244]

Bring the Japanese saw to NAMM and do the breakdown at the Martin booth! 😉

[@soundssimple1]

To me it breaks down to me that they have put more volume of bracing in then cut a lot of it back out. Why ? What is the volume left ? Probably the same as it was ? but hey it has a really nice pattern and therefore it MUST be better ? Martin Snake Oil. Just show us slo mo images of guitar top vibration tests !

[@LuthierFlying]

From an engineering point of view, why not carve the cross-section of the brace like an I-beam?

[@odblooded1]

I appreciate that they are trying to branch out into more modern alternatives, but I'd rather go Taylor or Yairi or the like in that case. I just picked up a new HD-28 reimagined specifically because the sound in my head was the classic Martin sound, though I know it's not for everyone it inspires me to play more and fit my budget. 4000.00 for that is a definite pass on my end, though I'd love to play one to see if the hype they are putting out is warranted.

[@johnandtessagillespie4138]

Martin put wood binding modern deluxe series guys. They are superb guitars.

[@GoudLoodje]

Problem is that this is not affordable, so people can’t test this new technology without spending a lot of money. I recently saw a Chinese brand called Hsienmo which has its own factory with luthiers and stuff, and they’ve got a similar bracing on their grand auditorium model which starts at only $1200, which though obviously still expensive, I think is a much more reasonable price for if you want to try out an unusually braced guitar

[@donaldklein8694]

100% agree. If this was a $1800-$2000 guitar because of all these years innovations, then that would make sense to me. But not $4000

[@jDominiqueS]

Another plug on HSIENMO GUITARS ... 😂 Waiting for the next one.

[@anekdilos1]

4K No Way!!! Love my Larrivée

[@JoseloBatero]

yes!! our prayers have been answer in the shape of a new driftwood reaction video 🙌🙌

[@davidanderson5509]

In addition, (or subtraction), it looks like they skipped the grain filler on the back and sides, and just sprayed a very thin coat of matte finish on the guitar. Probably adds some sonic value, but not much protection over time. Not to mention, they don’t seem to understand how to spray a proper burst. At this price point, I wonder if potential customers will accept that finish quality.

[@jordangunit3078]

Isn’t it funny how hard it is to improve on some of the iconic, winning designs that set the bar. I’m sure some will say, we choose the pre war dreadnought because it’s what we are used to hearing..nah, it’s just magical. I’m up for innovation. The guitar just has to impress me sonically/acoustically. That’s all. Sometimes it’s weird - people have tried to remake the violin for half a century and just can’t seem to make something people like better. Some people think you can’t get better than a Fender tube amp. It’s sure hard to beat, but Marshall and Vox innovation helped produce different voices. I personally just haven’t found acoustic guitars I like outside of a pre war x braced design, but that’s just me. I’m also not much of a Taylor fan.

[@LonesomeLeftist]

I know it's expensive, but I'd love to see guitar breakdowns on their most popular guitars (D-35 and D-28) especially as I'm about to spend a lot of money on a D-35. As they're their most popular models, I guess a lot of your audience would love to see the same. I'm curious on how much of the price is for the logo and how much is for the craft.

[@LairdDavidson]

Martin have been manufacturing some strange guitars recently made out of weird synthetic materials. I used to love the brand but now not so much. The marketing BS put me off this guitar so I'll take a lot of convincing that it's good and worth the asking price.

[@quigley4440]

My Hozen acoustic is solid maple B&S Sitka top - voiced like a mandolin. Incredible sound, warm and woody. Suggest you do a study of these Hozen guitars. Please looks them up.

[@intersanctum]

half of their web page isn't working.

[@halvach1998]

Martin could improve their bottom line by firing most of those suits, and appointing a luthier as CEO

[@LuthierFlying]

When I build a guitar, I like to carve the bass side of the X-brace so that when I play an Eflat13thflatfifthflatninth the volume doesn’t fall off in the fourth octave. So, if you buy that, you should buy the Martin right away.

[@86OEd]

Excellent comments!

[@WagesofGear]

Can't wait for the breakdown

[@Arthur-hg7ny]

2:43 just triggered my trypophobia. Thanks guys!

[@dantahoua]

Marketing! It reminds me someone one day gets the idea to "aged" a guitar and sell it more expensive than regular one because it is "relic"... 😊

[@chrisg5271]

This is rather confusing as cross bracing is to stop movement so one would think it would cancel vibrations that you want ?

[@Mike-hr6jz]

The solution would be the braces be made of carbon, fiber, light, but very strong

[@yamahamusicians]

Great video guys. I am sure it sounds fine but is it four grands worth? Really it is just marketing smoke and mirrors. Most of the value is in the branding. There is nothing ground-breaking with this guitar. I can pretty much guarantee that there are guitars on the market for half the price or even less that sound and play fantastically without all the marketing BS. I definitely look forward to your breakdown on this guitar at some point in the future 👍

[@bobbygipson542]

Just wish they would spend a little of that ground breaking research money to find a way to glue binding on that doesn’t pop loose in 4 months. Maybe even acknowledge it is a problem.

[@JamesMears76]

It would be interesting to see their computer models of expected resonance, if they have done it.

[@sortofcute]

well, I have to say. I've played on dozens of Martin's and I can tell you I've played 2 of the same model back to back. they are not consistent in tone or sound. However, I recently dipped into the $4,000.00 guitar range and bought a Taylor 614ce Builder's Edition and it has maple back and sides. It does lack a little bit of bass. The point I want to make is that this Taylor sounds BEAUTIFUL and I don't regret one second of the purchase. I have to say maple isn't so bad considering for the longest time I was a rosewood/mahogany B & S guy...IMH-non professional O. Martin isn't even on my radar anymore.

[@stevenkoppelkam643]

+1 for that rundown

[@dividedbytimestudios]

I’d love to see the breakdown

[@phanhuyduc2395]

A Vietnamese guitar making doing exactly the same bracing like this and it really sound great.

[@MrPagefile]

As the old saying goes, "A camel is a horse that was designed by a committee".

[@kapstersmusic]

Finally, my neck won't be so sore from all that weight of my acoustic guitar when I use a strap! Time to throw my D28 in the fireplace.

[@robmiller3464]

Good video. Trust your honesty.

[@hobbes4583]

Maple and walnut does sound delicious...

[@Puffer_fish_chan]

You should do guitar breakdown on a guitar brand from Viet Nam called Thuan guitar. They make guitars with designs similar to this new design from Martine. Some people consider this brand better than Taylor in the same price range.

[@jordanchastain5132]

This better be much better than my d28

[@DustinLaffertyTV]

I absolutely agree. These companies need something every 6 months for the NAMM show. LR Baggs does it with pickups, Bob Taylor Does it by building stufffrom what he sees from his office and giving it a name I.E "Iron Bark". Fender did it with the Highway series ( The world does not need another thin body acoustic electric). Disclaimer. Martins sc13 series is great! If Martin wants to sell more guitars, how bout lowering the cost of a D45 so they are not 10,500 dollars after tax, that's coming off an assembly line. What Normal Joe can't afford that or let alone explain it to the wife. 8) To me Gibson is a little more toned down when it comes to reinventing itself and there acoustic department does not do NAMM every 6 months. This inventing problems that don't exist is big right now in the acoustic guitar world. I think Walden has a chambered bracing system on some models for about $499. Rant over. Thanks guys

[@fedexnman]

Its NEW COKE lol . Martin is kinda stuck with the 18s and 28s . Stuck in a good way .

[@planetdigital300]

re Fender Acoustasonic - beg to differ - it is specialty tool for sure - and a huge waste of money for almost all - but for what I do - it really fills in the gaps - easy to play - beautiful woods - and with my bad back at 63 - can take one tool to a gig that can voice from acoustic to fender crunch - and because they didn't find mass market - you can get used American-made for $1k - that is fair price for this tool

[@randolphpatterson5061]

That POS has one redeeming purpose: It makes other Martins look like fantastic bargains by comparison. Rosewood or mahogany backs & sides, solid spruce tops, ebony boards, full gloss finished like they ought to be, standard or forward-shifted X-bracing, over $1000 cheaper, better-sounding, etc.. Plus, it'll save on production costs, since no one will want it, seeing as how every other Martin is BETTER for the money.

[@tomsears2471]

Certainly, Martin needs to be careful to protect their brand. Maybe they are, I don't know. There is no problem with using modern techniques. I did have the chance to to take a factory tour a few months ago and I was totally blown away. They were obsessed with doing, whether it be handwork or CNC, the best thing they could do to make guitars. Curiously optimistic here....

[@billboedeker406]

About why this guitar was made and Martin’s stagnant sales; perhaps it is to increase sales of their Standard series and Authentic Series? I.e., Why spend $4,000 on this modern Martin, when you can get a D18 or D28 for less. Or an Authentic for a couple thousand more.

[@anniballe3506]

If you want to see innovation check out Riversong Guitars out of Canada.

[@FXJunky]

I’ve been fortunate enough to actually play this guitar. It sounds nice. It plays nice. I will let you decide if it’s four grand worth of nice. It’s too rich for my blood.

[@MrLikeAsatellite]

I have seen similar stuff from individual luthiers decades ago.

[@darnright]

I'm still trying to figure out why acoustic guitars need to be lighter.....All of the acoustics I have been fortunate to hold and play are so light. I can see some bracing changes being done for sonic reasons only, but I also need to not have my guitars self-destruct under tension..... Love to see and hear more.

[@sandoncrowder7839]

There's an old idea in guitar building that you need to get the guitar as close to breaking as you can without putting it in danger. The thinner and lighter you can make the top and the bracing, the easier it will be for the top to vibrate. If the wood is too thick or if it has too much bracing it won't vibrate very well and the guitar will sound dead and one dimensional. Not sure if cutting the bracing like this makes any big difference but might as well try it out.

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

I made the mistake of buying a Custom shop martin HD28 used. Binding is failing slowly Martin won't cover costs unless I'm the original owner

[@wesleyhudson2028]

Follow up after NAMM and let us know what you think.

[@bluglass7819]

The back, I wonder what Torres would have said?

[@ricardosotosan2279]

Wait, lol, so is wood binding more durable than synthetic binding?

[@denyel_]

best martin i’ve ever played is a $350 X series from 2007. Thinner bracing!

[@UncleWiggy252]

Wow, truth to the wood binding! Decades overdue. I wouldn't bother spending $4k to "prove" what is obviously true! Weight saving? 1/8 ounce at best (probably how much reefer you got in the secret strap stash pocket anyway).

[@PMM4JC]

Got it from Ryan Guitars. In my opinion It’s not bad guys.

[@justinlouismusic]

Would like to hear how it sounds. I own a Martin 000 28 and can’t imagine a Martin guitar that sounds better than it.

[@eyeofamon]

Maple isn't a good tone wood? I've never heard any Martin dreadnought that sounds as good as a Guild F50.

[@russshaber8071]

The great thing about all these innovations is that they always lead to a bunch of "tribute" models coming out a couple of years later.

[@dmyers9230]

Spot on

[@theguitarschoollosangeles7064]

See you guys at NAMM ( Martin Press event)?

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

We are hoping to attend that Martin event. Got the invite, hoping our schedule allows it. Be sure to stop us to say hello.

[@darklink594]

4k you can get a really nice boutique guitar

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

nailed it!

[@PaulJohnson-jq9xw]

Ryan has made guitars with skeleton bracing before

[@madsdufke8643]

I would like to know what you Think of eastmann guitars.. i Got High end guitars and dont need any more😂 but i just Got a eastmann e10d tc.. eastmann’s d18 style. Impressive guitar.. not just for the Price. I like it more than a d18 standart.

[@planetdigital300]

4k! when I listened to Martin's promo video - it seemed like this would be 1750 to 2000 - when I saw 4k on Reverb - it was icing on the cake of this Frankenstein nightmare for luthiers - and what is worse - is many will buy the BS

[@ericecklund676]

Martin for some reason is trying to capture the Taylor 814ce market share. But the 814ce has a really nice radiused Armrest, that the Martin doesn't include. For $4,000 I'd much rather have a used D-18 GE that is a Martin instead of Taylor knockoff that just wants to sound like a Martin.

[@1-eye-willy]

yalll should talk about the taylor urban woods

[@waynzwhirled6181]

Thank you for this excellent video. To Martin: Thank you. I'll stick to excellent affordable guitars like Yamaha and others. "Rash coming out of COVID"? Ouch!

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

I JUST BOUGHT ONE AND IT SOUNDS TOO MAPLEY TO ME. I'M THINKING ABOUT PUTTING IT NEXT TO MY FIREPLACE OVERNIGHT. THE THOUGHT PROCESS HERE BEING MAYBE IT WILL SOUND A LITTLE WARMER WHEN I PLAY IT LATER THIS MORNING.

[@mpojr]

l have not played a martin that sounds as good as my LL TA Yamaha

[@Mikefarwell-67]

sorry to see a great American company loose it's self in BS quazy new -tech, Why spend 4 grand on a BS guitar when you can pick up a proven history rich D-28 for around 3k...but then I 'm more than happy with my 1996 Guild Jf 30, Ive played many guitars, the only guitar I would trade for another guitar would be a D28

[@kennethbransford820]

=== Isn't the top responsible for 90% of the sound where the side and back supply only 10% of the sound? ====

[@seanbarker4610]

Seems like BS to me, why not make a Baritone versions of the D5? It would have an actual niche, this is for Collectors.

[@davegott8412]

They are not passing the cost savings on to the buyer. The Sunburst is clearly used to hide the fact that the environmental soundboard‘s have defects …. If that was untrue why not offer it without Sunburst… and they are using cheap Tonewood without passing on the cost savings to the buyer. Given the use of maple without voicing it’s clear why they sell the guitar with an electronic pick up because the acoustics of this guitar would not warrant using mics in the studio… The electronics are supposed to make up for the lack of guitar quality…. Instead of voicing each guitar to gain sonic quality, the factory answer is to slap on a centerpiece of walnut to the back, which further reduces cost by minimizing the size of maple boards…the guitar sounds horrible… and no gloss finish to boot, talk about Cost cutting , I wish they would pass on some of their profits to create a fund for the repair of binding , my hd 28v binding keeps coming off to the extent that I can’t put it in the case😢

[@azcharlie2009]

You two hit the nail on the head. The board room. Just look at business everywhere in the US. Full of idiots trying to engineer a better world. Instead they've made the world worse. It's time to get back to common sense.

[@LuthierFlying]

I don’t like it when you saw guitars in half, but for this one, I think it will be justified.

[@scottfishkind5335]

I have, in addition to my Furch Yellow Master’s Choice, three Walden Guitars. Walden has been using low mass bracing (similar concept) since their 2020 relaunch in their 500 and up series. Walden’s happen to be very nicely built and great sounding guitars at an affordable price point. I chose my first Walden over a Taylor 214 for half the cost. I think Martin saw what Taylor did with their gimmicky V-Class bracing (terribly thin sounding guitars, I easily chose Furch over Taylor) and decided to have their own bracing angle as a marketing tool. But they are charging serious money. I think Walden’s design makes more sense than Martins to be honest.

[@darylld]

The bracing reminds me of the design of real-world bridges. The ones built to accommodate movement while withstanding loads and forces. I'm interested to know what a structural engineer would say.

[@scottakam]

It's a variation of the boring old I Beam from 1849. Take most of the material and move it to the outside of a taller beam. You end up using less material to achieve the same moment of inertia (strength).

[@disqusrubbish5467]

Well real world bridges (highway kind) are designed to not vibrate. Guitars need to vibrate.

[@architypeone8646]

Those braces are going to crack. A round hole will withstand vibration and seasonal changes and movement better than a hole with square or sharp corners. They have created weak points with those little "X's" instead of round or elliptical holes as was shown in the Ryan guitar braces. It's the same reason windows in airplanes are round or have rounded corners. Square or acute angles at corners do not take movement well, and they crack when things move or expand. If you say "why do steel trusses on bridges have have sharp angles?"...the answer is those connections are designed for movement and vibration and steel is ductile and can flex and bend quite a bit and return to it's original shape....wood grain is directional and does not have the flexural and shear strength in relation to it's cross section that steel has.

[@OssianEMills]

Who’s willing to pitch in $4K so they can cut it in 1/2?

[@halcooper3070]

I'd chip in

[@eyeofamon]

If not you, then move along.

[@lekstacy2073]

Riversong uses skeletized bracing in their more expensive guitars. Guess when they beat out Martin to win the Musical Merchandise Review Dealers' Choice Awards in 2022, Martin executives took note. I would rather see you two do a breakdown of a Riversong guitar with their neck-through design.

[@BeauHannamGuitars]

I couldn’t agree more with everything you both said. I’m ambivalent about two of the 3 elements, but the “Sonic channels” will keep repairers in work for decades….

[@leelossi1257]

I'd love to hear you play it and judge it fairly!! It didn't sound that good on their demo

[@robotsongs]

It sounded and looked like a Taylor GA.

[@timothyvanhorn7618]

They turned the tonewood slider all the way down and the gimmick slider all the way up, adding labor and technology to justify the price tag.

[@django02]

This is a great way to summarize it.

[@markpell8979]

Because five pounds is just too heavy. The burdensome excessive weight has always been what's kept me from buying a Martin. Now that they've come up with a gimmicky way to cut a few ounces, I'll gladly fork out $4K for one of these. Thanks, Martin! 😂

[@jasonhemmerlin6139]

Can’t wait to see you two saw up a $4000 guitar. Guessing it’s priced that much because it’s inexpensive to make and they know it won’t sell well at that price so when they chop the sale price in half people will buy em up and they’ll still make a good profit. People buy Martins because they’re Martins. Basically every other company has copied their designs. You buy a Martin you want the original.

[@TheWallyDad]

I just bought an HD35. Love the sound, love the neck, but heck yeah - plastic binding and plastic bridge pins on a $3,400.00 guitar??!! I loved your final comment on their finally using a wood binding. My $500 Seagull and $1600 Eastman both have wood bindings!

[@texhaines9957]

As for maple, what's wrong with a Gibson SJ-200 or Taylor 614ce-618ce? There are also walnut backed guitars. The SC-13 was "new" and not so bad. But I like my D-28s VTS (12-fret). We'll see. Thanks

[@inspirationoverload]

You guys just covered LITERALLY everything I was going to say about this guitar. Could have listened for another day.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Thanks man!

[@lorisgiovenco5545]

Hi guys. I consider myself an electric player. But since I've bought a Larivee OM9V I've changed my mind on acoustic playing. The difference in feel, in the overtones, in how the dissonances sound...now I'm enlightened. The difference between good acoustic (I had a good Seagull dreadnought) and a GREAT one is immense. I feel like John Mayer and create new songs just following the sound that the instrument suggest me. (I wish I coud sing or write lyrics like JM!!!). P.S. please, please, DON'T cut a Larrivee in half ;)

[@whimpypatrol5503]

I thought you were on to something and thought I was understanding legit tonal aspects of an acoustic - in regards to overtones (for staters) - when it comes to getting beautiful chords to shine until you mentioned JM, the last showman I would consider a picker, a jazzster, a bluesman, or any kind of a guitar virtuoso.

[@intersanctum]

@@whimpypatrol5503 Joscho Stephan, Tommy Emmanuel and so on, and on.

[@garylee3145]

Cant say I agree with the concept. The real question is does it improve Sound, Strength and Longevity? Strength is in the grain not the pulp. Punching a bunch of holes in it would require the brace to be taller to make up for the sectional loss of the grain. Infact Chris's point of proper heigth bracing and "voiceing" would be much more of an improvement but that would require Martin to roll back the assembly line mentality. Frankly I think your pregame assesment is spot on. Sales gimmic by Exec. staff after strolling through someone elses attemps of innovation and marketing hip to counter Taylors V Brace hip, another not so new idea. Wounder what Gibson will come up with...?

[@planetdigital300]

this video was perfectly-timed - as I am in a Facebook luthier forum making these EXACT SAME POINTS - boom this video validated it all - but I assume you won't touch WHY Martin is doing this BS piece - why it is priced at 4k - the company hired an idiot stooge as CEO - and this is result - the entire Martin promo video seems so disingenuous - and bingo on the comment that even if you don't play - the skeleton'ized' bracing will just have cool factor